Put Up or Shut Up: Dukes Open League Play

NEWPORT BEACH —  The dress rehearsal went well, but now the Newport Beach Dukes begin for real.

The Dukes open the Team Tennis season against the Raleigh Edge at 7:30 tonight at the John Wayne Tennis Club in Newport Beach.

Making their exhibition debut Tuesday night, the Dukes were introduced to a crowd of about 1,200, then defeated a UC Irvine alumni team, 30-16.

It didn’t prove much of a test for the Dukes.

Mike Briggs, a former UCI All-American now playing on the pro tour, fared best among the former Anteaters, but he fell, 6-5, to Roger Smith.

Sophie Amiach and Amy Frazier formed an overpowering doubles team for the Dukes, and Marty Davis’ experience proved too much for the UCI alumni.

Whether the Dukes can handle Team Tennis opponents as easily remains to be seen.

But Greg Patton, the Dukes’ coach, liked what he saw.

“It’s like love at first sight,” he said. “I’m real excited.”

Patton is still searching for the Dukes’ strongest lineup. Tuesday’s exhibition gave him a chance to experiment, and he said he plans further shuffling.

Raleigh, another new Team Tennis franchise, is one of the league’s toughest teams, according to Patton.

The Edge features Tim Pawsat and Tim Wilkison, two Team Tennis veterans.