5 minute read
Tennis Highlight
For the Love
OF THE GAME
Athletics is the MAC’s middle name, so it’s no surprise that its tennis programs are second to none in the region. This year, the tennis pros have encountered plenty of challenges with the shutdown, but their resolve remains as strong as ever. Read below to see how each tennis pro has dealt with the current situation.
KIM STEINMETZ 2020 may be described in many ways, and, however surprising it may seem, I would describe it as revitalizing! The time I spent away from the Club ended up a positive experience for me. I spent more time with my kids, completed all kinds of projects, ate better, got the cobwebs off my bicycle and exercised! Plus, upon returning to work, I was rejuvenated! Once on the courts again, I analyzed my students’ tennis strokes as if I had not seen them before, which allowed me to notice things I had been overlooking due to familiarity. I not only came back with new energy, I also came back with new ideas and new teaching techniques to try. These things I had picked up due to watching online tennis videos. I hope MAC Members are enjoying or will enjoy being back at the Club and on the tennis courts as much as I am!
AMANDA PRATZEL Most of the kids I work with hoped to go back to school for in-person learning in the fall, but, unfortunately that didn’t happen for most. The freshmen were especially anxious to start school and have a “normal” first year of high school and the chance to play on the tennis team. Now that the schools are offering some form of tennis, the kids are really excited. I’m glad they get to be a part of a team. The kids that aren’t in high school are so happy that they can still play tennis because most of their other activities have been canceled this fall. As a coach, it’s great being able to help them through this time and try to give them some sort of normalcy and fun! I can’t help them with their chemistry homework, but I can at least help them with tennis. PATRICK MCNALLY I utilized a merry-go-round formation so the kids would move in a circle around me and would feed the tennis balls to them to minimalize them touching different equipment. I also created stations to keep the tots spaced apart. It was challenging because I had to do more demonstrations with the tots due to limited hand-on restrictions.
SCOTT STUTZ Having been on the tennis staff for 20+ years at the MAC, this year has proven to be a challenge in many ways from Club closure to having to wear masks to limited group size, etc. But as an employee of the MAC, if I’ve learned anything, we will persevere through this as a Club. There’s nothing we can’t overcome! MAC Strong.
MAX SHAPIRO I’ve worked at the MAC for more than 10 years now, and this has been the most challenging six months for both Members and staff at the Club. I think it has been amazing that we’ve been able to provide a safe environment for kids and adults to continue to play tennis through the pandemic. This hasn’t been the most traditional summer but the perseverance from both the Members and staff has brought out the Club spirit in the MAC.
MOMENTS THAT BUILD SUCCESS Success is built on unwavering principle and the support of a good team. We’re proud to be a long-standing supporter of the Missouri Athletic Club, where lifetime friendships are built and strengthened every day. As you forge your path, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
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PLAYER HIGHLIGHT Richard Elias
This month, the highlighted player is Richard Elias, who currently takes private instruction from tennis pro, Scott Stutz, and participates in the men’s league on Wednesday evenings. Elias credits his rise in the USTA rankings to the tennis staff at the MAC! As spotlight player, Elias wanted to improve his game and move up to a higher level, one thing that was missing was a strong backhand volley since he noticed he had many opportunities to finish the point at the net, but came up short. The backhand volley can be one of the weaker shots for many many players! Although it can be frustrating trying to apply technique and mechanics you have learned during practice, but he set out to improve this part of his game and along the way absorbed some bumps and bruises and in the end, it proved to be a good decision. Although started with a USTA 3.0 team and is now on the roster of a 4.0 USTA team. Way to go Rich! Elias joined the MAC in 2015 with his wife Martille, who also participates in tennis at the MAC, and children Annie, Richard, August and Evie. He is partner at Elias LLC.
PHOTOS L-R: RICH HOLDS THE HANDLE IN A “CONTINENTAL” OR “HAMMER GRIP” IN PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE BALL; HE TRANSFERS HIS WEIGHT FROM HIS BACK FOOT TO HIS RIGHT; HE BEGINS TO TAKE A SMALL, DOWNWARD SWING TOWARDS THE BALL; CONTACT IS MADE WELL IN FRONT OF HIS BODY. USING THE GROUND, HE THRUSTS HIS BODY FORWARD AND COLLIDES WITH THE BALL.
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