Competing this past weekend in the split age event and women’s doubles definitely felt different. There were a lot of different pairings and opponents, mainly due to injuries and the hectic schedule many of us pros face. Some decided not to play this particular event because of how busy the season has already been, which led to last-minute changes in the lineup.
I texted Jill in the middle of last week with a change in our setup: I wanted to play on the right side. One of the many reasons I love playing with Jill is her flexibility. She can play either side, which allows me to continue working on different aspects of my game. I’ve played a lot on the left side in this year and in the past, especially in mixed doubles with Jack Munro, since he’s left-handed. After discussing with my coach and having a talk with Ryler, I realized I need to keep evolving and pushing myself, so I decided to take on the right side for this event.
The right side requires me to think differently—attacking, resetting, and setting up the point all feel unique compared to the left. Even my positioning on the court, how I reset, and the angles I slide into for attacks are different. It’s been a learning process, but I really enjoy the challenge. I feel like the day I stop working on my game will be the day I step away from competing.
On Saturday, I also jumped into the split age event, filling in for Simone, who pulled out due to injury. I partnered with Angela Simon, who’s such a great ball striker and a super nice player. She’s used to playing on the left side, as she’s been partnered with Lee Whitwell for much of the senior pro season. We had to make some adjustments, but we had fun and shared some laughs on the court. The split age event is always a blast—it’s competitive, but everyone seems to enjoy the unique partnerships that form.
As for women’s doubles, it was time for me to show off my right side “beast mode.” Watching players like Gabe Tardio and Big H, I’ve noticed how much the game is evolving, with right-side players becoming more dominant. While I don’t have their hand speed yet, I’ve studied a lot of tape and worked on what I can bring to the right side. Jill and I had a great time playing this new format, and I’m thrilled to say we brought home another gold medal together. This is our second medal this year, and we’ve kept our 100% medal streak going when we team up.
It’s a quick turnaround as I’m flying to Dallas on Wednesday morning for the APP. I’m looking forward to staying with my great aunt Helen and competing again this weekend. Time to keep pushing forward and see what’s next!
In the mean time I’m praying for Florida to stay safe! 🙏🏼
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