New champion crowned
Julie Sipek
Issue date: 3/8/10 Section: Sports
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"No hesitation" was Ding's strategy going into the competitive tournament. The extreme intensity of this event was made evident by the high level of play, competitors measuring the height of the net, and the side-spin serves.
This tournament has been a PUC staple since 2005.
In the double elimination tournament, there are two randomly chosen brackets that the competitors play in. The winner of each bracket competes in the championship match. Each match consists of three rally score games to eleven. The player to win two of these games is the winner.
To start the match the players volley for the first serve. The server serves five times before turning the ball over to the other competitor. Also, the players switch sides for every game.
Due to the growing popularity of the sport this year's ping pong tournament lasted two and a half hours.
The FRC also held an "open play" time on February 16th. Multiple ping pong tables were set up in the gym for anyone who wanted to play.
"People often ask me to set up more tables than just the one that is always out," said Matt Dudzik, the Recreational Sports and Camps Director.
Ding and Zhang are two of the students who like to take advantage of PUC's ping pong facilities.
"We always play together so we are almost on the same level," said Ding of his friend and competitor.
Ding admits to placing fourth in last year's tournament and hoped the extra practice with Zhang would help him win this year.
It was the similarities in their abilities that made the championship game between Ding and Zhang so thrilling to watch.
Zhang had won the past two tournaments and, according to Dudzik, "he was the favorite going in."
The championship match was close. All of the games were won by three points or less. Ding couldn't believe that he had overthrown the reigning champ.
"It was surprising," he said. "I feel amazing."
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