by: Grant Chambers:: ResultsMonday - October 30
The 2006 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships (Advanced) has concluded. Congratulations to the following winning teams for their great determination and perseverance! For a match-by-match results recap and final standings for all teams, please visit the "results" link above.
USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (ADVANCED)18 & UNDERChampion: Miami, Flor. – USTA Florida Section
2nd place: Charlotte, North Carolina. – USTA Southern Section
3rd place: New Albany, Ohio. – USTA Midwest Section
4th place: Bremerton, Wash. – USTA Pacific Northwest Section
USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (ADVANCED) 14 & UNDER
Champion: Dallas, Tex. – USTA Texas Section
2nd place: Fullerton, Calif. – USTA Southern California
3rd place: Salt Lake City, Utah – USTA Intermountain Section
4th place: Bronx, NY – USTA Eastern Section
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERS
18 & Under Boy – John Haley – Team Dominion Gold - USTA Texas Section
18 & Under Girl – Marie Tanaka – Team Kailua - USTA Hawaii Section
14 & Under Boy – Chase Pipkin – Team Middle States2 - USTA Middle States Section
14 & Under Girl – Rachel Allen – Team Tundra Tweeners - USTA Midwest Section
Winning Teams Photos
18 & Under Champion: Miami, Flor. – USTA Florida Section
(left to right) – Liset Brito, Jake Annear (rear), Agustina Cybel, Luke Mojica, Roland Martinez, Noel Cubela (coach), Federico Cybel, Gabriela Palacios
14 & Under Champion: Dallas, Tex. – USTA Texas Section
Front row: (left to right)- Isabelle Rodriguez, Casey Johnson, Michael Smith, Joshua Izzard, Nicki Johnson, Gabriel Sandoval
18 & Under 2nd place: Charlotte, North Carolina. – USTA Southern Section
(left to right) – Daniel Tobben, Christina Calott, Brendan O’Connor, Jennifer Marvin, Amber Arciero, Ted Monks, Carla O’Connor (coach)
14 & Under 2nd place: Fullerton, Calif. – USTA Southern California
(left to right) - Pearl Pattugalan (coach), Lea Lynn Yen, Alexandra Lim, Krista Hardebeck, Courtney Pattugalan, Caryl Hernandez, Jonathan Poon, Justin Agbayani (front), Rickey Baylon (back), Matthew Ta
Also pictured – Robert Baylon (front and center)
18 & Under 3rd place: New Albany, Ohio. – USTA Midwest Section
(left to right) – Alex Solove, Maddy Kobelt, Carly Solomon, Peter Kobelt, Matt Larsen (coach), Skyler Engel, Peggy Hemphill, Riyad Bennoui, Nadia Bennoui
14 & Under 3rd place: Salt Lake City, Utah – USTA Intermountain Section
Front row: (left to right) – Mikelle Mancini, Kelsie Craig, Hillary Hays, Matthew Cowley,
Back row: (left to right) – Clark Barton (coach), Trey Kennedy, Callie Craig, Lopiseni Finau
18 & Under 4th place: Bremerton, Wash. – USTA Pacific Northwest Section
(left to right) – Sachi Sugimoto, Sasha Carter, William Herbert, Scott Sullivan, Erik Jacobson (coach), Jacob Hobaugh, Christy Sipes, Aya Sugimoto, Justin Hike
14 & Under 4th place: Bronx, NY – USTA Eastern Section
Front row: (left to right) – Jemila Brady, Gabrielle Sullivan, Angela Assal
Back row: (left to right) – Anthony Assal, Asika Isoh, Ronald McKenzie (coach), Sebastien Lafontant
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Sunday Evening Special Event: Halloween Party!After three days of top-notch competitive tennis, players, coaches and supporters were able to let their guard down at the Sunday night Player Halloween Party! Festivities included a haunted house entry, a vampire dj, a live Frankenstein head on a platter, plenty of "thriller" dancing and more!
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Sunday, October 29
Day 3 of the 2006 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships - Advanced is underway in San Diego, California. On tap we have several very close flight contentions. Be sure to keep up with the action using the above "results" link.
