USTA Kansas League Teams Heading to Nationals
Over the past three months, USTA League teams from across our district have been bringing their A-game as they compete in their respective divisions during the USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championships. This is a big deal, as teams that win advance to the USTA National Championships, taking place all over the country.
We’re thrilled to share with you that two teams from USTA Kansas took top honors at their Sectional tournaments and have punched their tickets to Nationals! Keep reading to learn more about which teams will be representing our district.
Team Wanless, a 55 & Over 7.0 Men’s team captained by Barry Wanless, won out during the USTA Missouri Valley 55 & Over Section Championships in July. They will head to the USTA National Tennis Complex in Orlando to compete at Nationals later this month.
“Two of our players are new to playing USTA matches and are very excited, along with the rest of our players, about winning USTA Missouri Valley Sectionals and are on our way to Nationals at the USTA National Campus in Orlando,” said Wanless. “Our Kansas team consists of players from Wichita, Assaria, Topeka and Johnson County.”
The other team headed to Nationals is Team Jones, an 8.0 Mixed team competing in the 18 & Over division. The team will be playing for the National title October 28-30 in Surprise, AZ.
I caught up with Team Jones captain Dylan Jones, who has played alongside Julia Sherman and Snow Solovey this season, to find out how he feels about his team and about heading into Nationals, and it’s safe to say he feels wonderful.
Team Wanless
Team Jones
- Team Wanless
- Team Jones
“[The team’s] a great group; we go over to each other's houses and barbecue and we’re all really close. Just being able to share the experience with these people... it’s fun to just go with a group of friends,” said Jones. “We also have a really good team and we have a really good shot at winning this thing, so we’re really excited.”
This close-knit team has been indomitable, and they’re making sure they’re all in it together by the time Nationals rolls around. “The whole team is staying in a 12-room Airbnb, so if their spouses want to come [cheer us on] they can, which is really cool.”
When asked about his final thoughts before the team hits the road for Nationals, Jones has nothing but great things to say about his teammates.
“Captaining can be stressful, but this group has made it super easy,” Jones said. “It’s been a really fun experience with this group and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do at Nationals.”
Good luck to both teams and their players! We’re rooting for you, and we know you’ll do great.
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