The Top USTA Missouri Stories from 2022

May

In conjunction with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, USTA Missouri highlighted brothers Joshua and Caleb Kim. The two are standout performers on the tennis court and in the classroom.

Cooper Complex hosted an all-new Junior Team Tennis summer league for four weeks in July. The offering was part of the resurgence of JTT options within the district, as opportunities under the Junior Team Tennis umbrella emerged throughout 2022.

June

Alywn Mushonga — who got his first taste of tennis as a 4-year-old in his home country of Zimbabwe — became the tennis service representative for USTA Missouri and USTA St. Louis. Check out his fascinating journey by clicking here.

Just six days after getting married, Anelisse Garner officially started a full-time job as community sports coordinator for the City of Springfield. She took the major life changes in stride and was later chosen for the 2022 USTA Missouri Valley Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award.

July

Though the Springfield Lasers didn’t compete in any matches at the franchise’s home facility of Cooper Tennis Complex this year, the World TeamTennis squad is hopeful for a return to Springfield-based competition in 2023.

Leslie Echols — who served as USTA Missouri adult league coordinator the year prior — was named the district’s executive director. Echols stepped into the role previously held by Heidi Smith, who passed away in late January 2022.

August

After crossing paths with Leslie Echols in early August and learning about their mutual interest of growing tennis, Stephanie Farid became the local league coordinator for Columbia. Her hiring came soon after Amy Mathew was named interim adult league coordinator.

Lucy Stein’s 18 & Over women’s team made a surprise run to progress to the USTA Section Championships. The crew followed up that effort with a solid showing at the section championship, as the team advanced to the semifinals in St. Louis.

September

A remarkable 50-plus students attended the Missouri State University Tennis Club’s first practice. That doubled the average number of attendees from the year prior. Interest in the competitive side of USTA’s Tennis On Campus also reached a high-water mark for the MSU program.

A 40+ 7.0 mixed team captained by Hee-Sun Kim made a stunning run at section championships to qualify for USTA Nationals. The squad ripped off three straight upset victories — including two against teams the group had previously faltered against — to become the lone team from USTA Missouri to reach Nationals in 2022.

October

Anelisse Garner wanted to better engage Springfield’s Hispanic community in tennis. She made good on that by coordinating a Fiesta Latina de Tenis event. The fun-filled October 1 night included scholarship opportunities for children.

Debbie Pell played on an incredible 14 USTA teams dating back to last autumn. Seven of the nine squads she played for in the spring season advanced to the Section Championships, which was music to Pell’s ears. For her efforts, Pell was selected as USTA Missouri Player of the Year.

November

After a successful inaugural season in 2021, USTA Missouri again brought back its winter mixed tri-level league to Springfield. Mixed leagues continued to be a hit with the district’s competitors throughout 2022.

USTA Missouri elected a new board of directors with several familiar faces again serving this term. Learn about the new board and hear from President Mallory Weber by clicking here.

December

USTA Missouri President Mallory Weber wished everyone involved with the district a happy holiday season and reflected upon 2022 in this letter.

The 2022 calendar year featured many standout performances and quality sportsmanship from individuals. The district honored several of its top competitors with USTA Missouri awards recognition, and you can see that list of winners here.