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Hooks third baseman J.D Davis prepares to bat in the third inning against the Midland RockHounds on April, 24, 2017, at Whataburger Field(Photo: Charlie Blalock/Corpus Christi)

If there is one thing Ive learned covering minor league baseball off and on for more than a decade, it's that the goal is to develop players. But within that development is winning.

A minor league teams manager and its coaches want to see a player get better to ultimately earn that promotion but also they like to see how a player reacts in crucial situations. It could be a game in April or late August, but a players desire to win is something that is measured when managers and coaches talk to those in the front office.

Last week marked the first time in two seasons the Hooks had not won a Texas League South Division first half title. And with as successful as Rodney Linares has been here as manager and at other minor league stops in the Houston Astros system, Im sure he was frustrated.

The first half featured some frustrating moments for the hometown team, including a 10-game losing streak that ultimately kept the Hooks from having a shot at that title.

But the beauty of the minor leagues is that there is a second half. Player development will again be the primary focus, but it will be interesting to see how this team pushes over the final two-and-half months of the season to keep the Hooks playoff streak intact.

Hooks' Drew Ferguson celebrates with teammates after scoring against Arkansas on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez/Caller-Times)

TEXAS LEAGUE SCHEDULING

This might be a little too inside baseball but it might be time for the Texas League to work on its schedule. Late in May and earlier this month, the Hooks had two extended road trips one to Springfield and Tulsa and this past weeks road trip in San Antonio and Midland sandwiched around a four-game homestand. Earlier this year they had two eight-game homestands surrounding a four-game road trip.

The Texas League is one of the tougher minor leagues when it comes to travel and it might be time to try to alleviate that.

In previous years, teams played five-game series. Naturally you want more games and series with teams in your division but I think it needs to be more balanced to where we see the North Division teams more instead of three games at a time. Currently each team plays 12 cross-division games against an opponent, six at home and six on the road. I think there could be more and it would help on the travel, especially.

Scheduling is hard but I think it would help the clubs in terms of promotions knowing they will be home for extended periods.

LOOKING TO THE SECOND HALF

The second half officially begins Tuesday and the Hooks have some momentum heading into it.

Here are a few things and players to watch:

Kyle Tucker and Jason Martin: The two recent call-ups have been solid additions for the Hooks over the last month and I expect both to continue to trend upward as the summer progresses.

Starting pitching: The Hooks have had some solid starting pitching this season only to struggle to score runs or to see the bullpen struggle to keep leads. But if pitchers can continue to go five, six, even seven innings, that helps the playoff chances and makes pitching coaches and the manager smile.

J.D. Davis promotion?: Davis has certainly shown that he is deserving of the call to Fresno. But a logjam in the infield in the Astros organization could make it difficult. He currently leads the league with 17 home runs and a .556 slugging percentage. With as much fun as he is to watch, it might be time for the third baseman to test his mettle in the Pacific Coast League.

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HAYWARD: Second half offers Hooks another playoff shot - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Apparently Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall wasn't kidding around when he praised Scott Laughton's performance on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season.

Laughton, a 2012 first-round (20th overall) draft pick, watched his stock with the organization drop over the previous couple years.

But a steady effort in Allentown impressed Hextall enough to earn a bit of a surprise spot on the team's NHL expansion draft (Vegas Golden Knights) protected list, which was released Sunday morning.

Also protected (as expected) were forwards Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Valtteri Filppula, along with defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning.

In what might be considered another mild surprise, the Flyers chose to protect rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz rather than veteran Michal Neuvirth, who signed a two-year, $5-million contract back in early March.

Also left unprotected: Forwards Jordan Weal (a potential unrestricted free agent) and alternate captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. On defense, Andrew MacDonald was not protected but his big contract makes it unlikely he will leave town.

It looks like the Flyers still believe Laughton can be an impact player someday in the NHL.

The 23-year-old center from Oakville, Ont. actually made it into a five-game trial with the Flyers way back in 2013. After a six-game stint with the Phantoms, he returned to his junior team (Oshawa Generals of OHL) for the 2013-14 campaign where he lit it up for 40 goals, 87 points in just 54 games.

