PebbleCreek’s Passion in Third Place and Climbing

Vikki Constable

On March 2, six women from PebbleCreek’s Passion team, with the Women’s Interclub Tennis League (WITL), traveled to play doubles against the number one team in the B3 division. Passion had a very successful match, sweeping all three double lines, and added a bonus point, capturing the first line 1 doubles as the clincher. The win secured Passion’s third place in the division.

Passion has 14 women members on the team and plays every Tuesday at 9 a.m. from October to April, either at the Tuscany Falls courts or traveling to other communities in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix. Passion entered the league and the B3 division in 2017, led by Pat Ingalls and Co-Captain Vikki Constable. Passion, in its inauguration year, took a respectable fifth place out of 13 teams. Passion’s philosophy is for all teammates to enjoy tennis in a competitive spirit.

The WITL league serves many communities in Maricopa County, with over 1,600 women playing matches during the week, depending on skill level.

Passion team members for the 2020-21 season are led by Debbie Welsh and Co-Captain Vikki Constable. Teammates are Lorinne Banister, Myrna Bodner, Barbara Camozzi, Lynne Carlyle, Kathy Carver, Sara Foster, Cindy Henry, Pat Ingalls, (Karen Kattar, sub—contributed towards first victory), Cooky O’Brien, Pat Owens, Joan Patchin, Jill Santy, and Karyn Swinford.

As Captain Debbie Welsh reflects, “We are very appreciative that the PebbleCreek HOA allowed competitive tennis through the COVID epidemic. Their requirements to play were reasonable, and we have experienced similar criteria at our competitions’ facilities. It has been an exciting and challenging journey, and regardless of the outcome, the team is united in its quest to take our tennis to the next level.”

Passion had a much-needed break in March, resuming play on March 30, traveling to Scottsdale to play Village DCR No Guts No Glory team, currently in ninth place. Two matches in April will end the season and determine if Passion is able to move up to B2. The top two division leaders are promoted to the next level at the end of the season. That will be determined on April 20, at a home match, hosting Paradise Valley PVCC Sets and the City. At the last meeting, PVCC beat Passion at their home turf 2-1. The match will be a nail-biter, as Passion continued to practice during the March break, concentrating on strategies.

If you are out the morning of April 20, enjoying the beautiful Arizona weather, and would like to see our team play at the Tuscany courts 9, 10, and 11, please stop by, as you will witness six women playing strategic tennis at its finest.