Kimi AKA Bubbles

Nationals May 29

I would be the Women's Open Champion if I didn't have to leave on Saturday and come home to work on Sunday. I am playing the best I have played all year and after beating Adrienne and Vivian, there was no one in the way from claiming the title.

I didn't play well against Brenda in the Qualifier, for that I was disappointed, I just didn't handle her serve well. There were some nerves but not too many.  I had a great time in Houston and I had friends that won their divisions, so I am happy for them.

 I want to take this opportunity to thank Randi for the continous support and love to get through the season. to my coach lorraine who took a gold and a silver. Congrats and thanks, to my fans, thanks for everything, I will be playing all the WPRO stops next year and national doubles and singles. I am dissapointed with Houston, but with the wins over viv and adrienne I know I am ready to move up and to keep improving my game.

I am going to work hard over the summer and play alot of outdoor. And do you want to know a secret??? come back on July 1st to find out!!!

May 29, 2007 | 3 Comments

Miami Preview Mar 05

So, it's about time we get to go somewhere warm. Sunny Miami!!! Looks like from the player list I'm the 13 seed and I get to play angela on Friday night at 5pm. I enjoy playing her and I intend on not skipping my backhand as much as I did the first time I played her this season. It will be on racquetbllonline.tv so, honey, I hope you can watch. I am injured though so I am not expecting my best performance. I pulled my shoulder last wednesday night pretty bad. I went to the gym tonight to see how it felt adn it hurt ALOT. I wound up playing lefty just to maintain footwork, court sense and traking. I am looking forward tot he nice weather. I have to teach on Sunday so I have a late flight on saturday night. I am not playing any other divisions b/c of my shoulder.. Thanks to my boo, family and friends for all their support this season. and by the way I'm now ranked 16.. Yipee

Mar 05, 2007 | 8 Comments

Denver Summary Feb 14

What a great event. I met so many people, MNPers and local Denver players... Jean and her staff did an incredible job with this evnt!!! KUDOS!!! I can't wait to go next year!!! As far as playing, I had a rough travel day including a 6 hour wait in Chicago and got in 11:30pm on thursday night. I need got a chance to acclimnate to the conditions. My frist match was against Kristen, I was excited to play her. I lost the first game 11-4 as I was getting use to the conditions. The ball flew!!! the second game I had serve at 11-10 and then the nervs got the best of me and I lost 13 -11. I changed my style of play for some unknown reason, I played very tentatively not the aggresive style that I am used to playing, I lost 11 -5. I met my mixed doubles partner ten before before I had to play on friday night. We won our first two rounds. the second match of the night against bruce and cindy was alot of fun and it was close 14 and 14!!! Saturday was team format day, singles and doubles. I took third in open singles and me and barb together took first in open/A dobles. In open singles, I lost in the semi's to my friend Michelle Earl, she played great, I had just reffed the Rhonda,Kerri match immediately before I had to play, I was so tight and didn't get my ritual half hour pre matchwarmup... it happens, but I was warmed up to play Kara and beat her in two... Mixed doubles on Sunday was a blast, we beat the number two seed then beat the number one seed. I put on a show and made lots of fans :) Thanks to everyone that made this event a success! Thanks Hun for all your support.  I know its hard when I go, but I know you're cheering me on from afar and you want me to reach for my dreams. Thanks to Shannon and Candi - you know why, Thanks to lorraine - great coaching, we're getting there!!! See you all in Toronto.. Oh yeah BTW - In case you weren't sure I AM A PROFESSIONAL RACQUETBALL PLAYER!!!

