USTA Missouri Valley Faces at the US Open

Officials at the US Open

We also had five officials selected to work at the US Open. It should go without saying that this is one of the highest honor for any tennis official. Our officiating chair, Verne Weber, does a great job training and supporting his officials to put them in a position to succeed. We know our five officials will represent USTA Missouri Valley well. Congratulations to the five officials below for their contributions and this high honor.

Sheila Conway - USTA Oklahoma

Kim Kilgore - USTA Missouri 

Diane Lawrence - USTA Kansas 

Cindy Ritchie - USTA Oklahoma

Cheryl Lady - USTA Heart of America

Get to know each of them a little better here.

Samantha Mannix

As one of the top high school tennis players in Nebraska, Samantha Mannix never dropped a match during her four years at Elkhorn South High School. She then accepted a full ride to the University of Iowa, where she just wrapped up her collegiate career after playing five years for the Hawkeyes. 

After interning at the Western & Southern Open last year in Cincinnati, Samantha is now spending the US Open as a Player Services Seasonal Coordinator. This opportunity is allowing her to assist players in any manner possible, from booking practice courts and transportation and so much more.

Learn more about Samantha and her future plans after the US Open.

Outstanding Facility Award

Life Time Des Moines was announced on August 28, 2023 as one of the winners of the 2023 USTA Outstanding Facility Awards. They were one of 29 facilities around to country to be recognized for this award. 

Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in grassroots tennis programs.

Congratulations to Life Time and its staff on this award! 

Local Players Making Waves

A handful of local players have appeared in various draws throughout the open, from standout juniors to established pros. Juniors Cooper Woestendick and Nicholas Patrick both made the Junior draws. Patrick played in the Junior Boys' Doulbes draw, while Woestendick played in both singles and doubles. Omaha's Jackson Withrow, a mainstay in Men's Doubles, advanced to the quarterfinals before ultimately bowing out. 

In the wheelchair division, Wichita's Casey Ratzlaff got off to a great start, winning his first round matches in both doubles and singles. And, of course, Madison Keys is making waves in the women's main draw. Keys knocked off reigning Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals to set up a date in the semifinals with Aryna Sabalenka.

Hughes Gill Earns USTA Recognition

Kimberly Y. Hughes Gill was honored on Thursday night as one of 16 recipients of the USTA's new Champions of Equality Award. As part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Equal Prize Money at the US Open and the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match, the USTA held a Champions of Equality event with Billie Jean King and Venus Williams as the headliners. The event honored women from the USTA sections for their contributions at the grassroots level put toward the ongoing effort of leveling the playing field for all. We can't think of too many people more deserving than Kim of this recognition!