Junior Team Tennis Open debuts with spirited competition at Kossover in Topeka
A dozen teams descended upon Topeka, Kan., to participate in the inaugural USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open. The competitive team event took place at the recently refurbished Kossover Tennis Center on July 14-15.
The Junior Team Tennis Open — which replaced JTT Qualifiers and the JTT Section Championship of preceding years — emphasized standout sportsmanship, team spirit and player development within the USTA Missouri Valley framework.
“The team environment is what makes Junior Team Tennis so special,” said Tara Williams, senior manager of junior team play for USTA Missouri Valley. “Players experience tennis differently than in individual tournaments. They’re competing alongside their teammates, cheering each other on and building friendships throughout the weekend.”
Each team was comprised of a minimum of two boys and two girls as well as a Safe Play-approved coach or manager. Squads played a total of five round-robin matches with the cumulative number of games won determining overall placement. Each head-to-head matchup consisted of girls’ singles, boys’ singles, mixed doubles, girls’ doubles and boys’ doubles.
In 18 & Under play, the Tulsa-based Southern Hills Country Club Blue team accumulated 131 games to edge Wichita’s Genesis Greys, which won 126 games. Angie Wang from Genesis KC Racquet Club was selected as the sportsmanship winner, while the Genesis Greys claimed the team spirit award.
The race for the 14 & Under championship was especially tight, with the top four teams separated by only 11 games. Genesis Salina eked out the title with 123 games won, with Genesis KC Racquet Club Blue just one game behind. Ashwin Mukkamala of the Topeka Country Club Tadpoles received the sportsmanship award, and the Kossover squad won the team spirit award.
“The players competed hard, but they also showed respect for their opponents, teammates and coaches,” Williams said. “We saw countless examples of players encouraging one another, making fair calls and representing their teams well.
Twelve teams competed in the inaugural USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open, which ran July 14-15 at Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka, Kan.
The Southern Hills Country Club Blue team from Tulsa captured the 18U championship by winning a total of 131 games.
The 14U title went to Genesis Salina in Kansas. The team won a total of 123 games, which was one game more than runner-up Genesis KC Racquet Club Blue.
The Junior Team Tennis Open was run by USTA Missouri Valley staffers Sam Owoo-Battlet, Casey McKenzie, Tara Williams and Talli Shepherd.
- Twelve teams competed in the inaugural USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open, which ran July 14-15 at Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka, Kan.
- The Southern Hills Country Club Blue team from Tulsa captured the 18U championship by winning a total of 131 games.
- The 14U title went to Genesis Salina in Kansas. The team won a total of 123 games, which was one game more than runner-up Genesis KC Racquet Club Blue.
- The Junior Team Tennis Open was run by USTA Missouri Valley staffers Sam Owoo-Battlet, Casey McKenzie, Tara Williams and Talli Shepherd.
“There were also moments that provided teaching opportunities for coaches. Whether discussing court etiquette, handling tough situations or showing respect for opponents and staff, they helped players understand that sportsmanship is just as important as the final score. That’s exactly what Junior Team Tennis is all about.”
Players and coaches were decked out in beach attire the first day of action and dressed for color wars on Day 2. All players and coaches were provided cooling towels. Williams credited Kossover — which constructed four new tennis courts and resurfaced its 18 other courts — for being terrific hosts.
“Events like this don’t happen without everyone’s support,” Williams said. “Seeing so many young athletes compete with passion, sportsmanship and teamwork is a reminder of why Junior Team Tennis continues to be such an important part of player development. Thank you to Alexis Czapinski and her staff at Kossover Tennis Center for providing such a great venue for the event.”
Learn more about the Junior Team Tennis Open here, and find out how to get involved in JTT at the local level by clicking here.
18 & Under Results
1. Southern Hills CC Blue (Troyke / Tulsa)
2. Genesis Greys (Tan / Wichita)
3. TCC Mudpuppies (Lobatos / Topeka)
4. Southern Hills CC Red (Troyke / Tulsa)
5. Genesis KCRC Orange (Smith / Merriam)
6. Genesis KCRC Maroon (Smith / Merriam)
14 & Under Results
1. Genesis Salina (Hernandez / Salina)
2. Genesis KCRC Blue (Smith / Merriam)
3. Kossover Team (Czapinski / Topeka)
4. Genesis KCRC Red (Smith / Merriam)
5. Genesis Greys (Tan / Wichita)
6. TCC Tadpoles (Lobatos / Topeka)
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