Blog by Maggie Murch / Photos by John Riedy
The second NPL event took place this past weekend in Columbus Ohio. Our team results were amazing. For the 2nd weekend in a row, we won 3 head-to-head matchups and lost 1, making our overall record 6-2 . On Sunday afternoon, we played against last year's champions, the Indy Drivers. This team includes Rick Witsken, one of the league founders, and they certainly are a talented team. We ended in a 6-6 tie which took us into our first Team Breaker event. We pulled out a win 11-5 thanks much to our 5-star manager, Ryan Wills and the outstanding line-up he put together.
There were so many memorable moments over the weekend, but perhaps the one that stands out the most to me is right after our Team Breaker win, Kim Jagd and Dayne Gingrich were being interviewed. Dayne and some of our top players had a challenging Saturday and ended with the same record as I did, 0-4. Dayne was asked a question by the reporter and I was standing close enough to see that for a split second before he spoke, raw emotion came up in his throat and eyes. Dayne managed to pull it together quickly for the camera, but it sure took me longer to hold back and swallow the tears when I saw how real this is for him too. You just can’t really explain the intensity, the highs and lows, and the bonds this team has made so quickly, that despite our team wins, the personal losses weigh heavily. The feeling of wanting so badly to contribute and do our part, or more importantly not let our team down, just confirms the incredible bond that we all have and our collective desire to make this team #1. I know how it felt for me this weekend to not get the results I wanted, and can imagine how much more pressure there is for our top players. I suspect it can be very lonely at the top, and I need you to know, and the team needs you to know… We Got You Dayne. We see you and we got you!
When we were told the draft strategy for the Scorpions was focused on character first, I’m sure we all thought everyone would say that. But after just two events, it is very evident that our owners nailed this one. There’s not a single person on our team that I wouldn’t be thrilled to play with and call a friend. I know this cannot possibly be the case across all teams.
I have been on enough teams in my life to know that this is special. Experiencing highs and lows alongside teammates and realizing, no matter where you are in your pickleball journey, the mental game will forever be present and so important. Nowhere are you going to find a room full of people who bring as much resilience, determination and mental strength as you will at the NPL events. This season will test all of us in ways we probably have never been tested before.
I am so grateful for my incredibly supportive husband Sean, and kids Duncan and Zoe, that I was able to take on this challenge. I am so glad I took the “bat off my shoulder” (as the inspiring Olympia Sports Camp owner Dave Grace always said), and tried out for the NPL. My North Vancouver friend nailed it when saying, there are few experiences in life that would be so special and memorable to be a part of. This could not be more true. My advice - SHOW UP. Amazing things can happen if we just show up for ourselves. So many new adventures await even after 50!
Two weeks before Columbus I was in a very serious car accident on our way home from a tournament with my best pickleball buds, Ruth and Diane. For a few very slowed down seconds as we hydroplaned across a patch of rain and oil, my brain moved in slow motion, and I wondered how it was going to all turn out, knowing that I had no control over the answer. There were so many worse scenarios that could have played but from a very unlucky situation, we could not have been luckier. The car was a write off but for the most part all three of us came out without a scratch. Bumps and bruises and stiffness, yes. And the impact to our nervous system was and still is very real. (Thank you Jill Martin for your wisdom, advice and support in helping me recover). These experiences, which I don't wish on anyone, certainly leave a mark and provide a perspective and appreciation that we often overlook in our day to day routines. After most of the shock had worn off, I was energized with a new appreciation for life and how lucky I am. And it dawned on me as I soaked in every minute in Columbus, that often this perspective comes from difficult or tragic situations, but when I think about the NPL, my teammates and opponents, I honestly feel like this league is giving us ALL a perspective and appreciation that is from an extremely positive place. Thank you Beth Bellamy, Michael Chen and Rick Witsken for your vision for the NPL.
