Paul Assaiante, head coach for the US team at the World University Games, reports on the final day of team play.
Melbourne, Australia — Team USA squeezed out a 2-1 victory over Canada to win bronze at the 2010 World University Games.
Kristen Lange led us off with a win over defending intercollegiate
champion Laura Gemmell of Harvard (11-3, 12-10, 6-11, 11-4).
In the second round, Todd Harrity faced Canada’s Colin West, who had recently defeated him to win the intercollegiates. West continued his control with a hard fought 11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 3-11 victory.
In the third match, Chris Hanson played against Fred Reid, who showed incredible mastery of the ball in the cold courts. Chris found himself down 2-1 by the scores of 11-9, 10-12, 9-11. In the fourth game it appeared that Fred decided to save his energy for the fifth game by going for a bit of a walk about. Game to Chris 11-1. Fred came out firing on all cylinders in the fifth but Chris held him off to win 11-9.
I told the team how proud I was of them as all of the officials complimented them for their court behavior, and I also told them that the bronze was a great accomplishment.
We will be taken to an Australian rules football game tonight and then the 23-hour journey home.
Go USA!