He would play 102 games with the Flyers over the next two seasons but produced only seven goals in 71 games two seasons back and early this year was sent back to the Phantoms, where he produced 19 goals and 39 points in 60 games.

More importantly, his two-way game improved and he played a big part in getting the Phantoms to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since leaving Philadelphia nearly a decade ago.

Both Hextall and Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol have praised Laughton's work ethic. So maybe he really does have a future with the big team in Philadelphia.

Laughton played on a first line with Taylor Leier and Colin McDonald against the Hershey Bears in the first round of the playoffs (which the Phantoms lost).

"He had a terrific year," Hextall said of Laughton. "I can't say I'm surprised. I'm proud of Scott. In my mind, Scott's becoming a pro right now."

Laughton might have been a victim of too-high expectations.

Once nicknamed "Captain Canada" when he wore the "C'' for Team Canada in the World Juniors, Laughton was under a lot of pressure to score goals when he's really not a goal-scorer. He's more of a defensive type player.

He actually started last season with the Flyers but was sent down after just two games.

"He had a lot come at him early,'' Hextall said. "He comes up to the NHL, 'wow, one year in the minors, I'm in the NHL' and life's good.

"Maybe, a kid like that thinks he's got it made now. But he comes down here (to Allentown), he's done a really good job. He's become a better player, a better pro. I think he understands his skill set, he understands playing the whole sheet of the ice. I'm not sure he had that grasp.''

If he keeps improving, he could figure in the Flyers' future plans.

"It's just my confidence, it's a big part of my game,'' Laughton said during the Hershey series. "Just getting that back throughout the year, I think it took a little bit of time.

"This year has been good for me. I think I've taken a step forward.''

Meanwhile, any questions about the worth of Stolarz to the organization appear to have been answered.

The 23-year-old Edison, N.J., native by way of Jackson impressed in a brief trial with the Flyers this season while Neuvirth was hurt.

Stolarz, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, was a 2012 second-round (45th overall) draft pick.

He went 2-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, including a brilliant shutout of the Red Wings in Detroit.

He's currently sidelined with a foot injury which kept him out of the Hershey playoff series. But the Flyers thought enough of him (and perhaps are confident Vegas won't take Neuvirth) to keep him in their future plans.

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Laughton, Stolarz surprise additions to Flyers' protected list - Allentown Morning Call

Bradley International Airport has added nonstop service between Hartford and Edinburgh, Scotland on Norwegian Air.

The innaugural flight from the United Kingdom was celebrated Friday. Norwegian is to operate year-round, three times a week, with a twice-weekly schedule during the winter season. The route is Bradley's second transatlantic direct flight. In September, the airport started service to Dublin, Ireland on Aer Lingus.

"Every day more and more passengers are recognizing that Bradley International Airport is faster and more convenient than other nearby airports," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said. "And with the addition of new flights to Europe, as well as new destinations across the country, that reputation continues to improve."

Airport and state officials also announced recently that Spirit Airlines is expanding operations at the Windsor Locks airport, beginning daily nonstop seasonal service to Fort Myers and Tampa, Fla.

Spirit, an ultralow-cost carrier, has offered nonstop flights from Bradley to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Orlando, Fla., since April. The Fort Myers and Tampa flights are to begin Nov. 9 and extend through April. A nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. also was added recently.

With these additions, airport officials said, passengers can now fly to more than 30 domestic and international nonstop destinations.

Tickets for the Edinburgh service are on sale. The outbound flight leaves Bradley at 9:35 p.m., with scheduled arrival of 9:30 a.m. in Edinburgh. The inbound flight departs Edinburgh at 5:15 p.m. and arrives at Bradley at 7:55 p.m..

"The addition of this route is an important milestone for the Connecticut Airport Authority," authority board Chairman Charles R. Gray said. "This new international route highlights Bradley Airport's continued growth and is a reflection of Bradley's growing popularity among European carriers."

"We're thrilled to welcome Norwegian to Bradley Airport," authority Executive Director Kevin A. Dillon said. "The CAA is determined to build on Bradley's strengths and continue our focus to deliver more convenience and connectivity for our region."

