Through hard work and dedication not one but two USTA Mid-Atlantic teams, both the Men’s 40 & Over 3.0 team and the 55 & Over 8.0 team, secured a spot in the top five at the National Championship on October 22-24.
Most of the players on the Virginia Beach Adult 55 & Over 8.0 team have been playing together for about four years so when it was time for captain, Richard Stevens, to get everyone ready to take on semi-finals the commitment to success was through and through. Stevens' team successfully won third place against USTA Hawaii 8.0 Men’s team during the Third Fourth Play-Offs.
“We placed first in 2017 and second in 2019, third this year was the finishing touch on a very good run,” said Stevens. “I have played tennis with a lot of these players for 10-20-30 years, they know me as captain and [are] always ready to practice.”
Together with Captain Stevens, the team is made up of: John Griffen, Co-Captain Phil Meadows, Scott Willett, Paul Barrera, Roy Loehr, Lee Coates, Mike Sullivan, Michael Heisler, David Cullen and Daniel Weckstein.
Teamwork also made the dream work for Captain Tim Munshell’s, Howard-Columbia MD., Adult 40 & Over 3.0 team winning fourth place this year. Munshell’s team practices out of Owen Brown Tennis Club in Columbia Maryland.
This year they faced off against Northwest Washington 2021 Adult 40 & Over team out of Bellevue WA., during the Third Fourth Play-Offs.
Playing alongside Captain Munshell: Co-Captain Kevin Ro, Bhupal Reddy Thoti Reddy, Johnny Hsiung, Michael Litzau, Ricardo Cont, Christian Lee, Peter Hong, James Albert, Armando Zamora, Surendra Babu, Bill Hartman, Sean Alewine, Maurilio Sanches, and Joseph Kowalczyk.
Tennis in the Mid-Atlantic creates community, and the connections made out on the tennis court while playing USTA Leagues will last a lifetime. The camaraderie amongst all of the players out on court at Nationals was strong because they were all in it together. Success was imminent for both Mid-Atlantic teams and excitement of success was all around.
Two Mid-Atlantic women’s tennis teams also competed at Nationals that same weekend. Captain Pamela Baker’s Maryland Forty West Women’s Adult 55 & Over 8.0 Team was present along with Captain Stephanie Bozarth’s NOVA Adult 40 & Over Summer Indoor team.
Congratulations to all of the Mid-Atlantic teams that competed at USTA League Nationals, you all scored high.
To follow Mid-Atlantic’s journey at Nationals make sure to visit our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for updates. Also, if you’re feeling inspired by these victories and want to get out on the tennis court, you can find a USTA League near you by viewing the local league calendar or by contacting us and we will help you find a team.
USTA Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.
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