Topeka’s own Top City Tennis landed second place at the National League Championships on October 6 in Surprise, Arizona. The team competed against the top 18+ 3.5 men’s teams from all 17 sections before falling to Jason Freeman’s Texas team during a tight finals match.

 

“It was an awesome experience,” said Ronan Boyle, a member of the team. “It was a lot of fun having a team effort towards trying to win.” 

 

At 17, Boyle is the youngest member of the league team. He began playing tennis in middle school and has already excelled in his tennis career. During his finals match against Freeman’s Texas team, Boyle took down previously undefeated Hugo Palencia in a 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 match.

 

For captain Ben Seitz, Banks Whitney’s performance during the championship also stands out.

 

“The most memorable match to me was in the semifinals. ADVERTISEMENT Everybody got done and we split courts, meaning we won two [matches] and they won two,” Seitz said. “We were playing Southern, who looked a lot better than us on paper, and Banks had already lost his first set.”

 

Despite the setback, Whitney came back to pull off a win 6-7, 7-5, 1-0. 

 

“Digging out of a hole like that when your whole season is on the line, I mean it was incredible,” Seitz said.

 

Top City Tennis prepared for nationals in the seven weeks prior to competition. Seitz set up a training regimen with Danny Williams, head tennis professional at Genesis Health Clubs in Topeka.

 

“We pretty much had the opportunity to play in organized practice five days a week,” Seitz said. “The guys that took advantage of it, you could definitely see the improvement, and we won matches against top teams that we didn’t think we’d be able to win.”

 

The players of Top City Tennis have plans to continue their league play next year.

 

“Going out there and playing for a team, not just for yourself, is a great feeling,” Boyle said.

League tennis provides an opportunity for players of all abilities to play on competitive teams that build skills and relationships. Find out more about being involved in adult leagues to find yourself in the game.