2023 Houston Dash Preseason Soccer Tennis Tournament Recap

Introducing the Inaugural Houston Dash Preseason Soccer Tennis Tournament

The Houston Dash soccer club recently hosted an exciting new preseason event - the inaugural Houston Dash Preseason Soccer Tennis Tournament. This unique tournament brought together Dash players and staff for some friendly competition ahead of the upcoming NWSL season.

What is Soccer Tennis?

For those unfamiliar, soccer tennis is a sport that combines elements of soccer and tennis. It is played on a tennis court with a lowered or modified tennis net. Players use their feet instead of racquets to hit a soccer ball over the net and aim for targets on the opponent's side of the court.

Points are scored similarly to tennis - the first player or team to win four points wins the game. Soccer tennis promotes ball control and footwork skills useful in soccer gameplay.

Houston Dash Players Take the Court

The Houston Dash event featured eight players paired up into teams of two. Fan favorites Nichelle Prince, Ella Dederick, Maria Sanchez, and others took the court to showcase their soccer tennis skills.

The tournament was structured as a single elimination event with each match played as the best of three games to 11 points. The atmosphere was lively, with players cheering each other on and celebrating impressive shots.

Highlight Reel Moments

There was no shortage of excitement and hilarious moments in this friendly preseason competition. Some of the highlights included:

• Nichelle Prince scoring points using ambitious bicycle kick shots
• Questionable line calls leading to playful debates between opponents
• Ella Dederick lobbing a sneaky underhand serve past Maria Sanchez
• A rally lasting over a minute with multiple diving saves and athletic recoveries

The Houston Dash players embraced the casual spirit of the tournament. While there were a few questionable calls, overall it was clear the focus was on having fun.

Prince and Dederick Prevail

After battling through the bracket, the team of Nichelle Prince and Ella Dederick emerged victorious in the final match.

Their soccer tennis chemistry was evident from the start. They used their footwork and field awareness from years of soccer experience to cover the court. When tournament organizers presented them with the inaugural Houston Dash Preseason Soccer Tennis Tournament trophy, the celebrations officially began.

Takeaways: Fun, Footwork, and Team Chemistry

When speaking to the Houston Dash about the motivations behind the event, representatives shared a few key goals.

Firstly, they hoped integrating a fun new activity would stimulate team bonding during the preseason. Based on the smiles and cheers throughout the tournament, mission accomplished!

Additionally, they viewed soccer tennis as an enjoyable way for players to sharpen reaction speed and footwork technique through game repetition. As players dived for shots and maneuvered the ball over the net, it was great footwork practice disguised as recreation.

Finally, encouraging players to pair up sparked new opportunities for teambulding between veteran stars like Prince and Dederick and rising talents like Sanchez. The unique partnerships formed will hopefully strengthen team chemistry headed into the NWSL season.

What Does the Future Hold?

When asked about plans to build on the inaugural event's success, Houston Dash staff hinted at tentative plans already being discussed internally.

Ideas include inviting fans to attend future events as a unique way to interact with Dash players during preseason. Additionally, they may expand the field to include more players and potentially hold other soccer variant tournaments like foot volleyball.

After such a fun kickoff tournament, the Houston Dash will undoubtedly keep exploring new ways to creatively engage fans and strengthen team bonds during preseason training.

FAQs

What is soccer tennis?

Soccer tennis is a sport combining elements of soccer and tennis. It is played on a tennis court with a modified net using a soccer ball and only allowing players to strike the ball with their feet or head.

Who competed in the Dash tournament?

Houston Dash players including Nichelle Prince, Ella Dederick, Maria Sanchez and others were paired into teams of two to compete in the inaugural soccer tennis tournament.

What were some highlights of the event?

Highlights included Nichelle Prince scoring points with bicycle kicks, questionable line calls leading to funny debates, Ella Dederick sneaking an underhand serve past Sanchez, and an intense 1+ minute rally.

Did the players enjoy the tournament?

Yes, the Houston Dash players fully embraced the casual, fun spirit of the competition. There were plenty of smiles and cheers throughout while sharpening skills.