Junior Team Tennis Section Championship A Rousing Success For All

The 2022 USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Section Championship was a rousing success at Edmond Center Court in Edmond, Okla. on July 19-20. A total of 97 players showed up representing 12 teams from across the section for two days of fun, camaraderie and competition.

Following the Junior Team Tennis model, the championship was contested in two age divisions: 14 & Under and 18 & Under, both at the intermediate level. The winning team from each division earned the right to advance to the Junior Team Tennis National Championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla in early October.

The 18U team from Racquet & Health 91 in Tulsa, Okla., coached by Ellie Bailey, took home top honors in their division. In the 14U division, it was Oklahoma City’s Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy team, coached by Brad Lund, that came out on top.

However, the Section Championship is about so much more than just who wins their matches. While competition is obviously a big component, sportsmanship and teamwork always take center stage when it comes to Junior Team Tennis. At the completion of each team match, each coach nominated 1 boy and 1 girl in the 14's and 18's from the opposing team as their sportsmanship selection,

Augustine Huston from Racquet & Health 91 and Camryn Jacobsmeier from West Omaha won the coveted Sportsmanship Awards for the 18U division. Brandon Wong from Edwardsville and Grace Leitner from Creve Couer Racquet Club (St. Louis) were the recipients of the award for the 14U division.

Speaking of awards, Junior Team Tennis has possibly the most exciting award of all: the Color Blast Award! This is given to the team with the best team uniforms. The Edwardsville team once again put together a strong showing in that department to win the Color Blast Award in both divisions.

Off the court, USTA Missouri Valley Community Tennis & Junior Team Tennis Manager Tara Williams went above and beyond to help combat the high temperatures. She had Bondi Bowls on-site to provide shaved ice and lemonades to players and coaches. She also had a trainer present to help the kids stay cool and healthy.

“I can't thank Tamara Cromwell enough for being onsite during the entirety of the event to help players stay healthy and hydrated, especially with the heat we experienced! Thank you!” Williams said.

USTA Missouri Valley would also like to thank all the coaches, staff and officials who made the week such a memorable and fun experience for all involved. And, of course, thank you to our generous hosts David and Lisa Minihan and the rest of the staff at Edmond Center Court.

And good luck to our teams at the National Championships!

Click here to view the photo gallery from the event.