League Captains of the Month

The 2022 USTA League season has gotten off to a good start with 40 & over teams in full steam. Each month USTA Nebraska will name Captains of the Month. The winners will receive gift cards for their outstanding service as USTA captains! Please follow along below for each month's winners.

 

Jump To: January | February | March | July

 

January

 

Kym Sorensen of Omaha is the first to receive this award. She has been involved in the USTA for 11 years. Originally from Illinois, the mother of four is an interior designer and loves playing tennis. She also enjoys golf and last year got a hole-in-one! 

 

Where you were born?
Buffalo Grove, IL. 

 

Current profession?
interior designer 

 

Info about your family? 
4 amazing kids 25, 23, 21 and 18 

 

What is a fun fact that not many know about you? (tennis related or not) 
I got a hole in 1 in 2021

 

How many years have you been involved in USTA leagues?
I think I’ve been a USTA member for 11 years 

 

Brett Joseph of Lincoln is the second to receive the award, as he captains a number of teams throughout the year. He has been involved with USTA Nebraska for more than 13 years. He owns Husker Fleet Services and has twin girls and a son.

 

Where you were born? Where did you attend high school or college? What is your current profession? Tell us about your family.
I was born in Lincoln, and have lived here ever since. I am an East High grad and have a degree from Doane. I am a business owner - Husker Fleet Services. I have twin girls, and one son, and am married.

 

 

What is a fun fact that not many know about you? (tennis related or not) 
I've had more jobs than most people have had birthdays; some of which, a mail carrier, worked in a factory, restaurant manager, controller, Real estate Agent, accountant, and a home builder.

 

How many years have you been involved in USTA leagues?
I have been playing USTA leagues for 13+ years

 

Congratulations to both Sorensen and Joseph!

 

February

Paul Ronhovde of Omana. Paul is a 4.0 player. “The USTA has provided a lifetime of enjoyment and long-standing and new friendships,” Ronhovde said.

 

Where you were born? Where did you attend high school or college? What is your current profession? Tell us about your family.

Born in Fremont, attended Fremont High School and Midland University.

 

Current profession?

I am the Director of Business Development for the WealthPlan Group in Omaha.

 

What is a fun fact that not many know about you? (tennis related or not)

All six of us siblings went to the same elementary, high school and college.

 

How many years have you been involved in USTA leagues?

I started playing singles almost 30 years ago on a 3.5 team and after going undefeated I got bumped to 4.0.

 

Karen Reiners of Lincoln. Karen is also a 4.0 player.

 

Where you were born? Where did you attend high school or college? What is your current profession? Tell us about your family.

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I graduated from the Ohio State University in Engineering.

 

Current profession?

Engineering Manager at General Dynamics.

 

What is a fun fact that not many know about you? (tennis related or not)

I despise peanut butter.

 

How many years have you been involved in USTA leagues?

20 years.

 

March

 

Kreg Green of Lincoln

 

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I grew up in Lincoln and was a Northeast Rocket and a Husker. 

 

What is your current job?

I am closing in on a quarter century at Gallup as a Developer.

 

What is a fun fact not many people know? 

I once threw my racquet bag across the East Campus parking lot, with a world record distance, and said I'd never play the game again. I returned later and picked up my bag; there was one witness.

 

How many years have you been involved with USTA? 

I started USTA in 2013 playing for Mark Jeter (best captain ever!), before starting my own teams in 2018 with Jason Dean.

 

Susan Ernst of Omaha

 

How long have you been playing tennis? 

I started playing tennis about three years ago and have enjoyed learning a new sport.  I have met so many great people along the way.

 

Tell us about yourself? 

I live in Elmwood with my husband and three kids. I recently got my 21-year old son to start playing tennis. 

 

What is a fun fact about you?

I am working on getting the rest of my family to play tennis. 

 

July

 

Roger Penland of Omaha, 3.5 Player

Background: I grew up in Kansas City, moved to Omaha to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, retired from First Data Corporation. Married to my wife Linda with two sons and three grandchildren.

 

Fun Fact: I attended a tennis class at UNO with Bill Roach as the instructor.

 

How long have you been active in the USTA: I started playing tennis leagues in 2008 and have had the opportunity to play in four national tournaments so far.

 

Sarah Dirksen of Lincoln, 4.0 Player

Background: I was born in Montana, grew up in Lincoln. I work at Eye Cloud Pro and have been married for 24 years with two adult children, Tyler and Emma. My son Tyler plays mixed doubles with me.

 

Fun Fact: I love to give gifts, but I am not a good gift receiver.

 

How long have you been involved in the USTA: I have been active in the USTA for 16 years and have captained for 14 years.