Net Generation Ace Represents at US Open

Plachy, pictured just to the left of Billie Jean King.

Local high school student Clare Plachy represented USTA Missouri Valley as one of seventeen Net Generation Aces this year at the US Open.

Her role as a Net Generation Ace started with being on a council for USTA Missouri Valley, where she would take surveys after USTA tournaments with the goal of continuing to improve the sport, and carries on as she seeks to spread positivity in tennis and hopes to influence others toward the impactful tennis experience Plachy herself has had.

"Tennis has made me the person I am today! It has taught me to keep my composure and always remembering that it is a game," reflected Plachy. Kindness is the characteristic that I most strive to have in my day-to-day life. I want to always be humble on the court and in my own life as well as showing kindness to every person that comes into my life. Tennis has helped me through all of this by making me more proactive and confident in myself and in my abilities."

According to Plachy, who first picked up a racquet at the age of seven, community service is a big part of why she was chosen to represent USTA Missouri Valley in New York at the US Open.

"In my community I am in the process of getting more juniors involved in USTA," added Plachy. "I have been talking to the director of tennis at Woods Tennis Center and trying to brainstorm ideas and we are in the process of getting some initiative started."

The person who nominated her remains unknown to her, but she is very grateful for the nomination.

The trip began with traveling to New York on the Friday before the start of the US Open. Over the course of the following three days, she was a part of many festive activities such as when Plachy and 16 others had the opportunity to inspire local youth through helping with the Arthur Ashe Kids Day.

Highlights of Plachy’s trip include seeing the players’ locker room lounge, stepping into the broadcast booth, meeting Venus Williams, watching Serena Williams warm up, being interviewed by ESPN, as well as learning tennis strategies from the legendary Byran Brothers doubles team and Marty Fish.

“My favorite part of the experience was getting to meet Billie Jean King, who led many women to start playing the sport,” said Plachy.

As Plachy recalled her positive experiences at the US Open, she further spoke about the other 16 Net Generation Aces she met over the course of the weekend.

“I learned how humbling it was to meet these amazing people that are doing inspiring things in their communities and they motivate me to be more outgoing back in Nebraska,” said Plachy.

Plachy's goals for the future include playing collegiate tennis, continuing to excel in school, always having fun playing the sport she loves, and making a further impact as a Net Generation Ace.

"As an Ace, I hope to promote kindness everywhere I go. I want to accomplish this by spreading more awareness about USTA and organizing tournaments though USTA that are more of a fun, less competitive environment and getting more high school tennis players involved," shared Plachy. "I want to do something in my community that I can be proud of and through this Aces program, it will be possible. I am so honored and proud to be part of this incredible program."

Learn more about Net Generation Aces here.