In Retrospect: The Top Stories of 2023

“USTA Kansas Board Members Gabriel Yankey and Terry Neal on Tennis and Their Goals for 2023”

In honor of Black History Month, we spoke with two of our newest Board members, Gabriel Yankey and Terry Neal, on their roads to falling in “love” with tennis and their goals for 2023 as members of the Board. 

March

“Liz Bothwell to Open New Tennis Center in Salina”

Then, in honor of Women’s History Month, we interviewed Liz Bothwell, who brought her experience to Salina to help build–and run–a brand-new tennis complex while also running the nonprofit side of the Salina Tennis Alliance. 

April

“National Tennis Month Events in Kansas”

With May being National Tennis Month, we wanted to share some events taking place in our district early to allow players and fans the chance to plan their play for the next month.

May

“Lesli Toubassi on Working with the Maureen Connelly Brinker Foundation and Wichita Tennis Open”

May is National Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, during which we interviewed a member of this vibrant community, former president and now emeritus of the Maureen Connelly Brinker Foundation, Lesli Toubassi, to discuss her significant support of the Wichita Tennis Open and its players.

June

“Juneteenth Tennis Celebration to Take Place at McAdams Park June 20”

The JuneteenthICT celebration returned to McAdams Park in Wichita with live music, the 3rd Annual Carl Brewer Cookoff, the 4th Annual Wichita Athletics Track Club Jubilee two-mile walk/run, a parade, a Kids’ Corner, public speakers, theatre productions, and a special tennis event.

July

“Let Your Game Take Flight at the 2023 Wichita AirCapital Open”

The final tournament in the MoKanNeb Adult Tournament Series, the Wichita AirCapital Open (formerly the Wichita MTC Open), landed at Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center in July. 

August

“USTA Kansas Team Places Third at 2023 JTT Section Championships”

The Genesis Greys, made up of players from Genesis Rock Road in Wichita and Genesis Salina, made our district proud with their third-place showing at this year’s JTT Section Championships. Hear what coach Eva Castiglioni had to say about the team’s experience at Sectionals in this article.

September

“Hispanic Heritage Month: Inspiring Local Youth Through Tennis”

There’s a lot of good work being done for the residents of Wichita through partnerships between the USTA Foundation, the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis, and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation of Kansas, including the recent National Junior Tennis League program. With help in part from USTA Foundation grants, the program brought tennis programming and education to 34 Wichita-area schools and over 1,630 students.

October

“Tennis Under the Stars: A Perfect Summer Sendoff”

Each year, the outdoor courts at MacAdvantage Tennis Club in McPherson light up with blacklights for family-friendly night-time tennis. Attendees were encouraged to wear neon-colored clothing to glow under the blacklights as they participated in games and drills with special tennis balls that glow in the dark.

November

“Play with the Players” at Emporia State University”

On October 29, Emporia State University hosted its “Play with the Players” event at the Kossover Family Tennis Complex on campus. This free, family-friendly event allowed attendees to receive instruction from current Emporia State men’s and women’s tennis players and participate in tennis drills before pairing up with these great players for competitive doubles match play.

December

“Happy Holidays USTA Kansas!”

USTA Kansas President Cary Morris shared a heartfelt holiday message with our members, thanking them, as well as our amazing officials, volunteers, and coaches, for their work and support over the past year.