A Trek to Iowa for Junior National Racquetball Championships: Day 3 of Junior Nationals....

Great Deal...Two pieces of chocolate covered bacon for $3

Another day of a lot of play.....

The picture to the right is the restaurant next to the hotel we were staying (well, at least where Dima and I were)...It is called Daytonas Bar and Grill with the whole car racing theme... Have not been there yet, but very tempted to do the special - Chocolate covered bacon - Two strips for $3!!

Well...How our day went....All five of the PVAC players are still in the tournament with Heather, James and Sawyer still in the running for Team USA (Top two singles and number one doubles)..

How we did...

Heather - Won her singles and is now 3-0 in the round robin with 2 more matches to go...Her and Julia had a tough, but entertaining match with older girls in doubles...They almost took it to a tie breaker, but lost...In Mixed doubles, her and James made it very "interesting". They lost game one as the way of playing Mixed doubles took a little getting used to.. There is some moving of players as the girls can serve to anybody and boys have to serve to boys. They lost game one and with some strategy changes in place, took game two...The tie breaker went a little back and forth, but Heather and James finally settled in and won 11-9...Very stressful...With a win tomorrow they will be National Champions...

James - James started the morning with the right energy and attitude. He played fellow Norther Californian and doubles partner, Vedant, in the semi-finals of the 10 and under Blue division...Both of them were flying around the court...James was a little more consistent with his serves and shots and won in two games..He will play in the final of the Blue division Saturday..In Doubles he and his partner, Vedant, won their semi final match pretty easily and will play for the championship Saturday...As far as Mixed Doubles...see Heather

Ben - Ben had a battle in the quarter finals of the 16 and under Red Division...He got it all together to win 11-0 in the tie breaker, He will play in the semi final Saturday...In the 14 and under Blue Division he had a tough loss..

Dima - Dima had singles matches in the 16 and 18 and under Blue divisions...He won the 18 and under match and had a tough loss in the 16 and under...He will play in the Blue semi final Saturday....In Doubles, he and partner, Luis Avila, played a very tough match, going to a tie breaker. The other team pulled out the win...On Saturday, Dima and Luis will play for third place..

Sawyer - Sawyer had another upsetting day in Singles. ...He lost to Troy Warigon of Maryland...On the Doubles side there was a better time as he and his partner won their semi final match. They will compete in the finals Saturday...A win puts them on Team USA and a trip to the Worlds!!