USTA Missouri Valley Cusicks Shine At NTRP Nationals

The USTA Missouri Valley found success at the inaugural NTRP National Championships which were recently held in Surprise, Arizona.

Andrew Cusick and Brandon Cusick finished second in 4.5 men's doubles, while Aaron Ogden of Lincoln, Nebraska earned a spot in the semifinals in 4.0 men's singles, and 4.0 men's doubles with partner Chris Freeman.

Lindsey Hall and Laura Haney of Springfield, Missouri competed in 4.5 women's doubles, while Karen Davis of Overland Park, Kansas. competed in 3.5 women's singles and joined partner Jody Holsinger, also of Overland Park, in doubles. Stephanie Theis of Hastings, Nebraska also competed in 4.0 women's singles. 

The NTRP National Championships is a new national adult tournament that leverages the NTRP rating system as a means to create level-based individual competition at the 18 & Over and 50 & Over age groups. 

Players were nominated from each of the 17 USTA sections, all meeting the qualifications of being a current USTA member and having participated in at least one NTRP tournament within the last 12 months. 

Besides the two age groups, play was divided by sex and NTRP ratings in the 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions.

Winners were crowned for the first time based on short sets, which is a no advantage set to four games, instead of the usual six game set with advantage scoring. 

Click here to view a photo gallery from the event.