Image courtesy of Chase Sapphire
After I wrote my piece about the upcoming Thanksgiving tournament options, I realized that I neglected to mention that, at least in the Southern section, we also have a designated tournament (sectional L2) that same weekend competing with the Eddie Herr qualies, the L2 National Selection tournaments, and the L4 Open Regional tournaments. What’s interesting about the designated tournament is that it is worth the same number of sectional ranking points as both the National L2 and L4. What’s even more interesting is that the draw, at least in the B18s, didn’t fill in the designated, meaning that several players will get a first-round bye, making it an easier run through the draw for them. Add to that the fact that the designated is being held indoors which means all matches will be played regardless of the weather. The same cannot be said for the national L2 and L4 events. Of course, we’re hoping for good weather in Montgomery, but, this time of year, it’s certainly not a guarantee.
My son briefly considered pulling out of the L2 and entering the designated instead even though it’s a 7-hour drive for us to Louisville AND it would mean celebrating Thanksgiving at a hotel instead of at home with my husband. We got caught up in that whole point-chasing thing again – would it help my son’s chances of getting into Winter Nationals if he played in Louisville and went deep in the tournament as opposed to playing in Montgomery where the field is much stronger overall? Should he potentially sacrifice quality of matches in order to earn more ranking points? I couldn’t believe we were even having those conversations again! Just when I thought we were done with the point-chasing game . . .
Thankfully, my son decided to stay put in the Montgomery L2 tournament where he’ll likely get some great competition plus have the opportunity to play doubles. Thankfully, quality [of matches] won out over quantity [of ranking points]. Thankfully, we’ll get to spend my son’s last Thanksgiving before college at home enjoying our favorite holiday foods. Thankfully.
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