The top USTA Missouri stories from 2024

With 2025 underway, let’s look back at some of the highlights from 2024 in USTA Missouri. Relive—and re-read!—the top stories from the past 12 months. Thanks to everyone who contributed to an exciting and successful year of growth for USTA Missouri!

 

January

 

USTA Missouri Executive Director Leslie Echols detailed her “whirlwind” 2023 tennis journey in this feature article. Echols concluded the year ranked as the No. 1 singles player in the country at the NTRP 18 & Over women’s 3.5 level.

 

The Cape Girardeau area hosted an all-new Junior Team Tennis girls’ winter league. Four teams with about six to seven players per squad participated in the five-week indoor season.

February

 

USTA Missouri and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board teamed up to provide a seven-part Heritage Month Tennis Series throughout 2024 at Cooper Tennis Complex. Each diversity event—starting with Black History Month in February—included an educational component and a tennis clinic.

 

A 65 & Over 7.0 women’s team captained by Ann Vogel capped a remarkable season with a fifth-place finish at USTA League Nationals in Surprise, Ariz., and team members shared their insights on the experience in this story.

 

March

 

With Women’s History Month taking place in March USTA Missouri highlighted Judy Hollingsworth, a league competitor who won the deciding doubles match with her partner to propel Vogel’s 65+ women’s team to nationals.

 

“We were just so excited. Oh, my gosh. We were in disbelief,” Hollingsworth said. “For days after that I would just burst into laughter thinking about the fact we had won. It seemed so impossible that had happened.”

 

A pair of offerings—the Southwest Missouri Senior Games and the Missouri State Senior Games—provided seniors an opportunity to compete against their peers in a variety of sports, including tennis.

 

April

 

Several USTA Missouri players represented the district at the 2024 NTRP National Championships, which took place throughout the U.S. in April. The strong representation underscored the district’s continued growth and desire to compete on a national scale.

 

An all-new Family Night series was hosted at Cooper Tennis Complex as part of an effort to offer fun and creatively themed tennis opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.

 

May

 

National Tennis Month takes place annually in May, and USTA Missouri joined in on the fun with events such as a Red Ball Tennis tournament in Rolla.

 

May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. USTA Missouri featured Steve Seo and his tennis-playing family, who have fun playing the sport together nearly every Tuesday evening.

 

“As I play tennis, I feel like I have become a better person,” Seo said. “Sometimes you have some anger issues. Overall, you become a better person in terms of mentality. And it’s a lifetime sport.”

 

June

 

Majorie Muller learned to play tennis barefoot on her family’s gravel court while growing up on a farm in South Africa. Recently hired as the director of racquet sports at Country Club of Missouri, Muller now shares her love of the sport with the Columbia community.

 

A 40 & Over 3.5 women’s team captained by Donna Hoffmann included players from Columbia, Fulton, Jefferson City, Osage Beach and Versailles. The unique mix of competitors won districts to progress to the Section Championships in Oklahoma.

 

July

 

Park & Recreation Month takes place in July, and USTA Missouri featured the tennis happenings within the City of Marshall. The Marshall Junior Tennis CTA, an active USTA Member for 30-plus years, uses parks for some of their popular tennis programming efforts.

 

Kickapoo High School tennis coach Maddy Platko—a USTA Missouri league captain and event organizer—discussed her multisport history and the impact coaches can have on their athletes in this article.

 

August

 

After a standout playing career and strong stint as assistant coach at William Woods University, Abigail Lemberger Hughes was announced as WWU’s men’s and women’s tennis head coach.

 

Caroline Matz teamed with her older sister, Elizabeth, to teach tennis in Sedalia and coach the Smith-Cotton High School boys’ tennis team.

 

“It’s essential to remember the core reason for coaching: the players,” Caroline Matz said. “The opportunity to positively impact their development and share in their excitement throughout the season is incredibly motivating.”

 

September

 

Mason Carlson and his 18 & Over 7.0 mixed team had a strong performance at their Section Championships this month to punch a ticket to nationals. It was especially rewarding for Carlson, who is set to join the United States Navy in February and likely won’t be able to play on a USTA team for the next four years.

 

Special Olympics Missouri debuted its first-ever tennis clinic on Sept. 14 at Cooper Tennis Complex. About 17 athletes participated, with some advancing to compete in the State Outdoor Games in Jefferson City in October.

 

October

 

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the U.S., and USTA Missouri featured tennis player and coach Anelisse Garner. Garner, who grew up in Bolivia as a triplet, played at Missouri State University and works alongside her husband coaching at Drury University.

 

Captain R.B. Jones and his “underdog” 18 & Over 3.5 men’s crew earned a sixth-place finish at USTA League Nationals in San Diego this month, which included a 3-2 win over eventual national champion USTA Intermountain.

 

November

 

USTA Missouri Official Kim Kilgore, who has worked at the US Open since 2009, discussed her passion for tennis and officiating as part of this Q&A article.

 

Peg Schlacks, 73, spreads her love for tennis to her many family members and friends by hosting Family Tennis nights. Schlacks was selected for both the USTA Missouri Adult Player of the Year (Female) Award and the USTA Missouri Valley Adult Player of the Year (3.5 & Below) Award.

 

“Whether it’s family or friends, she is always trying to find ways to get everyone together,” said her grandson, Will. “She is in her 70s, and it is incredible how much she loves tennis. Thanks to her, she helps keep a family bond very strong.”

 

December

 

USTA Missouri President Mallory Weber put a bow on a terrific year in the district in this happy holidays letter. Weber noted three USTA Missouri league teams advanced to nationals in 2024, junior tennis continued its ascent and community tennis excelled in the district.

 

To view all USTA Missouri stories published in 2024, check out this link.