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Bradley Launches Nonstop Flights To Scotland - Hartford Courant - Hartford Courant

Las Cruces Sun-News Published 7:33 a.m. MT June 18, 2017 | Updated 9 hours ago

Centennial tight end Brent Rigtrup goes up for a catch Saturday afternoon as the Hawks took the Manzano Monarchs in a quarterfinal Class 6A state playoff game.(Photo: Jaime Guzman/For the Sun-News)Buy Photo

A second game would not detract from rivalry

Yes, the annual Las Cruces vs. Mayfield game is a special event. No one is challenging that fact.

Many of the LCHS and MHS faithful in our community believe that the idea of a Centennial vs Oate game scheduled prior to the Las Cruces vs. Mayfield contest would detract from the grandeur of the traditional rivalry matchup.

This is not a proposal meant to devalue what is truly a storied contest; however, it is a unique opportunity for the city of Las Cruces to come together and embrace all four of the citys comprehensive high schools while giving student-athletes from Centennial and Oate the unique opportunity to compete in a Division 1 college football stadium.

Also, if it is truly a necessity to hold the Las Cruces vs. Mayfield game at Aggie Memorial Stadium for attendance reasons (which was challenged by last years free matchup that failed to fill up the Field of Dreams), what is the harm in having our other two major high schools compete in that stadium earlier in the evening?

Personally, it has been disappointing to see many of my fellow Las Crucens take aim at a wonderful opportunity for the students and supporters of Centennial and Oate. Being a native of this town, I feel as if we live in a very tight-knit community built on values of trust and support for one-another. However, attempting to halt an event that would be a wonderful spectacle for the people of Las Cruces, especially for our students, contradicts the perception that I have of my hometown.

Superintendent Ewing does not have it wrong. This proposal embraces the fantastic spirit of competition that defines high school football in Las Cruces.

Yes, we have one great rivalry, but we also have four great schools.

Cameron Castillo

Student body president at Centennial High School and chairman of the LCPS Student Advisory Council.

A lacking workforce plagues our area

This month I attended a lunch meeting in which three commercial real estate brokers discussed activity in the Doa Ana County area. The information provided was an update of recent additions of opening businesses and those in the pipeline into the future. Information also included not only Las Cruces but the Santa Teresa Industrial Park.

Those of us who keep track of the boom at Santa Teresa can see the development of Union Pacific and supplier businesses, which have located to that area, have brought many jobs. What I didnt hear during the presentation was activity at the West Mesa Industrial Park (WMIP). I posed the question as to why the WMIP is not a location that new business is interested in.

On the positive side, the response was that the WMIP has all the infrastructure in place, is well located with easy on and off traffic to the interstate, a Free Trade Zone for manufacturing and the land is fairly priced. The unfortunate answer for no activity at the WMIP is the lack of a trained workforce to accommodate a manufacturer looking to invest a few million dollars into a property.

The investment can only be possible with the ability to fill the needed employees. So when are we going to open our eyes understanding the key to commercial growth and new jobs is at our fingertips. We need the willingness to track down the business and the investment of a trained and employable workforce. It has always been the time and continues to be the answer to our job creation at the WMIP and in this city.

Dolores Connor

Las Cruces

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A second game would not detract from rivalry - Las Cruces Sun-News

Vice President Mike Pence waves as he arrives for an event at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga., Friday, June 9, 2017.(Photo: David Goldman, AP)

This Father's Day Vice President Mike Pence got a very cute surprise from his family, and the country got more adorable pets to obsess over.

Sunday evening Second Lady Karen Pence tweeted a photo of herself with a grey kitten named Hazel, which the family got this weekend during a trip to Indiana.

She also tweeted a photo of Pence cuddled up with a puppy named Harley, and said it was his Father's Day surprise.

The new additions to the family come a week after they mourned the loss of their cat, Oreo.

Oreo along with the family's other cat, Pickle, and rabbit, Marlon Bundo became famousin January, when the family moved to Washington, D.C. They all made their national debut inphotos of the U.S. Air Force flight.

Since then, Marlon Bundo, better known as BOTUS (Bunny of the United States),has remained in the spotlightwith anInstagram page.