Delaware Fireballs Playing for Billy
Team Delaware Fireballs are wearing green bracelets all weekend long in support of their friend Billy Mock who is currently holding strong in a battle with cancer. The bracelets are inscribed with the words “I’m praying for Billy.” The color green was chosen because Billy’s is a big Philadelphia Eagles fan. In a team statement, the Fireballs said, “Hang in there Billy. We’re all praying for you!”
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| Delaware Fireballs |
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| Middle States 2 Smashers - (left to right): Andrew Grossman, Renee Wilson, Patrick Moran, Hannah Pipkin, Leah Rutt and Chase Pipkin |
Gift Giving at Nationals
A long standing tradition at USTA national championship events, teams often times exchange gifts before they play. Shown below,
Team MiddleStates 2 Smashers presents their team gift, a custom wrapped Hershey’s chocolate bar. A friend from their hometown created a design and printed these special labels which include their team name and photo. The Smashers are from Hempfield, a town near Hershey, Pennsylvania which is famous for it's production of Hershey candy bars. One team member commented, "that town just smells like chocolate!" The team had to bring over 100 bars to the event this weekend!
Miami Dream Team Draws Inspiration from Bobby Curtis
The Miami Dream Team, playing in the 18 and under division, has posted an overall 107-61 record this weekend, good enough to land the team a spot in Monday’s final round. Pictured below is the team, along with tennis legend Bobby Curtis, after winning their sectional championship earlier this year in Lakeland, Florida. As many people have over time, they too draw inspiration from Mr. Curtis, a long-time fixture in the Florida tennis scene. “Bobby Curtis is a legend,” stated team coach Noel Cubela. He went on to say, “His attitude and discipline help keep kids happy in every tournament. We respect him very much.” Among many other things, Mr. Curtis is known for once teaching Arthur Ashe and most recently for his program
Bobby Curtis Tennis On The Move presented by the Andy Roddick Foundation.
Tennis On the Move is an interactive and traveling tennis carnival which provides a way to bring a small dose of tennis to a community festival, jamboree or grand opening in an effort to introduce tennis to non-players in a fun and creative way.
Getting Ready for Tonight!Angela Assal, team member of the USTA Eastern Section 14 and under team, is excited for tonight's Halloween Player Party. The party will feature a halloween costume contest which Angela says, "I am going to win!" Shown below, Angela was strolling around the grounds today with part of her costume. "This is actually my math teacher, Mr. Abrahams. Mr. Abrams is not a penguin, but he wears glasses and a striped shirt like this one," stated Angela.
Check back tomorrow for pictures from tonight's event.
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Saturday Evening Special Event: San Diego Zoo!
Close to 400 players, coaches and supporters gathered for a fun-filled evening at the world famous San Diego Zoo. After a 45 minute bus tour of the zoo, appetizers and a buffet dinner were served in an outdoor setting where elephants, rhinos and other exotic animals were only feet away
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Saturday, October 28
Day 2 of the 2006 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships - Advanced has concluded! Be sure to use the "results" link above to track the latest standings. We have compiled the below stories and photos for your viewing pleasure. Plus - players, coaches and supporters are all in for an exciting evening at the San Diego Zoo, so keep checking back for more photos and stories!
Team Desdamona TC United Honors Late Team Member Desiree Bastian
Team Desdamona TC United, from Salt Lake City, Utah, is playing with a unique spirit carried by no other team competing this weekend. On July 22, 2006, team member Desiree Bastian and her brother Travis were killed in a car accident. At the young age of 15, Desiree is remembered as a bright young tennis star, but most importantly for her infections personality and love for life. Coach Clark Barton stated, “Des was an infections personality and a real entertainer! She had a real love for life and especially for people.”
One of her nicknames was “Desdamona.” Her team has adopted this name into their overall team name, “Desdamona TC United.”. The team is honoring Desiree this weekend with team shirts, pink wristbands as well as the strong connection and great memories that each team member will carry with them for the rest of their life. “It helps us to play when we think about her,” stated team member Callie Craig. Team member Mikelle Mancini went on to say, “it’s so different without her here. We really don’t get mad on the court. It puts everything else into perspective.”
Team Desdamona TC United is undefeated through 2 rounds this weekend. Their overall record thus far is an event best, 118-30.
