Junior Tennis Numbers Up

Since tennis is a non-contact sport, it’s considered to be one of the safer, more socially-distant activities to take part in during a pandemic, along with golf and cycling. This is one of the reasons tournament enrollment numbers are up at local junior events in Nebraska. At Woods Tennis Center in LIncoln, numbers are up 20-45 percent.

Kari and Rick Stempson have three daughters ranging in ages from six to 12, and they all play tennis. Which is no surprise since Rick is a local pro who played at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Kari played at Nebraska Wesleyan University. This summer for the first time, all three girls have played in local tournaments.

“Tennis has been a huge outlet, and truly the only outlet some days,” Kari explained. “We are very lucky that all three of them want to go to practice and enjoy the kids they practice with. Tennis for them is hard work, exercise, and also social time with friends.”

12-year old Stella competes in tournaments most weekends since she plays yellow ball, so there are more options for her to play than her sisters. Her favorite part? Picking out her outfit.

“As the saying goes, ‘you look good, you play good!’” Kari joked. “I feel like playing in tournaments, win or lose, has been a huge confidence booster for them.”

Pearl, the nine-year old, plays in orange ball tournaments and hopes to earn enough stars to move up to green ball competition. Shiloh is the youngest, at six years old, and played her first tournament recently and was able to join her sisters at the USTA NE BG 8-18 Red/Orange/Green/Yellow Woods Non-Elimination Tournament at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln. That tournament had twice as many players as last year.