OAKLAND AT MOUNTAIN VIEW-FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007

Write-up by Mark Johnson  

Photos by Kingston Gee

The Mountain View Marauders with its impressive 5-1 record faced their toughest task to date as they host the undefeated Oakland Lions.  Sean Lee, Joey Hu, and Henry Sit will attempt to defend the Marauders home turf against an imposing Lions lineup of Freddie Gabriel, Jackie Lee, and Avishy Schmidt.

Freddie Gabriel (Oakland) vs. Joey Hu (Mountain View)   

JOEY HU HAS PLAYED CLOSE MATCHES WITH HIGHER-RATED PLAYERS IN LEAGUE PLAY.  

The opening match pits Freddie Gabriel against Joey Hu.  Joey has an impressive 3-1 singles record in the league to this point, but now faces the top rated player in the league in Freddie.  Freddie --- he of the awesome forehand and mediocre (well, for his level) backhand --- uses three serve and backhand loop winners on his way to taking a 9-2 lead in the first game before coasting to an easy 11-7 win.  But at 4-4 in the second game , Joey takes the next four points to lead 8-4 on his way to his own 11-7 win.  But that is Joey’s last gasp as Freddie dominates the next two games 11-4 and 11-7 to take the match 3-1 and give Oakland a 1-0 lead in the tie.  

FREDDIE GABRIEL REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN LEAGUE PLAY OVER THE PAST TWO SEASONS OUTSIDE OF HIS MATCHES WITH JAMES GUO.

Jackie Lee (Oakland) vs. Sean Lee (Mountain View)     

SEAN LEE STARTED THIS SEASON WITH A 6-0 RECORD.

Mountain View placed Sean Lee in the second match in the hopes of getting a rematch (and revenge!) for his match against Freddie at the All-Star game.  Instead he will play Jackie Lee --- herself coming off an impressive victory over Sara Fu there.  The first game was tight throughout with scores of 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 7-7, 8-8, and 9-9.  Sean got the first game point at 10-9 only to watch Jackie deuce it up with an edge ball winner.  Jackie got her first game point on a fast down the line service for a clean winner for a 13-12 lead and took the next point to win the game 14-12.  The second game had a similar start as the first but Jackie edges ahead 8-5.  The two trade points after that so Jackie wins it 11-7.  Sean dominates early in the third game and takes a commanding 8-3 lead.  But Jackie takes the next three points to make it 8-6 before the Marauders call a timeout.  The timeout has the desired effect as Sean takes the next three points to win the third game 11-6.  The fourth game is similar to the third as Sean moves out to a 7-2 lead and maintains that advantage to win the game 11-5 and tie the match up at 2-2 and take this important match to a fifth and deciding game.  This time it is Jackie that gets the early advantage at 5-2 but Sean fights his way back to a 5-6 deficit before the Lions call timeout.  The timeout also works for them as Jackie goes on to extend her lead to 10-6 and wins on her first match point to take the game 11-6 and the match 3-2.  Oakland now leads the tie 2-0.  

JACKIE LEE WINS THE BATTLE OF THE LEES.

Avishy Schmidt (Oakland) vs. Henry Sit (Mountain View)

HENRY SIT LOOKS TO PULL OFF AN UPSET OVER AVISHY SCHMIDT.

Avishy is in thorough control throughout this match and takes it easily in three straight 11-6, 11-7, and 11-7.  This is a case of the two players just playing at different levels.  The Lions have swept the first three singles and now lead the tie 3-0 and are threatening to shut out the Marauders.  

AVISHY SCHMIDT HAS PLAYED WELL IN ALL THREE SEASONS OF THE LEAGUE.

Freddie Gabriel/Jackie Lee (Oakland) vs.  Sean Lee/Henry Sit (Mountain View)        

SEAN LEE AND HENRY SIT LOOK TO PULL OFF THE DOUBLES UPSET. 

The Marauders pair is determined early to extend the tie and take a 6-2 lead in the first game of the doubles.  But the Lions pair whittle the lead down to 10-8 and fight off two match points on their service to bring the game to deuce before taking it 13-11.  The Lions pair control the next game leading 5-3 before winning 11-7.  The Lions pair then imposes their will on the Marauders pair with a comfortable 11-5 win in the third game to take the doubles match 3-0.   

FREDDIE GABRIEL AND JACKIE LEE ARE UNDEFEATED IN DOUBLES.

The top team from the North Bay--- the Oakland Lions --- thus thoroughly dominates the top team from the South Bay --- the Mountain View Marauders --- with a convincing 4-0 shutout victory.