For many, Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer, however for New England USTA League players, summer wraps up once the 65 & Overs get their shot at the New England Sectional Championship. Sixteen teams competed in the final Sectionals of the season from September 8-9 at Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly, MA for the chance to represent New England at the 65 & Over Invitational in this winter in Arizona.

The final three Adult 40 & Over teams have advanced to USTA League Nationals via a brand new Women’s 40 & Over Playoff put into place this summer. The volume of the continually growing 40 & Over division increased once again this year, forcing the Sectional Championships to be split into two weekends.

Nine more New England USTA League teams have advanced to Nationals thanks to championship performances at Adult 18 & Over Sectionals from August 17-19 at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. The 18 & Over Sectional event is the only one of the summer played outdoors, prepping men’s and women’s teams for an entirely outdoor National Championship.

Five New England Adult 40 & Over teams have advanced to USTA League Nationals in October thanks to Sectionals victories from August 10-12. Men’s 4.5+, 4.0, 3.5 and 3.0 and women’s 4.5+ teams advanced, while women’s 4.0, 3.5 and 3.0 competed in the District Championships for a shot at Nationals in a new “playoff” final to take place between August 25-26.

Six more USTA New England League teams punched their tickets to the National Championships, as Adult 55 & Overs competed at Sectionals from July 27-29 north of Boston.

Fifty-two Mixed 40 & Over USTA League teams competed at the second of two Mixed Sectionals events of the summer from July 20-22. Sectionals were played at Woburn Racquet Club, Winchester Indoor Lawn Tennis Center and Bass River Tennis Club, with the finals exclusively held in Woburn. The results nearly mirrored those of the Mixed 18 & Overs the week prior, as one repeat winner was crowned and one club added two more titles to its 2018 resume.

The first of the summer USTA League Sectionals got underway in Western Massachusetts from July 13-15 as 60 Mixed 18 & Over teams competed for their shot at the New England crown. Four teams (6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 NTRP Ratings) came away victorious at Ludlow Tennis Club and will advance to Nationals. Teams Mixed Troubles (6.0), BSC Lexington (7.0), Weymouth Stansbury (8.0) and Hebert/Pitrone (9.0) won their respective draws and will represent New England in November in Mobile, AL. Both 6.0 and 9.0 teams play out of Rally Point Racquet Club in Smithfield, RI.

The New England USTA League championship season is officially underway. The summer championships commenced with the Mixed 18 & Over Districts from June 22-24 at three sites in Eastern Massachusetts. Bass River Tennis Club, Woburn Racquet Club and Winchester Tennis Club hosted 80 teams contending for 32 coveted spots at Sectionals from July 13-15.