Rally in the Valley Championships showcase USTA Missouri Valley's top junior tennis talent
The USTA Missouri Valley’s elite junior tennis competitors converged in the heart of Oklahoma for the Rally in the Valley Championships on June 11-14. Edmond Center Court — a USTA Premier Facility — hosted the flagship Level 3 Closed tournament for the third straight year, welcoming 128 players for top-notch tennis.
“We are in a very strong era for juniors,” said Beth Azan, senior manager of junior tournaments for USTA Missouri Valley. “The level of play at Rally in the Valley was outstanding, with amazing points, strategic shot-making and impressive precision and skill on display. It was so much fun to watch these talented athletes compete at such a high level.”
Rally in the Valley — formerly called the Sweet 16 — has run since 2004 and features singles and doubles divisions for boys and girls. The compass-draw format for singles enabled participants to play four matches, regardless of result. Singles and doubles champions are listed at the end of this article.
“One of my favorite parts was observing the incredible friendships that have formed within our Missouri Valley junior tennis community,” Azan said. “Years of traveling together, competing with and against one another, and creating memories on and off the court have fostered lasting friendships rooted in a shared love of tennis and mutual respect.”
That respect was on display with standout sportsmanship, as eight individuals were chosen as overall divisional sportsmanship winners. Girls’ 12s player Penelope Peterson was one of those recipients.
“Tennis isn’t really that much about winning,” she said. “It’s about having fun, playing hard and also being nice to your opponent so they feel good. And maybe you can play with them some other time, and you can get to know each other. So, being nice is always really good.”
The player party, snack table and chaired championship matches were hits among participants, as was tournament mascot Gary the alligator. While Gary was a fan favorite off court, the on-court action proved to have just as much bite.
Anish Poojari survived a first-round scare to capture his third straight Rally in the Valley singles title, this one coming in Boys’ 18s for the second straight year. Poojari double dipped by teaming with TJ Shanahan for the doubles crown as well. Shanahan’s doubles title was his third straight with three different partners.
A total of 128 high-performance juniors competed at Rally in the Valley on June 11-14 at Edmond Center Court in Oklahoma.
Good sportsmanship was on display throughout Rally in the Valley, with eight players selected as overall sportsmanship winners.
Lisa and David Minihan prove they can handle any challenge at Rally in the Valley — even a close encounter with Gary the alligator.
- A total of 128 high-performance juniors competed at Rally in the Valley on June 11-14 at Edmond Center Court in Oklahoma.
- Good sportsmanship was on display throughout Rally in the Valley, with eight players selected as overall sportsmanship winners.
- Lisa and David Minihan prove they can handle any challenge at Rally in the Valley — even a close encounter with Gary the alligator.
AJ Williams won his second straight doubles championship — this one with Mack Fleming — and paired it with a singles title this year as well. Pranav Madamanchi claimed singles and won doubles alongside Samarth Gandhari.
On the girls’ ledger, Ava Beltran swept singles without dropping a set and doubles in partnership with Madeleine Bridges. The doubles championship was Bridges’ second in succession.
Penelope Smith won a tight three-setter in the finals over Addison Latta after teaming up with Latta to snag the doubles crown. Allison Brown repeated as a doubles titlist, this time in tandem with Lily Graves. Rally in the Valley victors again signed the champions’ plexiglass board after their titles.
Azan credited tournament directors David and Lisa Minihan for their work, as the award-winning husband-wife duo navigated morning rain to ensure the tournament ran smoothly.
“Edmond Center Court continues to be a fantastic host,” Azan said. “David and Lisa Minihan, along with their officiating crew, consistently deliver one of the best tournament experiences in junior tennis through their meticulous organization and dedication.”
Singles Champions
- AJ Williams, Boys’ 12s (USTA Iowa)
- Pranav Madamanchi, Boys’ 14s (USTA St. Louis)
- Wyatt Markham, Boys’ 16s (USTA Heart of America)
- Anish Poojari, Boys’ 18s (USTA Heart of America)
- Caroline Creevey, Girls’ 12s (USTA Oklahoma)
- Emma Graves, Girls’ 14s (USTA Heart of America)
- Penelope Smith, Girls’ 16s (USTA Oklahoma)
- Ava Beltran, Girls’ 18s (USTA Heart of America)
Doubles Champions
- Mack Fleming (USTA Iowa) & AJ Williams (USTA Iowa), Boys’ 12s
- Samarth Gandhari (USTA Heart of America) & Pranav Madamanchi (USTA St. Louis), Boys’ 14s
- Vincent Flynn (USTA Iowa) & Dylan Schulte (USTA Iowa), Boys’ 16s
- Anish Poojari (USTA Heart of America) & TJ Shanahan (USTA Oklahoma), Boys’ 18s
- Lillian Nyalala (USTA Oklahoma) & Payton Fleming (USTA Iowa), Girls’ 12s
- Lily Graves (USTA Heart of America) & Allison Brown (USTA St. Louis), Girls’ 14s
- Addison Latta (USTA Iowa) & Penelope Smith (USTA Oklahoma), Girls’ 16s
- Madeleine Bridges (USTA Heart of America) & Ava Beltran (USTA Heart of America), Girls’ 18s
Sportsmanship Winners
- Charlie Felker, Boys’ 12s (USTA St. Louis)
- Roman Taylor, Boys’ 14s (USTA Iowa)
- Owen Brown, Boys’ 16s (USTA Nebraska)
- Connor Feehan, Boys’ 18s (USTA Iowa)
- Penelope Peterson, Girls’ 12s (USTA Heart of America)
- Amira Elnimari, Girls’ 14s (USTA Iowa)
- Addison Latta, Girls’ 16s (USTA Iowa)
- Mireya David, Girls’ 18s (USTA St. Louis)
Have you noticed great sportsmanship? Nominate an individual for the USTA Missouri Valley SuperSport award by clicking here. Grand prize winners (one junior and one adult) will earn a trip for two to the 2027 US Open.
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