Little Mo Nationals

My dad, my mom, Emo, the youngest brother, Zachary and I set off on our way to Austin on Friday, because My brother Emo and I had a Little Mo tournament, the 21st Annual "Little Mo" Nationals! We left Houston a little around noon, because we were attending the Lil Mo opening ceremony which was held that Friday evening at ATA (Austin Tennis Academy).

​Everyone playing in this tournament was divided into age groups. I was in the 11s because my birthday just passed on September 20th! My brother was in the 9s division. Every division was going to have a small "practice" with a coach there at ATA. Our coach was Abigail. She was hilarious and she made all the games we played really fun for all of us. After that, it was time for pictures.

where am I?

First we had to take a picture of the different divisions, then we all came together to take a group photo! A photographer got onto the roof of the building and took a picture of us throwing the balls up in the air! Sorry, let me rephrase that. He took a picture of us throwing the tennis balls at him!

After that, they lined us all up and started marching around the courts to the song, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor! After a couple circles around the courts, we stopped. A man came out with a microphone and told us to say our name and where we are from in the microphone. When we were all done we all sat down in front of the net and listened as they introduced the director and other very important people that made this tournament possible. 
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Then after that, a real cowboy came and did some amazing tricks with his rope! He also had 2 guns with real bullets that he fired 2 times!!!! He talked to us about being a cowboy and his childhood and it was very interesting to listen to!
After the ceremony was over, we stayed and played some more tennis the the friends we made today. We had to go because my brother Emo wasn't feeling good and it was getting late! See you tomorrow!

my brother Emo and I...❤️

On Saturday I was supposed to play at 11:00 a.m. But, instead, we got delayed all the way until 6:00 p.m.! I was tired of the rain just pouring down and delaying our matches! I was dying to play! Then finally at 6:15 I went on court and started my match.

My first opponent was Olivia Golhar. I stayed very patient and consistent to figure out her weaknesses throughout the match. I stayed as aggressive as possible, trying to take the all on the rise most of the time! I won 6-1, 6-0. This was the only match I was able to play that day. I figured it would give me a boost for tomorrow's matches! I prayed that it wouldn't rain tomorrow. I hope I didn't just jinx it...

very nice courts □, but rain □

It is Sunday and we are delayed, again! Delayed all the way until 1:15 p.m. So, we went to a Italian restaurant for lunch and I had some amazing ravioli. After that, I felt very energized! I was upbeat and ready to play. We went back to the courts shortly after, and lucky for me, I was called to start my match.

My second opponent was Jastine Escamos. In the first set, I started slow and consistent, grinding it out until I won points. In the second set however, I had to bump up my level of play. I started attacking and making sure I was hitting the right shot and the right time. I accelerated more and hit harder and harder. I was able to limit the errors even though I hit some pretty risky shots. I won 6-1, 6-2.

I had my next match in 2 hours so I had some time before I start. I ate half of a subway sandwich to give me a boost before my match. I walked around with my friends observing matches. I felt calm when I was hanging out with them. They were really supportive before I started my match. Then before I knew it, it was my time.

had an interview with local media! □□

My third opponent was the number 1 seed, Aspen Schuman. We started off the match hitting our hardest shots back and forth, back and forth. It was a little into the match when we started mixing up some different shots. During the entire time, from the beginning of the match to the very last point, I could feel that I wasn't the one in control. I was reacting to many of her shots. However, I started to alter my plan and started going to the net more. I won most of the points when I was at the net. It was still difficult to create the right shot for me to attack and transition in, but that was my personal challenge for this match. Sometimes, when we had these very long rallies, when I would suddenly got control, I got freaked out that I would have "an opportunity" and I think that I have to win it with a winner. I missed most of those anxious-ed shots because I was thinking that I had to win the point right away when I should had set myself up for an even better shot with better positioning. Well, live and learn: I lost 3-6, 0-6!

I had one more match to play and I was playing for 3rd place. But I was going to play this match tomorrow morning. I was very eager to play again in the next match because after how I played with Aspen Schuman and lost, I felt I reflected on my errors in a way that would help me, not hurt me. I was ready to improve on these errors. I was excited for that reason.

it's a work in progress! □

My fourth and final opponent for this tournament was Journee Henderson. The weather cleared, and it was so hot out too! This was a very tight match. We both had our own surprises. We both stayed very consistent and we had very long points. I was able to gain a bit of a lead mostly because I was the one mostly in control of the rallies. But I had my errors every now and then. It got very tense in the second set, (I had just won the 1st set), I REALLY did not want to go to a tiebreaker. I could tell we were BOTH very tired and exhausted. I was struggling with all my might to keep the ball back in play and stay in control. I did a lot of pretty risky choices that, luckily, paid off. But too many unnecessary risks.  

As I was sitting down at my bench during the change over, serving for the match at 6-5, I got really nervous. I thought, "OK. I am not going to miss a single shot. I don't care if she hits harder than Maria Sharapova in this game, I am not missing." We started the game and she hit three unforced errors. It was 40-love match point for me and I told myself I will not let go and relax until the last shot of the match. I stayed consistent and waited for my opportunity...a short ball on the ad side to my backhand appeared, and I went in taking the backhand winner down the line! I had won 3rd place with a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

​While Mrs. Cindy Brinker was talking to both of us, I was thinking of how ready I was to improve myself. I held my trophy in my hand, and I was thinking what I will work on at practice. I'm not joking. I was listening to her talks, but the voices in my head were also talking me to be a better tennis player.

No disrespect to you, Mrs. Cindy Brinker, I heard everything you said!

Thank you for a great tennis experience!
Karina Zaharieva

Thank you, Mrs. Cindy Brinker!