MCCTA JULY OPEN (Jr, Ad, Sr, SS)

I had an Open tournament on July 15, 2017. It was called the MCCTA July Open. My draw was Co-Ed Round Robin format.
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My first opponent in round 1 was Michelle Martins. I’ve always wanted to play her, although she was taller and older than me. I didn’t care about the size or the age, I’m always up for a challenge! I chose to serve the first game. I started off really bad. I kept on hitting on the frame, hitting out, and in the net! My shots were a lot weaker than usual and my attacking shots would go out or in the net.

Katiana and I practicing positive self-expression! ;-)

I don’t remember moving a lot or mixing up my shots. I went to the net about 2 times, that’s it! Although my volleys had a lot of angle and went to the side pocket which were all clean winners! I lost the first set 1-4 but I didn’t give up the game was still going! I did a lot better in the second set. I won most points because of her errors because I wasn’t as careless as I was before. I won the second set 4-3! I couldn’t control my emotions in the tiebreaker. I was excited, nervous and a whole bunch of other emotions! That affected my game the first 3 points, BOOM, in the net. I lost the tiebreaker 5-7. I lost the match but I knew we would meet again in time.

Checking in with Amir and Michelle. I know...but I'm still growing! :o)

My second opponent in round 2 was a boy named Derrick Ingram. He was not afraid to attack, and neither was I. I would attack whenever I could with a lot of angle. I won 4-3,4-2!

My third opponent in round 3 was Amir Adejumo. I was looking for clean winners. I got a lot of clean winners because of my attacking shots. I needed to work some more on them for more speed and depth. I won 4-0,4-0!

I got second place in the tournament, but I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t have that fighting spirit in me like I should. I need to find it a keep it locked up inside me and be ready next time opportunity presents itself!

With love,
​Karina Zaharieva