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| Team Desdamona TC United |
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| Sandra Walker (center) with mother Delores Walker (left) and brother Charles "Kip" Walker (right) |
Sandra Walker’s First Opponent Was a Satellite Dish
Sandra Walker, member of the Team Valley from Albuquerque, New Mexico, credits her brother, Charles “Kip” Walker, with igniting her interest in tennis at the young age of 7. Over the years, strong support from Kip and her mother Delores as well as others has helped Sandra excel to high levels. Both Kip, and Delores are here in support of Sandra this weekend. In fact, Kip endured a 6-hour flight from Boston arriving late last night! “I remember when I first got Sandra interested in tennis,” mentioned Kip. “We had a huge satellite dish in our yard. I would show her the “ready position”, throw her a ball, and she would hit it into the satellite dish!”
At the age of 16, Sandra is ranked in the top 20 of the USTA Southwest’s 18 and under division. Only a junior at Sandia High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she has already received several scholarship letters from universities around the country.
So far, Sandra has played two mixed doubles and two singles matches this weekend posting an undefeated 4-0 record.
Brothers in Arms
This year, the USTA Northern Section received one of the wild card births and has two teams competing in the 14 and under division here at nationals. Both teams hail from the Moore Lake Tennis Academy located in Zimmerman, Minnesota. Between the teams, there are two sets of brothers. Shown below, from left to right, brothers Dusty and Toby Boyer along with twin brothers Josh and Sam Gearou.
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| Nick Allen, Team Tundra Tweeners |
Move over Federer, Nick Allen Brings 33-match Win Streak
Nick Allen, member of Team Tundra Tweeners from Green Bay Wisconsin, has to remember way back to the year 2004 to date his last loss as a “Tweener”. Coming into this weekend’s national championships, Nick has won a staggering 33 matches in a row with Team Tundra Tweeners. “Some matches are tough, some are easy,” stated Nick. “This is really fun”. When comparing Nick’s streak to the current 21 match win streak of Roger Federer, Nick simply stated, “that’s cool.”
See for yourself! 2005 Results 2006 Results*
*In Nick’s 2006 results, there is one posting showing a loss in August of this year. Due to an uncontrollable circumstance, Nick and his partner were unable to even step on the court to play this match. Every match Nick has played since November of 2004, he has won!
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Friday, October 27
The 2006 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships - Advanced is underway in San Diego, California. Being held at the Barnes Tennis Center, this event marks the culmination of a year-long series of competitions at the local, state/district, and section levels. The National Championships serve as the crown jewel of USTA Jr. Team Tennis. We're in for a day of magnificent weather, sportsmanship, tennis and more! Stay tuned for more information!
Quick Facts: Team Kailua
- Hometown:Kailua, Hawaii
- Facility: Kailua District Park
- Section: USTA Hawaii Section
- Team Coaches: Arnold Yuen, Pam Nakaso
- Division: 18 & under advanced division
- Marie Tanaka was one-half of sister team who captured girls doubles championship for Hawaii public schools in 2006. She and twin sister, Joelle, graduated from Kailua High School.
- Sarah Nakaso has participated in all four team tennis nationals representing Hawaii section.
- Jason Lum is one-half of boys doubles finalists for Hawaii public schools.
- Emile Meder is all-round athlete—surfs, tennis, cross country.
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Hula-hoops, Bull whips Medicine Balls….and Tennis
Team Carrington, competing in the 14 and under advanced division this weekend, are prepared to handle adversity on the tennis court, even if they have to play with a hoola-hoop wrapped around them! Team Carrington proudly calls the Art Carrington Tennis Academy home. At the Academy, located at the Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts , professional/coach Art Carrington runs the facility like a playground. Art uses a variety of innovative exercise and practice techniques to teach tennis fundamentals. Team members warm up using traditional and non-traditional exercises and equipment, e.g., jump rope, medicine balls, hula-hoops, ribbons, and bull whips. In fact, several players can volley, serve, and hit overheads while simultaneously keeping a hula-hoop spinning around their waists.
Parents aren’t allowed to do anything more dangerous than hula-hoop sling’in.
“It is such a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere that many parents spend their afternoons picking up balls, chatting with the instructors and other parents, and occasionally playing with the team,” stated team coordinator Kathe Rollings.