The black-and-white rabbit even has made White House appearances, recentlystealing the showat an event for Military Appreciation Month. At the time, Karen Pence said he was "kind of famous," asthe first bunny to ride on Air Force 2.

Could more adorable Instagram accounts be in this country's future? We can only hope.

Call IndyStarreporter Emma Kate Fittes at (317) 444-6129. Follow her on Twitter:@IndyEmmaKate.

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Meet Mike Pence's very cute, four-legged Father's Day surprise - Indianapolis Star

2017 Eureka! Innovation award winner: Renewal by Andersen Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal With a sparkling new 124,000-square-foot expansion to its Cottage Grove headquarters, Renewal by Andersen is showing the world that it can talk the talk and walk the walk. The replacement window manufacturer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Andersen ... and more »

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2017 Eureka! Innovation award winner: Renewal by Andersen - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Thursdays Detroit Tigers game felt like a quintessential performance from the teams two pillars. Justin Verlander started in his 366th career game for Detroit, going up against the Rays and pitching seven solid innings as he put himself in position to get the win. But the team lost its 3-2 lead when an unreliable bullpen pitcherthis year, its Francisco Rodriguezsurrendered a solo homer to Steven Souza Jr. in the eighth inning.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, Miguel Cabrera came to the plate with a man on first and one out. He took Tommy Hunters 2-1 fastball and muscled it to opposite field, earning his 314th career home run as a Tiger.

This Tigers win was the exception to the norm this year in Detroit. The aging group has slowly faded out of contention, leaving a sub-.500 team likely looking to sell most of its few players of value at the trade deadline.

In the Verlander era (starting in 2006), the Tigers have made the playoffs five times, which is five more times than they made the playoffs in the 19 years before. Due to a number of stellar trades by former GM Dave Dombrowski and some extravagant spending from late owner Mike Ilitch, the Tigers completely changed their image. A team with the most losses in American League history in 2003 became a pennant winner in 2006. In the decade since, Detroit has unendingly employed a win-now philosophy. As Ilitch chased the World Series title he craved, he continued to build up his payroll and gave the okay to swap minor-league prospects for established veterans.

As a whole, the pricey veterans led the team to several exciting seasons but always fell short of the ultimate goal. This generation of consistent division winners was led by manager Jim Leyland, a chain-smoking, no-nonsense baseball lifer who wasnt afraid to call out his team when they lacked effort. Leyland retired in 2013 after a third straight Central Division title, but in a curious move for an aging team still seeking a trophy, his replacement was the former player and first-time pro manager Brad Ausmus. The young manager has also come under fire for his questionable in-game moves, particularly his bullpen strategy. His three years as manager have produced zero playoff wins.

Most representative of the Tigers current situation is Victor Martinez, a broken-down jalopy of a player who, despite giving All-Star caliber seasons just a few years ago, has now become painful to watch. The 38-year-old DH simply cannot run after years of leg and knee injuries. In the past, Martinez could hit well enough to negate that fact, but now hes a liability in the batters box as well as the basepaths.

Detroits stars, Cabrera and Verlander, havent declined as sharply as Martinez, but they still arent what they used to be. Verlander, coming off last years controversial Cy Young loss, has had a few too many shaky starts. In particular, hes given up more free passes than he usually does: The pitchers allowed 42 walks in 14 starts this season. Last year, he walked 57 batters total. Verlanders lasted less than six innings five times in 2017, and has yet to pitch in the eighth inning or later this year.

Meanwhile, Miggy has gone from an outstanding hitter to a merely okay one, by his standards. As hes battled injuries, his slugging percentage sits at .446, a far cry from his usual .500s. At least hes hitting the ball hard:

For the first time in a long time, Verlander and Cabrera are not the Tigers best players or most valuable assets. Those honors belong to outfielder J.D. Martinez and starting pitcher Michael Fulmer, both acquired through savvy transactions. Martinez was released by the Astros at the start of the 2014 season, but since coming to Detroit hes turned himself into a brilliant, reliable source of both contact and power hitting. A foot injury delayed the start of Martinezs 2017 season, but hes returned without any problems at all, boasting an OPS of 1.093. However, Martinez seems not long for Michigan. He enters free agency after this season, and any team currently in playoff contention would pay a high price even for half a season of his talents.

