Featured Player – Page 3 – Jeff Mason Table Tennis

Molly Little

Molly Little is one of our top women competitors at the Ambridge TTC. She features powerful blocking and hitting on both wings. She is now trading in many of her old style block shots (like so many others are doing) for the more modern counter spin strokes. The new close to the table spin game will have Molly playing a top level in just a short time. Molly teams with her brother Joe Little in the Leagues and will be a top seeded team competing in the Spring 2018 leagues. Molly is a principal at one of Portland’s public schools. She is an awesome educator and a fantastic person. In addition, did you know that Molly was a former Salsa singer and performer in a Portland band and her group was also featured in a Hollywood movie?

Brian Kimura

Brian Kimura is one of the most improved players from the Ambridge TTC. He also plays at the MAC (Multnomah Athletic Club), our sister club, as one of their top players. Brian features a strong backhand counter and spin game with a powerful forehand loop which tends to be his winning shot. Brian trains in the Tuesday Intermediate-Advanced group and will continue to improve way beyond his current level in the next few months. He is known to be a great sport and fun player to play against. Neil Johnson and Brian teamed together and took Silver medals in the Winter League’s A Division, 2018. Brian is a super competitor and a great sport. We thank Brian for all the help he gives at the end of the night putting equipment away.

Deirdre Froehlich

Deirdre Froehlich (obviously on the left), is one of the top women players at the club. Deirdre’s close to the table attack game features a steady backhand and strong forehand. Deirdre plays in the leagues and most of the tournament at the club. She has also participated with the Ambridge TT team in two US Open tournaments in Las Vegas. Deirdre is one of the most improved players at the Ambridge TTC. You can watch Deirdre train in both the Monday 7 pm (level 4) and the Tuesday (level 5 and 6) training sessions. Whatever you do, don’t challenge her to a game of Scrabble, she’s incredible!! Sandy and Jeff maintain that Dr. Froehlich is also the best dentist in the World.

Ray King

Ray King (farthest on the left) is a highlight of the Ambridge TTC and the MAC. Ray. Ray features an attacking game with a very strong backhand and a spinny forehand. He is also an excellent photographer and you’ll see many of his pictures on this website. Ray plays at three clubs in Portland: The Ambridge TTC, Pure Pong, and the MAC. If you win or lose to Ray, you’ll find his great sporting-like attitude pleasant and impressive. He is one of the best sports at the club and has positively represented the Ambridge TTC in the 2015 US Open in Las Vegas. You can also see Ray play on Sunday mornings during his lessons.

Bryna Smith

Bryna Smith is our #1 ranked woman at the club. She is one of our six coaches. Bryna is one of our most colorful personalities and has a fierce competitive spirit. She has played for the Ambridge TTC in the last two US Opens in Las Vegas winning several great matches. An active USA rated player and one of the top women in Portland, Bryna competes in various clubs around the city. Her style features an all around attack game, but can easily transition into exciting lob defensive game. Take a look at her fantastic forehand loop and hit. Bryna is one of the top, core of 14 players, in the Thursday Advanced-Master training program and plays in the leagues at the club. You might see her smiling when she plays. She knows how to enjoy the sport. Also, if you’re interested in a funny, witty, creative movie, watch Neil Striker – Tyrants of Time, because Bryna is one of the stars and creators of this Internationally acclaimed independent film.

Bryna Smith

Taiji Yamakawa

Taiji Yamakawa (on the left), is one of the most improved players at the club. He and his partner (Keshav, on the right) won the Division C 2-Person Team leagues in March 2018. Taiji plays a strong looping game with great footwork and dramatic shots. He is a fun player to watch and will certainly become one of the top players at the Ambridge TTC in just a short time. Taiji has just graduated from Level 3 to the Level 4 TRAINING SESSIONS. He is a great sport and a great role-model for other young players.

Lila Jones

Lila is one of our top junior stars at the Ambridge TTC. She is excited about developing her Modern Defensive game. However, at this point she is mostly an attacking player. Lila’s technique and strokes are smooth and fun to watch. She is currently playing in the Novice League level, but will soon jump up to the Intermediate status. Lila is training in the Monday night level 3, coaching program, and will soon be moving to level 4, very soon. We look forward to her progress and are so happy to have such a great role-model for other kids at the club.

Arturo Zendrera

Arturo is one of the top players at the Ambridge TTC. His new style of play is a Modern Defender. He has developed an outstanding forehand loop and a beautiful chopping game on the backhand side. Arturo has a smooth, relaxed style of play mixed with big point-winning forehand loops. He has a great sporting-like personality and a fun player to have at the club. He is currently in the Advanced-Master Program. Look for Arturo to become a Master level player in just a couple years.

Adam Mertz

Adam is one of our most improved players at the club. He has shot up to the top level of our club in just about a year’s time. Incredible improvement! Adam plays a strong looping game and is not opposed to hitting occasionally as well. His speedy footwork allows him to cover the whole court and makes for one of the most entertaining players to watch. He is now in the Advanced-Master Program that trains on Thursdays. He will most likely get to the Master level in the next couple years. Adam is a great sport and everyone likes his pleasant personality and dedication to the sport. His son Nick is also a great new force at the club.