Washington High School girls’ tennis program awarded USTA St. Louis grant
With the start of the 2024-25 school year just around the corner USTA St. Louis is featuring the Washington High School girls’ tennis team, which is entering its third year of competition.
A community-wide collaboration propelled Washington High School to form a girls’ tennis program in 2022. After two strong inaugural seasons and with the assistance of a USTA St. Louis grant, the Blue Jays and Head Coach Bill Stahlhuth are primed for their third year of competition this fall.
“Our tennis program is a community effort,” Stahlhuth said. “We have Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members hitting and playing against the high school players in the offseason. The members come to watch the home matches.”
Assistant Coach Laurie Bryson, who was crucial in helping get the WHS girls’ tennis program off the ground, applied for a USTA St. Louis Community Development Grant. Individuals interested in learning more about USTA St. Louis grant opportunities can click here.
“It is my hope to use the USTA grant for equipment, tennis balls and a stipend,” Stahlhuth said. “Because of the number of girls playing, it is extremely helpful to have two of us working with all the players. The cost of tennis balls add up. It’s great to have the players using decent balls during clinics and practice so they are adjusted to new tennis balls at matches.”
Although the school does not have on-campus courts, the Blue Jays have made the Phoenix Center Park tennis courts their homebase. The surrounding community has come together to support the team and its members as well.
“It’s important to get kids exercising, interacting with others and just having fun,” Stahlhuth said. “Competitive tennis builds life skills.”
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Prior to Washington High School’s inaugural season in 2022, more than 20 girls attended WHS tennis camps. Most of them went on to represent the Blue Jays in their first season.
“We had 28 eager girls without tennis experience,” Stahlhuth said. “We taught, instructed and coached the girls. In Year 3 we now have 6 to 10 serious, competitive tennis players among our 25-plus players. We are excited to see how our returning players perform this season.”
A sport that grows with the player, tennis teaches more than simply physical skill. Along with that comes qualities that can be applied to every aspect of life.
“Tennis offers so much—exercise, competition, teaching, mentoring, and high school and community spirit,” Stahlhuth said. “Tennis has opened many doors for me, including clubs in college and admittance to Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.”
Stahlhuth has played tennis since he was 11 years old. He competed at Parkway West High School and then the University of Missouri.
“I loved the challenge and played local junior tournaments, clinics and took lessons from Craig Sandvig at Sunset Tennis Club,” Stahlhuth said. “I advanced to USTA Missouri Valley and a few USTA National junior tournaments. I played high school tennis at Parkway West with Craig, finishing second in state my senior year.”
“Coaching is a challenge,” Stahlhuth said. “I want all players to have fun and opportunities for some to advance as far as possible in competitive tennis.”
To read a previously published USTA St. Louis story on the formation of the Washington High School girls’ tennis program, click here. Individuals interested in adding tennis to their school’s curriculum or seeking school-specific resources from the USTA can click here for more information.
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