Fulmer, though, is the untouchable jewel of the Tigers future. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year, if he lives up to his potential, could be Baby Verlander. Acquired from the Mets in the Yoenis Cespedes trade, Fulmer is already the teams best option on the mound. Hes posted an ERA of 3.40 this season, with a home runs per nine rate that leads the league and walks per nine rate in the top 10. A shoulder injury indicates that there could be some bumps on the road, but hes extremely valuable.

Technically, there is some hope left for this season, too. Despite a 31-34 record, the Tigers only sit two games out of wild card contention, and 4 games back of the division-leading(!) Minnesota Twins. But somehow, in a mostly mediocre AL, only two clubs have a worse record than the Tigers, and the teams above them (particularly Cleveland) seem poised to improve in the second half. The beat-up old Tigers dont have what it takes for a playoff run this year. Better to sell now than chase a fools dream this year and be left with nothing.

Enjoy the strikeouts of Justin Verlander and the hitting of Miguel Cabreratheyre not going anywhere. Unfortunately, that probably means theyll have to suffer through some dull, irrelevant seasons very soon. But if the Tigers are patient and make the right moves this year, especially if they get some good young guys for J.D. Martinez, the team could trampoline right back into the playoffs. They might be able to rebuild a championship contender just in time for Verlander and Cabrera to still play a small part.

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The Tigers' Window Has Closed, But They Could Reopen It Soon - Deadspin

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What separates us from other Cape Cod Heating Cooling Contractors? A & L Heating, Cooling & Home Improvements offers the greatest value to our customers. We only employ the most experienced professionals in the area. The owners, Luke and Alec, are native Cape Codders and graduates.

The quality and value of our work guarantees you receive the best service in the Cape Cod area. We encourage you to call, but you can also email us or leave a message through the contact form and Luke or Alec will call you back promptly.

We also have no problem with staying and completing a job even if that means staying past dark to get your HVAC system working properly.

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Cape Cod Sandwich Heating Cooling Contractors Barnstable ...

By Stephanie Vanderbilt

Q: We are in the process of getting estimates for our roof and the various contractors weve spoken with are suggesting different materials as part of the total roof package.We want the best protection. What are the different parts of a quality roofing system?

A: Lets face it. New England weather poses many opportunities for roof damage, from strong winds to freezing rain. As the seasons take their toll on your exterior, fortifying your home with a quality roofing system can help keep the damage to a minimum.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that not all roofs are created equal and a new roof doesnt automatically mean youre protected from the elements. Quality roofing systems are key to fortifying your roof for every season, and this is what you need to look for to get the best protection (and bang for your buck):

The characteristics and ROI of quality roofing systems

Just like any other investment youll make as a homeowner, the quality of your upgrade directly reflects on materials and performance. Roofing replacement can yield an almost 70 percent ROI (return on investment) according to Remodeling Magazines 2017 Cost vs. Value report, making it one of the best home improvement upgrades to consider this year.

However, be careful on the quality of the roofing that you choose. Bottom dollar roofing wont offer much protection for your home when you need it the mostlet alone provide the best return on investment if you decide to sell.

While a lot of homeowners envision their roof as a series of shingles, the truth is that there is a lot more to your roof below the surface. In order to truly fortify your roof, youll need to invest in a system that delivers the ultimate protection.

Six major components of a quality roofing system:

1. Increase ventilation with ridge and soffit vents

Roof ridge vents and soffit vents are designed to help your home breathe and circulate air.

Ventilation is a major characteristic of quality roofing, since lack of airflow can cause moisture buildup in the attic.

Not only do these components help air circulate through your attic, but they also protect your entire roofing structureincluding the shingles and the roof deck. This is achieved by preventing heat and moisture buildup with continuous airflow.

2. Fight against moisture with leak barrier protection

No New England homeowner wants to find wet areas inside of their home. This is why quality roofing must include leak barrier protection that helps keep moisture out of your home.

