PNW USTA League 18 & Over Sectionals Begin Today - Quick Preview

In the Pacific Northwest section of the USTA, August is the big month for Sectionals with 18 & Over and 40 & Over Adult league champions being crowned.

This year, 18 & Over starts things off this weekend 8/9 thru 8/11 in the greater Portland area.  The 40 & Over league will determine its Sectional champ in two weeks 8/23-8/25 also in Portland.

Doing a quick review of the flights this weekend using my ratings, it appears these are the favorites for the women:

• 2.5W - The two NWW teams and Irvington from N. OR lead the way
• 3.0W - The top four teams cover SWW, NWW, N. OR, and E. WA
• 3.5W - Five teams close lead by Sunset AC from N. OR
• 4.0W - HBSQ from NWW and the two N. OR teams lead
• 4.5W - Vancouver TC from N. OR is the clear favorite
• 5.0+W - Vancouver TC and the two NWW teams lead the way

For the men:

• 3.0M - Sunset AC (N. OR) and Amy Yee (NWW) lead a tight grouping from all Districts
• 3.5M - Tri-Cities (E. WA) and Stafford Hills (N. OR) lead the way
• 4.0M - Stafford Hills and Vancouver TC from N. OR lead the way
• 4.5M - Cascade AC from N. OR is the clear favorite
• 5.0+M - West Hills (N. OR) and Columbia Basin (E. WA) lead

Interestingly, while Northwest Washington has won the vast majority of Sectionals in recent years, they are not the favorites nor even mentioned for the majority of the men's flights.  From these previews, Northern Oregon should be expected to take the most titles.

But it always depends on who actually plays and the match-ups captains are able to get, so we'll see what happens!

Should anyone be interested in flight or team reports to help prepare for a match this weekend, in two weeks for 40 & Over, or for preparing for any flight in the regular season or playoffs, contact me!