Feb 14, 2007 | 3 Comments

Denver Preview Feb 03

It's almost time to go to the mile high city... Fortunately back in my triathlon days I knew tricks how to perform at high altitude and you better believe I am going to use those strategies now. I am a little unhappy about the schedule of event though. When I bought my airline ticket I was under the impression that the round of 32 was on friday afternoon... welll that was changed and the round of 32 is now being played on Thursday night. My flight gets in at 5:30 and I have to play at 7... Not ideal circumstances, but I will be fine... I am playing in the all day womens saturday and I will be paired with a local for mixed doubles. I like playing doubles for fun, I think its a hoot... I am changing my playing schedule for the week b/c of the thursday night first round. This week, I am not going to play on wednesday night, I'll probably hit for an hour (drills and skills) but definatle not play. I'll workout Sunday as well which is usually my day off. I'll miss my boo in the snowy city but I heard they are having a warm temps when I will be there. I am hoping for a 13, 14, or 15 seed, I know most of my friends will be there so I'll probably get a 15 spot... I'll probably play into a top three player in the second round as usual, I gotta get out of this spot, it is limiting my progress or I have to start beating them... soon, I will beat them soon... any how wish me luck, this will be my fifth event of the season, toronto, miami and new orleans will close out the year, then it;s off to nationals in Houston. I have regionals and NJ state singles in between. I am very happy with my year so far... Love ya boo...

Feb 03, 2007 | One Comment

NY Update My weekend Jan 21

This past weekend was the IRT Pro Stop at Syosset, my home club. In addition to watching my friends play and all the pro's play and making new friends and watching them play, I also got to play.... I know I didn't post after the Seattle Pro Stop, I was upset... I had a migraine the whole weekend and I could not focus. I did not play well and I screwed up as a ref, I atoned so no stones, thank you... Afer two weeks of solid training to get ready for Denver, I was able to play at the local stop. I did not make it to Stockton, I had a previous engagement... But I still got to play, and play I did... Three divisions, Women's Open Singles, Women's open doubles, and Mixed Open Doubles. I had some pretty big wins, it was a successful weekend.... I finished second in every division, and the one there is no one else in the world I'd rather lose to than my friend Aimee, whom I believe is probably one of the greatest women players ever.... She played awesome ball, kudos to you aimee!!! Thanks to my boo who came out to watch me play and supports me and my ambition...My parents also came out to watch me play the finals this morning, It was great that they came to watch... I'm getting ready for Denver, 3 weeks, but tonight I rest, tomorrow, I train... 

Jan 21, 2007 | 4 Comments

Seattle Preview Jan 01

Okay, I've been hurt, resting an injurfed ankle. My boo taking really good care of me :)... I played three or four times since the accident in Virginia. This past Saturday, I was able to get on the court with my friend Aimee and really push on it and see how it was. It was fine!!! Yipee.. I got new court shoes (New Balance) for the holiday and I Started breaking them in... I am excited about this trip b/c I have never been to Seattle. I will be playing women's open in addition to the Pro Division. I do not know the draw as of yet, but my focus is on the first match. I won't make the mistake that I mae in Virginia again... I am hopeful of an 11, 12, or 13 seed... That would get me out of playing rhonda in the second round again... I'll be able to take her, I just need more time to develop. All the girls have been playing for a while and the younger girls developed through the juniors. I am at a disadvantage only playing 13 months with a 7year hiatus... Happy New Year everybody!!! When I see the draw I will add to this post... I am playing tomorrow, and wednesday. I fly thursday... ALL DAY LONG....

Jan 01, 2007 | 4 Comments

Injury = A week off :( Dec 13

As per my coach, I am to take a full week off from playing to give my ankle time to heal. At the time we will re-evaluate. I am going nuts sitting at home watching tv when I should be at the gym. Rest is important under these circumstances though. It's natures way of saying "hey kimi, you need  a break and an opportunity to get strong" Seattle is in 3 weeks. have to be ready... Currently ranked #22 in WPRO hopefully I'll get  a good draw in WA and a seed around 12 or 13. this 15, 16 seeding has me playing rhonda in the16's. I love playing her and I will beat her soon but I need to practice playing the other ladies if I am going to beat Rhonda... For now I'll watch tv and envision playing....