A quality leak barrier system prevents leaks around the most vulnerable areas of your roof, including the chimney, eaves, side walls, skylights, valleys and more.

Furthermore, a leak barrier system also protects against ice dam formation during the winter months. If your roof was damaged from previous ice dams, a leak barrier system will help prevent that in the future by preventing melting snow and ice from soaking through your shingles and into the roof deck.

3. Combat roof rot with synthetic roof deck protection

Roof rot is a nasty predicament that nearly no homeowner wants to deal with. Signs of roof damage include:

- Missing or broken shingles

- Strange bubbles on your roof

- Shingles that easily crumble away

- Pooling water that lingers after rain

- Curling or buckling shingles

- Missing granules

- Moss or algae growth

Synthetic roof deck protection offers an extra layer of protection between the roof deck and shingles and prolongs the life of your roof. Roof deck protection can block moisture and prevent wind-driven rain from doing damage. In addition, quality synthetic underlayment lays flatter, allowing for shingles that lay flatter and appear more uniform.

4. Increase lifespan of roof starter strip shingles

Quality asphalt shingles can last 50-plus years depending on the manufacturer. You can get more mileage out of your roof by opting for self-adhesive roof starter strip shingles. These are an important component of a quality roofing system since they help prevent shingles from blowing away in winds as strong as 130 miles per hour. If you live in one of the many coastal areas of

New England, youre well aware of how damaging strong winds can be for your home.

5. Opt for lifetime shingles

Speaking of longevity, choosing lifetime shingles will stretch your investment even further.

Lifetime shingles are heavier and more durable than what youll find with run-of-the-mill shingles making this option an exceptional choice with fortifying your roof for good. Want even better news? You can get high quality shingles in a wide range of shades and colors to improve the beauty and curb appeal of your home.

6. Better protection with lifetime ridge cap shingles

The last component of a quality roofing system is lifetime ridge cap shingles. This is the cherry-on-top for quality roofing systems. This component can enhance the beauty of your home while also guarding against leaks at the hips and ridges, the areas of highest stress on the roof.

As we all know, roof damage is costly. A high quality roofing system installed by a top rated roofing contractor will help fortify your home from top to bottom, preventing leaks, roof rot, ice dams and more. For questions on how a system such as a GAF roofing system can better protect your New England home, contact Coastal Windows & Exteriorstoday at questions@mycoastalwindows.com or call 978-7304-0495.

-- Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors, is your local home improvement resource with the absolute commitment to the highest ethical standards. This means never engaging in high-pressure sales tactics and always putting homeowner education first. With a passion for education and helping others love the home they live in, Vanderbilt would love to answer any questions that will help you make your home beautiful, warm, safe and energy-efficient. Do you have other home improvement questions Vanderbilt can help answer? Ask her at svanderbilt@mycoastalwindows.com or call at 978-304- 0495.

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AT HOME WITH STEPHANIE: How quality roofing systems will fortify your home - Wicked Local Boxford

The Slaughter Roofing Cancer Tennis Tournament has an uncanny knack for bringing people together strangers, long-time acquaintances, family, friends.

For Sarah Abeyta, the tournament and the sport in general has nudged her even closer to someone she is already close with, her boyfriend and doubles partner, Adam Less.

It also brought her face to face with a fellow former Eaton High School athletics standout whom she had heard plenty about but had never actually met before Friday: Kendra Cunningham.

On one side of the net during the Mixed 8.0 Doubles semifinals match at Centennial Courts: Abeyta and Less. On the other side: Cunningham and Jon Haruguchi volleyball aficionados by trait, building their tennis skills in recent months.

More experienced and seasoned on the tennis court, Less and Abeyta topped Haruguchi and Cunningham, 6-1, 6-2, to punch their ticket to today's finals, facing Cindy and Rick Wehmeyer at 10 a.m.

"I'm excited," said Less, a Davenport, Iowa native, who now coaches boys tennis at Poudre High School. "We always like to win. Yeah, we like to have fun, but we like to win, as well."

Abeyta added, "The best part about it is it gives us another opportunity to play together and have fun."

