Team Tourney in Kearney proves to be successful

The Mid-America Winter Team Tennis Tournament was held last month at the Ernest Grundy Tennis Center in Kearney. Close to 40 junior players came out for the event, which included a mixer Friday night and three rounds of play on Saturday. 

“The WTT (World Team Tennis)  format is great for player interactivity, fan viewing, and keeping everyone involved all day in general,” said Darren Emerick, one of the organizers. “The mixer (Friday night) was a big success. The guest coaches were fun and gave the players a chance to learn from someone new.”

The new tournament puts more focus on the team aspect, rather than the individual players. Emerick said many things went well including how the Grundy Tennis Center used video recordings so families and friends were able to watch. As far as things they could do differently, not playing three rounds of tennis in one day.

“Three rounds is too much,” he said. “We originally planned at least one round on Friday night but ran into scheduling and travel issues so played the whole thing on Saturday. Two rounds are plenty even if three are possible.”

For half the players, this was the first USTA event they had ever attended, and they expressed interest in competing in future events, Emerick said. 

“I have a passion for team tennis at the school, club, and USTA level and believe that there is so much opportunity to synthesize those three venues to grow junior tennis in general!”

Emerick lives in Bridgeport, Nebraska, and coaches tennis for the Scottsbluff School District.