A recent team contest in Division 2A featured defending Division 2 champion Flip Side hosting The Westside International at Song Jeho’s Club in Koreatown. The Westside International have been fixtures in LATTF competition since the league’s inception, but since the teams were in different divisions last season, for some of the players, this was their first time competing at Song Jeho Table Tennis Club.

“It’s a nice, clean facility, and it was exciting playing there,” said Mark Hezinger, of The Westside International.

Despite being the underdogs, Mark started fearlessly, taking the first match for his team 3-1 (with scores of 10, -7, 10, 6). This initial confidence boost for the visitors proved short-lived as Flip Side used their home court advantage to capture the remaining matches, winning the team contest by a final score of 4-1.

Mark Hezinger in action for The Westside International

“In the first match, I was able to stick to my strategy and play to my strengths,” Hezinger mused after the team contest. “But in the doubles match they kept looping at the middle of the table, and the ball was so spinny … it tricked me.”

Mark and teammate Milan Obradovic eventually succumbed 0-3 in that match (by scores of 5, 10, and 6) to Flip Side’s pairing of John Eseo and Mike Tadiaman.

As great as it is to win, Mark pointed out that really, the most important part of participating in the league is was all the fun his team has had of visiting different clubs, meeting new people, and playing a variety of opponents. And in keeping with their team’s LATTF tradition, after their league match, the Westside players got together with their spouses and children and went out to dinner together at a local restaurant.

“It’s really nice having these experiences that bring people together and to be able to share quality time with your teammates and loved ones,” Mark reflected. After all, isn’t that really what the league is all about?

 Full results of the team contest: Flip Side vs. The Westside International (on 03/23/2013)