02/25/24 labash roundup
Let me get one thing perfectly clear: we’re not the best tennis players in the area. Some of us (me) aren’t even close. Let me continue..
1MB isn’t about being the best, it’s a platform for washed-up tennis friends to compete, stay connected to the game, and have fun. Every event is a different format, designed to be under three hours from start to finish, and ends with a party.
Event number one of the 2024 1MB schedule was a new format for us - Labash. As I’m writing this blog, the internet is telling me it’s actually called Lavash, but we do things our own way at 1MB - so Labash it is.
Here’s how it works:
Teams of three, singles points, the first point has to start with a neutral feed. If you win the point you stay in, and if you lose, your partner feeds in wherever and however they want. They can feed drop shots, heavy FH crosscourt, chip and charge; you name it. The only rule on the feed is that you have to be inside the singles sidelines, and it has to be under your shoulders: no serves.
If you win three points in a row against all three of the opposing teams' players, your team gets a point. You play to 6, win by two, or a 20-minute time cap.
Labash is a great format for large groups because there’s quite a bit of team strategy involved, and you see many different playing styles throughout the day. Baseline grinders, feed and charge, big hitters, dirt ballers, etc. All the different styles make fights as they say, and that's certainly the case with Labash.
This event was the largest yet, 18 players, 6 teams of 3, and the level was very high.
The teams were as follows:
Victoria, Adam, Llagos
Chris, Mark, Alex
Nolan, Ali, Louie
Peter, Christine, BC
Jamie, Diego, Andrew
Aris, Alex and Jason
The event format was a round-robin which allowed everyone to play 5 high-level games. This structure turned out to be a great move because the margins stayed razor-thin all the way through, and 5 of the 6 teams had a shot at making the finals heading into the last round.
Ultimately, the team Victoria, Adam, and Llagos, and the team of Aris, Alex, and Jason pushed through the draw and earned their spots in the finals. The level was very high throughout the day and the final was no different. After some back and forth early, Aris, Alex and Jason got it rolling and played great tennis on their way to securing the dub. Congrats to you guys on a great day of tennis and your first 1MB titles.
As is customary with every 1MB, there was an afterparty. This time, we took our talents to Rozi’s Wine House in Lakewood. One of the better hidden gems for Cleveland folks who haven’t been there. Nolan and Ali have a rolling tab there, so drinks on them if you ever decide to visit. We had the front patio booked with food, wine and beers, and the weather cooperated with a beautiful day, a great vibe overall and the perfect way to celebrate event 1 of 2024.
Now on to event 2, there’s rumblings that this will be a mini Davis Cup format outside on the clay, but you didn’t hear that from me.
—BC
