Year in Review: The Top USTA Missouri Stories from 2021

With 2022 underway, look back at some of the highlights from an action-packed 2021 calendar year in USTA Missouri. Relive (and re-read!) the top news articles and human-interest features from the past 12 months. Thanks to everyone who contributed to a successful 2021 for USTA Missouri!

 

January

 

While 2020 ended on a strong note for USTA Missouri with the first and only Springfield-based junior tournament of the year in the Level 5 Open — which drew 88 participants to Cooper Tennis Complex, several of whom traveled in from beyond Missouri — 2021 began with the hiring of digital assistant Josh Sellmeyer to cover district news.

Read more about the L5 Open.

Read more about Josh.

 

February

 

After a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Junior Team Tennis was back in the fold for USTA Missouri youngsters. Also returning was high school boys’ tennis. With a majority of the 2020 campaign stripped away because of the pandemic, MSHSAA Assistant Executive Director Kenny Seifert was optimistic student-athletes would savor the opportunity to compete again. Read more.

 

“When players step onto the court for their first match this spring, there is just going to be a general appreciation of how much they missed it and how lucky they are,” Seifert said. “Maybe they just play with a little less stress because they’re enjoying the moment. That’s what we want kids to do — enjoy the experience.” Read more.

 

March

 

Women’s History Month takes place annually in March, so USTA Missouri highlighted two of the most instrumental female figures in the district in USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Famers (and close friends) Jodie Adams and Kim Reser. Read more.

 

On two occasions Jim Klousia — longtime Missouri State University men’s tennis head coach — left the game of tennis to pursue blue- and white-collar jobs. But both times the game called him back, and he’s been enshrined in five different athletic halls of fame in his illustrious career. Read more.

 

April

 

Dave Steinmeyer — better known by the nickname “Mr. Tennis” in mid-Missouri — earned induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in April. The long-tenured Jefferson City High School coach amassed a 447-107-2 record at the school and led two girls’ teams to state championships. Read more.

 

USTA Missouri Junior Competition Coordinator Courtney Nesbitt helped jumpstart Junior Team Tennis programming in the area again, with teams from Camdenton and Springfield getting in on the action during the summer stretch. Read more.

 

May

 

Camdenton played host to the Level 5 Junior Open tournament in May, which marked the first time the city hosted an L5 event. Tournament options for USTA Missouri junior players abounded throughout the summer, with Camdenton, Springfield and Columbia offering opportunities.

Read more about the Camdenton L5 tournament.

Read more about all local tournaments.

 

Leslie Echols — who had already built a strong contingency of players via the Southwest Missouri Tennis Network — was named USTA Missouri adult league coordinator. With the help of captains and volunteers, Echols formed multiple leagues and tourneys for players throughout the remainder of 2021.

 

“It seemed right up my alley,” Echols said of her new post. “I love providing opportunities for people to get out and play tennis. Especially people looking for opportunities to compete. It’s just a different level of play, and it helps improve your game when you’re under pressure. I know a lot of people are looking for that opportunity.” Read more.

 

June

 

An estimated 6,000 people attended the annual Jefferson City KidsFest event early in the month. USTA Missouri and St. Louis Tennis Service Representative Michael Marotta set up three miniature tennis courts to teach some lessons and promote the sport at the popular summer staple. Read more.

 

A life-changing phone call in 2008 for Marianella Padron catapulted her into the role of co-director of tennis at Millennium Family Fitness in Joplin. Padron has also accumulated a staggering collection of 4,000 wood and metal tennis racquets, with one dating back to 1890. Read more.

 

July

 

Hee-Sun Kim shared a hilarious story that convinced her to compete in tennis. She captained four teams in the District this year, with one with one earning a World TeamTennis National Qualifier spot. Read more.

 

Tricia Vogt guided the Father Tolton High School boys’ tennis team to a massive improvement in her first year as head coach. After her program received 35 tennis racquets courtesy of USTA, which Vogt called a “godsend,” she looked forward to a promising second season at the helm of the Trailblazers. Read more.

 

August

 

Jaime Vargas — who has worked at the Jefferson City Country Club since 1995 — decided to attempt a kidney transplant after learning he had Stage 5 kidney disease. His sister was a match, the transplant went smoothly and Vargas said: “It’s been a completely new life since. It’s amazing.” Read more.

 

Caleb Kim and Kate Kimes competed at the 12 & Under level in the prestigious USTA Level 1 National Championships, widely considered one of the top junior tournaments of the year. Multiple USTA Missouri adult teams produced strong showings at the USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championships.

Read more about Caleb and Kate.

Read more about the League Section Championships.

 

September

 

With her 80th birthday on the horizon and in the midst of her 41st year as a tennis teaching professional for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Jean Larrick added “Hall of Famer” to her resume by earning induction into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame. 

 

“I always was drawn to somebody who couldn’t do anything,” Larrick said of her coaching career. “I knew they could. Because the kids I worked with, I knew they could. Teaching somebody who never played before is tough. I worked with red ball, green ball, orange ball, purple ball. Any ball you want to throw at me. I’ve done it a long time.” Read more.

 

October

 

Team captain Lori Hunt recapped her team’s dream run to the USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championships. Her squad was the first-ever 3.0 women’s team from Springfield to earn a spot at Sectionals. 

 

“It was just a neat experience,” Hunt said. “For us to say we were from Springfield — when usually there’s no one represented from Springfield — made us feel very proud. It was a good learning experience.” Read more.

 

The Missouri high school girls’ tennis season came to a close in late October at the Cooper Tennis Complex. St. Joseph’s, Ladue and Westminster were among the standout teams, while Rock Bridge and Kickapoo had some strong individual performances. Read more.

 

November

 

USTA Missouri held its Annual Awards Meeting and Ceremony early in the month, with these individuals and organizations claiming accolades. Read more.

 

Michael Marotta presented and had a vendor booth set up at the 2021 MOSHAPE Convention at the Lake of the Ozarks. The event was targeted toward the educational development of PE teachers working in Missouri schools. Read more.

 

December

 

Joseph Coder received a USTA Missouri Valley Junior Sportsmanship Award on December 4. One of Coder’s coaches, Kyle Wartick, said: “Joseph is an excellent role model for the young guys and has just outstanding character. We’re really proud of him.” Read more.

 

Mallory Weber directed an indoor Level 6 singles tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex to close out a string of successful junior tourneys for the USTA Missouri District in 2021. Read more.