Cunningham, 23, is a 2012 Eaton graduate and volleyball standout, who went on to star for the University of Northern Colorado. She was hired as the Bears' Director of Volleyball Operations after graduating from UNC in 2016.

She works alongside Haruguchi, 43, who was hired a month and a half before Cunningham as an assistant under head coach Lyndsey Oates.

Abeyta, 32, is a 2003 graduate of Eaton where she was a state tennis tournament runner-up. After high school, she took 10 years off of tennis before getting back into the sport a few years ago, at the urging of her younger sister, Caryl Abeyta.

Less, 38, has been playing for only about 2 1/2 years, but he has tennis in his family.

His sisters introduced him to the sport, and he's latched on to it.

One of his five sisters played with Caryl.

Adam and Sarah met as a result of their sisters' tennis connection.

They've been dating for about a year and have been tennis partners for the past several months.

Sarah and Adam suspect their siblings weren't just trying to play match-maker strictly within the confines of tennis when they brought the couple together on the court.

"Both of our siblings were playing match-maker with us, I think," Sarah said.

Caryl got Sarah back into tennis and ultimately connected her with Less.

"My sister Caryl encouraged me; she said, 'It's a great way to meet new people. It's a great activity. It's a great way to meet a new boyfriend,' " Sarah said with a chuckle, while looking up at Less.

As much as Abeyta was enjoying time on the court with Less on Friday, she was just as grateful to finally meet Cunningham, an unrelenting volleyball competitor Caryl had told Sarah so much about.

Caryl graduated from Eaton just before Cunningham began her career with the Reds.

While volleyball is clearly her specialty, Cunningham also played tennis her first two years of high school.

She hadn't really picked up a tennis racket until recently, as the volleyball staff had begun having "Tennis Tuesdays" this past fall.

Oates and her staff would swing rackets out on the UNC tennis courts after wrapping up their work indoors on the volleyball courts.

Oates, an avid tennis player and past competitor at the Cancer Tennis Tournament, recommended Cunningham and Haruguchi sign up for this week's tournament.

The duo figured, "why not?".

"Every time we talked on the phone (with tournament organizers), it just felt like this was a really nice tournament they were putting on," Haruguchi said. "There was no stress involved."

Well, no stress, for the most part.

Having not played tennis in an organized, competitive setting in seven years, Cunningham admitted to being a little anxious as she prepared to step on the court Friday.

Any butterflies she may have had quickly went away. She and Abeyta connected the dots of their respective Eaton athletic histories, then proceeded to engage in a match that featured just as much laughing and back-and-forth banter as it did back-and-forth rallies.

"I was nervous," she said. "Tennis is a polite sport. But, just to have competitors who can laugh with you or give you pointers was awesome."

In between games, Less chowed down on some barbecue, while all four competitors stayed hydrated with their drinks of choice.

When Haruguchi put a little too much torque on a swing that ended up costing his team a point, Abeyta deadpanned, "That would have been a good volleyball spike."

After Cunningham acknowledged the cordial nature of the match, saying, "I love that you're cheering for us, even though you're our competition."

Abeyta responded, "We want to encourage you to play more tennis."

Abeyta's partner spoke for himself, hollering across the net, light-heartedly, "I want to kick your butt."

Nonetheless, Friday's match might have been the least bothered the uber-competitive Cunningham has ever been after a loss.

"Our goal was to not get shut out," Cunningham said with a laugh. "We won three games. So, we're improving. And, honestly, I was pleasantly surprised with how we played. So, I think we'll have to practice a little bit more, and we'll find some more tournaments."

Meanwhile, Abeyta and Less were enjoying the type of Friday that many couples do during a cool summer night: Friends, family, a little bit of barbecue, some ice cold drinks and a chance to grow just a little bit closer in front of a warmhearted, charitable background.

"It doesn't matter if you've been playing tennis for five days or 10 years, you can come out here, have fun, make new friends and support a good cause," Abeyta said of the tournament. "We really want this tournament to keep going, and it would be amazing if it built momentum for next year."

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Slaughter Roofing Cancer Tournament allows new bonds to build and established bonds to strengthen for Sarah ... - Greeley Tribune