Brenda Pares
by Ben Brighton

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	Brenda making a shot during the 2004 Women's Open Doubles

The result was Brenda winning one-wall’s equivalent of the grand slam in tennis. She won Queen of the Courts beating the best in big blue. Next was a win at the Mayor’s Cup over Anna Calderon. That win raised eyebrows and expectations for the Nationals. The Nationals is 4 grueling days of singles and doubles matches.

The range of emotions is great. Highs and lows, warming up for one match and cooling down after another. Each night you nurse your injured and tired body for another day’s battle while plotting strategy for your next opponent. A test of skills, endurance, will power, pain tolerance and recuperative powers the Nationals can compare with any other athletic contest for the physical and mental demands it places on its competitors.

Wins over Kim Johnson, Dori ten and Karen McConney propelled her to the finals. It takes a great opponent to make a memorable match. Ali had Frazier, Evert had Navritalova. Pares had Figueroa. Her size and power make Veronica “Power Puff” perhaps the most intimidating player in women's handball.

Veronica jumped to a 19-5 lead. Brenda’s attractive exterior and tennis like outfit does not hint at the ferocious competitor that lies inside. With an array of serves and killshots Pares actually took the lead 20-19 before falling 21-20. That heartbreaking defeat might have demoralized another player but Brenda used her comeback as a positive; she had been knocked down, but had risen off the mat and was ready to fight. Trailing in the second game she came back and forced a tie-breaker.

At 5-2, in the tie-breaker, an ankle injury forced Figueroa to the sideline. She bravely came back but clearly momentum had shifted as Brenda would not be denied.

Spectators cheered loud and long for one of the best women's finals in years.

The next time I play Brenda singles if I lose, I will not take it so hard. I would have lost to the National singles champion.

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