On the weekend of January 13-14th, the Ottawa Gee Gees badminton team was at McMaster University in Hamilton competing in the 4th of 5 regular season tournaments in the 2000-2001 season. Our competition for this tournament included Western, Waterloo, Brock, and the host school McMaster. With a couple of top players unable to compete in this tournament, our goal for the weekend was to win 3 of the 4 ties.
We started the weekend by playing Western. Recognizing the strength of the Western team and the fact Ottawa was missing two of their top players, the plan was to allow the less experienced players the opportunity for competitive experience, and not to allow Western to practice against Ottawa’s intended line up. As expected, we were defeated quite easily by the undefeated Western team 10-1. With Ottawa’s full line up we are hoping to be a strong contender against Western in the finals.
Although the score does not indicate it, Waterloo was the most exciting of all the Ottawa ties for the weekend, lasting over 4 hours to complete. Waterloo men showed strong results (and exciting matches) winning 3 of the 5 matches in long, hard fought battles. Gary Wan of Ottawa produced the results on the men’s side winning both his #2 singles and #2 doubles with Terry Lo. Ottawa women were much stronger than Waterloo winning all of their 5 matches. Ottawa’s mixed team of Jeff Wolak and Jenny Kue finished the tie with a strong well played mixed giving Ottawa the 8-3 victory.
For our last tie on Saturday, we faced a team who has yet to register a win, Brock. As expected, Ottawa’s strength & depth were shown against Brock winning 10 out of the 11 matches easily, and affording Ottawa the luxury of fielding all players in this tie.
Before heading home on Sunday we had to first defeat the host team McMaster. Ottawa’s men dominated winning 4 out of 5 matches. A best performance by one of our new women’s combinations : Tania Perron & rookie Isabelle Proulx who played in the #1 women’s doubles spot for this tournament. Although they lost in a tight fought match, they played exceptionally well and show great potential. In the end we were able to overcome the host team by a score of 7-4.
Overall Ottawa is in solid contention for a medal, although are being closely challenged by York, Queens and Toronto who have added players and adjusted line ups to further strengthen their teams. Success in the final regular season tournament will be critical and will need all of Ottawa’s top players to help secure 1st place in the east and earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The regular season tournament will take place at York University in Toronto on the weekend of February 16-17 where Ottawa will meet all of the challengers for the east. They include Ryerson, Toronto, Queen's, & the host team York. The team is looking forward to the next tournament and is confident that we will finish 1st in the east.
