This turned out to be a wonderful experience from start to finish. This was our first exposure on a national level. And from the moment we stepped into the tournament venue, I realized, "Hey, you are not in Kansas anymore." The atmosphere was alive with the sounds of hard rubber balls being bounced against floor boards with their resounding thump and against plaster walls that echo the crisp thwacks that so characterize our sport. Old friends, rivals and acquaintances exchanged greetings in the form of handshakes and hugs. And because the contingency of Maryland/Virginia/Washington DC/Pennsylvania players was so evident, I immediately felt comfortable and at home.