Racquetball players rally their way to post tournament

By Amber Avalona
Paraglide

	Photo by Amber Avalona/Paraglide Mary Kovacs, a Fort Bragg spouse and member of the North Carolina Racquetball Association, participates in the post racquetball tournament, Jan. 29. The event was held at Ritz-Epps Physical Fitness Center.

When Mary Kovacs immigrated from Korea, she brought along her love of the game.

The avid racquetball player, a Fort Bragg spouse and member of the North Carolina Racquetball Association, has a decade of experience behind her forehand swing. Kovacs joined 44 other players in the Fort Bragg racquetball tournament, Jan. 28 and 29, amid the activity of low, hard drive serves and powerful backhand strokes.

Kovacs’ husband can often be seen sharing the same court, either as her teammate or opponent, depending on the nature of the match. In fact, the couple’s fitness routine often includes a racquet in hand — either on the closed courts of Ritz-Epps Physical Fitness Center or the grassy court of their backyard (improving a badminton volley).

“When he was in Korea he participated in Korean Racquetball Tournament. At the time I was manager for Korean players and American players. I introduced the tournament to western people. Most western people, they knew me,” said Kovacs.

Forty-three men and two women participated in the racquetball tournament, the only annual event for players since the all-Army racquetball program ceased a few years ago.

The 2011 Post Racquetball Tournament played it safe by following official United States Racquetball Association rules, which govern how a ball is served and returned on court.

Players participated in singles or doubles matches. All matches were best two out of three, with individual games reaching 15 points. Official plaques were awarded to first and second place athletes at the conclusion of the fast paced, two-day tournament.

Jerry Tschauner said it his first tournament since joining the Army.

“It was fun and interesting because I didn’t expect a match like that — we played longer rallies.”

Stats:
Men’s “A” Singles - Moises Martinez defeated Jarvis Suddreth

Men’s “B” Singles - Mario Caesar defeated Kevin Comer

Men’s “C” Singles - James Hillegas defeated Jerome Tschauner

Women’s Singles - Mary Kovacs defeated Joy Mattocks

“A” Doubles - Moises Martinez and Martin Kovacs defeated Jarvis Suddreth and Louis Hackett

“B” Doubles - Mario Caesar and Leon Johnson defeated Ken Joy and Luis Ortiz

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