The second tournament of the year was located at the Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri. It was a nice facility consisting of an old gym and new gym with wooden floors, temporary nets and an eclectic array of lines from numerous sports. In fact, in the only game we lost in men’s doubles (Alex Talbott was my partner), it was pointed out later from spectators that the opposing team played the first six points using the basketball end lines which were three feet inside the end pickleball lines. Needless to say….we had a hard time keeping shots in and their serves were on us pretty quick! Eventually the opposing team noticed this but failed to share that information with us. Regardless, we won second place and it was our first tournament together. Alex did a great job!
Missina and I played in mixed doubles. In a bracket that was supposed to begin around noon we began sometime around seven or eight p.m.. The tournament had also advertised that there would be a concession stand throughout. It had sold out and was closed by eleven a.m.. A hungry team of us is not the best team! Regardless, we hung in there. Many teams left due to the delays which added to the chaos and confusion. We eventually lost and we were both happy to get in the car and drive home. In hindsight we should have left much earlier along with other teams. We had nothing left in the tank.
For Alex and I it was a good first try. For Missina and I it was a disappointment, but we learned that it is better to bring more food and drink than you need…..than not to have enough. Every experience is a learning one! On to the next!