The Heights Casino Open, supported by a loud and engaged casino crowd, concluded in a hard fought final between two of the top teams on the women’s SDA tour. Trailing 1-0 in games and down 14-12 in the second game, Stoker/Pierrepont found their full shot making range and variation to level the match 1-1 before ultimately defeating World #1 team, Kayley Leonard and Maria Elena Ubina.
This was a significant victory for tour veteran, Suzie Pierrepont who sustained a full tear of her ACL in the same event last year, missing the whole 2022/23 season following surgery at HSS.
The start of the women’s SDA season has seen many new faces and pairings and this event continued that trend. Brown University senior, Rachel Mashek paired with PSA World #38 Jana Shiha for this event, taking the first two games against eventual winners Stoker/Pierrepont. Both Mashek and Shiha will be players to watch in the future as they both displayed great potential in their shot making and court awareness.
In the top half of the draw Leonard/Ubina made their signature quick work of their lower seeded opponents in the quarter finals before facing Casino favorite and recently retired PSA world #35, Haley Hendez and SDA #12 Line Hansen in the semi final. Three extremely close games, and some long exchanges down the left wall, saw Leonard/Ubina remain consistent with their pressure towards the end of each game to come through 3-0.
In the bottom half of the draw, the #2 ranked team Elani Landman and Lume Landman were looking to back up their win at The NYC Open just weeks prior. Following a strong quarter final showing against Canadian team, Jackie Moss and Jaimie Laird the twins looked in good form going into their semi final match against Stoker/Pierrepont. Starting each game with good length and width, the #2 ranked team struggled to maintain their game plan towards the end of each game, allowing Stoker/Pierrepont more attacking opportunities at critical points, which the experienced pair capitalised on.
For the first time in many seasons, three different teams have won the first events of the season and so there is all to play for as the women head to Westchester Country Club for their next event at the beginning of December.
‘Absolutely over the moon with our win and still a bit shocked. It’s been a very long 11 months of rehab and to have it pay off feels great. This was my 3rd surgery in 8 years but this was the first one where I wasn’t sure if I would play again. I’m very grateful to George for supporting me through the whole process and taking a risk to play with me this season. Shout out to Dave Endres, my physical therapist at Spear Physical Therapy. He’s one of the best in the world at what he does (and I’ve seen a few PTs at this point) and I wouldn’t be playing again without him.
Huge thank you to the Heights Casino and their awesome membership for creating such a great atmosphere to play in! ‘
Huge thank you to the Heights Casino and their awesome membership for creating such a great atmosphere to play in! ‘
– Suzie Pierrepont