Quick Facts: Prince George's Tennis & Education Foundation Red Team
- Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland
- Facility: Watkins Regional Park
- Section: USTA Mid-Atlantic Section
- Coaches: Derek Colbert and Gary Tobias
- Division: 14 & under advanced division
- Nine players are on the team, (5 girls, 4 boys) ages 11-14. Eight will be coming to San Diego.
- Eight of the nine players ended the 2005-2006 school year on the honor roll.
- Anastasia and Epiphany English are sisters that are both on the Team.
- Kenya Colbert, Darien Sears, and Myron Davis all have older sisters that are members of Prince George's Tennis & Education Foundation (PGTEF).
Kenya’s dad coaches the team. - Myron’s dad is the director of the Watkins Regional Park Tennis Bubble; a park and recreation facility that hosts PGTEF programs.
PCTE Team
Back row (left to right): Epiphany English Kenya Colbert, Palesa Motshidi, Darien Sears, Anthony Harrison
Front row (left to right): Reggie Robinson, Reggis Lesesne, Myron Davis, Anastasia English
Size and Age No Match for Team South Jersey
When Team South Jersey coach Millie Sams recruited eight kids for her 14 and under advanced team for the Junior Team Tennis League, she had no idea that this would culminate in a trip to the nationals. However, after beating out the second place team at the sectional championships by just four games, the team earned their spot at this year’s national championships in San Diego.
Playing out of Mill Creek Park in Willingboro, NJ, Team South Jersey began their local league competition. At the local league level, there were no other 14 and under teams to compete against, so they played kids in the 18 and under division. “Perhaps this practice of playing older kids helped them prepare for the sectionals,” stated Sams. “The kids are about to burst, they’re so excited,” said Sams, who is also the executive secretary of the USTA Middle States - New Jersey District and the junior coordinator for the South Jersey Tennis Club. “They didn’t even know each other. Now they love getting together.”
Seven of the eight team players have made the trip to nationals. In order to fund their trip, the team raised more than $2,500 through generous donations from the district, their section as well as other local resources.
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| USTA Middle States - Team South Jersey - competing in the 14 & under advanced division |
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| USTA Midwest Section - Team Tundra Tweeners - Competiting in the 14 & Under Advanced Division |
Tundra Tweeners Find Inspiration at Hometown Lambeau Field
From their team motto and team name, down to the core of their attitudes, you’ll find a lot of Lambeau Field personality in the Tundra Tweeners representing the USTA Midwest Section from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The team’s motto is: “Having Fun Isn’t Everything, It is The Only Thing!”. These words were borrowed, or we should say adopted, from the infamous Vince Lombardi. Team manager Dane Allen says, “this philosophy has played a big role in keeping the same group of kids (and parents) together for a couple of years, whether winning or losing.
Their team name, “Tundra Tweeners”, is derived from Lambeau Field’s nickname “frozen tundra” and the “tweener” tennis shot. Each player can hit a “tweener,” otherwise known as a “between-the-legs” shot, at varying levels of ability. Team manager Dane Allen stated, “they practice them so they are prepared to hit them when the opportunity comes.” He went on to say, “their dream is to hit a winner on match point at the National Championships using a “tweener” shot!”
Texas's S.W.A.T. Team Unveils Unique Secret
Team S.W.A.T., representing the USTA Texas Section in the 14 and under division has been a team since they were all 11 years old. The team, coached by Russ Johnson, has had a unique team strategy since day one. "We are unique in that when we started we would go out for ice cream after every match (mandatory fun time)" stated Johnson. He went on to say, "one year later the parents wanted to go out after so it went from ice cream with the kids to dinner out as a team. We still about once a month after the season have a get together at someone's house and we have it on a weekend day when EVERYONE can make it!"
PHOTOS:
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| Team Barbers Point - USTA Hawaii Section - competing in the 14 & under advanced division |
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| USTA Southern California - Team Fullerton - Competiting in 14 & Under - Advanced Division |
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| USTA Northern Section - Team Moore Lake "A" - Competing in 14 & Under Advanced Division |
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| USTA Northern Section - Team Hibbing - Competing in 18 & Under Advanced Division |
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| USTA Northern Section - Team Moore Lake "B" - Competing in 14 & Under Advanced Division |
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| USTA Middle States - Team Hempfield-Pipken - competing in the 14 & under advanced division |
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| Team Warriors - USTA Missouri Valley Section - competing in the 18 & under division |