 

Guess what, I have to take another week off. i tried to hit on saturday morning and my ankle was still sore after about 30 minutes of hitting by myself... I am taking another week to rest :(

Dec 13, 2006 | 2 Comments

Virginia Summary - A loss is a win... A win is a loss Dec 10

Ladies and Gentlemen,

   It has been proven that a win can be a loss and a loss can be a win. On Friday I played my first round match at 2:30 vs Laura Brandt, a great competitor that puts everything on the court. Her game has improved since I played her last, but I made the mistake of under estimating her. This mistake almost cost me the match. I could write a post just on this match alone but there was alot of rball for me to play in VA... Laura took the first game 11-4, the second was close but she pulled it out 12 -10. I was down 2 games to 0. I could not get going... in the third game, she was up on me 7 - 0. I looked to the ceiling and  said, "ok, I get it, I learned my lesson, never ever take a match for granted" Then I gave a lesson on mental toughness! I won the third 12 - 10, I won the fourth 11 - 6 and the 5 went to 9 -9 for 6 rotations of serve, then I scored two points and won the match 11 -9. I jumped and yelled out in excitement. I had pulled it out. This was not a good win... Rhonda, I played very well. it was a losing effort but, rhonda played her hardest she won 6,5,5. I just need my time. I keep playing into her in the 16's. This was a good loss... Seattle is my next event I also know I moved up in the rankings, I don't know how far yet.

  My first round of open singles I played Veronique of Canada, I won 13 and 11. THis was a good win, I played very well. Mixed doubles at three went to a tie breaker and we pulled it out.

  This is when my tournament took a turn for the worse. at the beginning of the first game, I rolled over my right ankle and hit the floor. a bad sprain... I stayed on the cort for this semi final doubles match and could not move. My partner was lights out and got us to the breaker, we lost. this morning I had my semi final  open match against TJ, i lost 5 and 7 could not move. I was depressed on the ride home. I am lying here in bed typing this and it hurts, it's sore.. looks like I am taking a week or more off :(

  Thanks to RHS for your supprt and love as I travel the country playing the sport I love. It's great to always be able to come home to you. Lorraine for your guidance, I will not let you down, top ten is a comin'. Tom, sorry i let you down next time I wont get hurt.. lol, great event Karen!! Shannon, thanks for the great job that you do. Ladies - see you in Seattle!!!

Dec 10, 2006 | 8 Comments

Virginia Preview Dec 05

I get to play Laura Brandt in the first round. A win would pit me against Rhonda, girl, am I looking forward to playing her again. I am leaving Thursday afternoon and getting to VA about 3ish in the afternoon. I'll relax a bit and then head to the gym to hit a little and watch some of the doubles. Currently I am ranked 25th overall an in this tourney I am seeded 15th. I'll hit the courts friday morning at 10ish and hit for a half hour. I have a two thirty first round match... 7:30 is the evening session. I am playing mixed doubles as well as open singles, I am not sure what time those matches are yet. doesn;t matter, Iam focused on Laura. I played her last season at national singles, I won 3, and 5. I also played womens doubles against her this year. she played with Sarah in NY and me and my partner dispatched them in two. Sarah played the left. Laura is a sweetheart and she is a great competitor and classy on the hardwood. Can't wait to get there!!!

Dec 05, 2006 | 3 Comments

Goals for the season... Inspired by Q Nov 30

1) WPRO rank in top 10. I'd be happy around 12 or 13 though. That would put me in a good position for next season

2) Quarters or better at pro nationals and nationals

3) To win a women's open division at any pro event

4) Gold in 30+ at nationals

5) Focus on consistency, shot selection, and mental focus

6) Have a ton of fun

7) To develop friendships with the women on tour and other players all over the country.

8) To have my own Forum... LOL, I crack myself up

9) To not get unengaged because I play racquetball

10) Be 100% ready to play the full tour next season. This whole season is dedecated to gaining experience and fine tuning my skills with my coach.

Nov 30, 2006 | One Comment