2016 Summer Serve

CrossCourt Summer 2016

CrossCourt The USTA Missouri Valley publishes CrossCourt three times per year, focusing specifically on the members and events in the section. All material copyright USTA Missouri Valley, unless otherwise noted.

Your feedback is welcomed.

USTA Missouri Valley 6400 West 95th Street, Suite 102 Overland Park, Kansas 66212

Summer 2016 Table of Contents missourivalley.usta.com crosscourt@movalley.usta.com

(913) 322-4800 (888)368-8612 Toll Free

3

4

6

(913) 322-4801 Fax facebook.com/USTAMissouriValley twitter.com/USTAMoValley instagram.com/USTAMoValley pinterest.com/USTAMoValley Mary Buschmann Executive Director Manon Eilts Marketing Communications Director Emily Steinwart Communications Coordinator Graphic Design and Digital Media Andrew Robinson Communications Coordinator Public Relations

For questions about your USTA membership, please contact USTA Member Services at 1-800-990-USTA, or visit www.membership.usta.com.

3

What’s Your Number?

4-5

Best Summer Ever!

6-7

Summer Calendar

8-9

Spotlight on: Junior Leadership

Ratings and rankings for adult tennis players - we’ve created a simple graphic to help you understand the difference.

There are lots of ways to get involved in the game this summer - find yours!

Use this handy two-page calendar to keep up with all the events in the USTA Missouri Valley this summer.

Meet the members of the newly formed Junior Culture and Sportsmanship Council.

10-11 Net Notes

News from all the exciting action in the districts.

2 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM SUMMER 2016

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

Interested in playing more adult tennis, but unsure about the differences between NTRP ratings and tournament rankings?

We’ve provided this chart to breakdown some of the major differences. Bottom line, ratings are your NTRP level assignment for participating in a USTA League or sanctioned NTRP tournament. Rankings are determined by points earned and your results at USTA sanctioned tournaments.

RATINGS

RANKINGS

Used in: Adult Leagues

Used in: Adult Tournaments

Reflects:

Reflects: Skill level determined by Adult League matches

Updated:

Points earned at Adult Tournaments; represented by a player’s standing within a given division Updated:

Year-end ratings are published in December and determines which level a player must play the following year Scale:

Standings are released on a weekly basis, however, final rankings are released in January and reflect a player’s final position in a given division Scale:

NTRP ratings are divided into levels between 2.5 and 6.0

Range of points possible varies on level of tournament (district, section, national) and player’s advancement through the main draw

Questions? Contact Lori Therrien at 913-322-4829 or therrien@movalley.usta.com SUMMER 2016 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 3

Get the family together and play for a championship The USTA Missouri Valley Family Section Championships will be held July 25-28 in St. Louis at Westminster Academy.

So grab your sibling, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather — and try to become the best family duo in the section.

There really is every division imaginable from sibling divisions to parent-child and even grandparent-child. This year the tournament will also add a same-gender couples division for those same-sex couples who want to play at the event.

Watch professional tennis Just weeks before the U.S. Open, some of the top professional players in the world will be criss-crossing the country as part of Mylan World TeamTennis. Among those players will be the top-ranked American man, John Isner. Isner will once again play for the Springfield Lasers this season and will be featured on Aug. 11 against the San Diego Aviators. The following night, former top-10 player, Mardy Fish will play in Springfield for the Washington Kastles.

If you can’t make it to either of those matches, but still want a taste of pro tennis, the USTA Pro Circuit will make stops in Tulsa, Okla., (Week of June 20), Wichita, Kan., (Week of June 27), Godfrey, Ill., (Week of July 18), and Edwardsville, Ill., (Week of July 25). Players competing in Pro Circuit events generally have a ranking between No. 150 and No. 900 in the World. It’s not uncommon to see defending junior Grand Slam champions on the Pro Circuit as they continue their ascent.

You never know who you may see at a Pro Circuit event who could become a champion in the future. Jack Sock, John Isner, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Andy Murray, Sam Querrey and Caroline Wozniacki are among today’s stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Find a way to volunteer Sure, you love playing tennis but have you thought about giving back to the game? We’re always looking for volunteers, particularly for our League Section Championships held in Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha. Our programs would not be possible without volunteers and there are many additional ways to volunteer aside from helping at a tournament. You can also serve on a committee, coach new players, or assist at special events. If you’d like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Marissa Moment Brown at (913) 322-4822 or by email at brown@movalley. usta.com.

Find a patch of grass Within the five state area of the USTA Missouri Valley, there’s no shortage of hard courts to play on so why not branch out. Grab your racquets and head to the All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club near Charles City, Iowa or play in a tournament at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. The St. Louis Open Grass Court Championship will be held Aug. 26-28, while the Henry Shaw Grass Court tournament is scheduled for Sept. 16-18. These venues offer a unique setting and an opportunity to see how your hard court skills translate to the grass.

Earn stars and trophies The United States Tennis Association and its sections have created a “Youth Progression Pathway” that serves as a guide for coaches, parents and players to help ensure that kids 10 and under participate in events using the appropriate ball and court for their skill level. The more kids play, the more stars and trophies they earn. Best of all, they improve their skills along the way.

Players will compete at appropriate levels of play as they progress through stages based on age, participation and achievement. Participants play on smaller courts and use tennis balls with 50 to 75 percent of the compression of a regulation tennis ball. A child can advance to another level by earning the required amount of virtual participation stars and trophies. Players will have to collect a combination of 20 stars and/or trophies to advance to the next level.

The program also taps into the popularity of video games and mobile gaming among children. According to the Entertainment Software Association, 63 percent of parents say video games are a positive part of their child’s life.

4 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM SUMMER 2016

For tennis players, summers are often filled with tournaments, camps, afternoon matches in the heat and more. But what makes for a great summer when it comes to tennis? We’ve put together a short list of some of the best events happening this summer in the USTA Missouri Valley to make sure you can have your best tennis summer yet!

By Andrew Robinson Combine the popular gaming with an active outlet such as tennis and the goal is to engage children while helping them fall in love with tennis. This summer there are over 45 Youth Progression tournaments scheduled across the USTA Missouri Valley’s five-state area.

See the future Each June, the best 16 junior players in each age division from the USTA Missouri Valley gather at the Plaza Tennis Center for the Sweet 16 tournament. It’s a showcase of the area’s best players as many go on to play Division I tennis, junior grand slams, or even become top-25 professionals as is the case with Jack Sock. This year, the tournament occurs during a busy few weeks of tennis in Kansas City.

Watch players compete for a Gold Ball A few of the busiest weeks of the summer on the tennis calendar begin June 10-12 with the National Husband & Wife Hardcourt Championships at the Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City. The following week, the action wraps with the USTA National Women’s Senior 65, 75, 85 Indoor Championship.

Just play anywhere!

We believe you can truly play tennis anywhere. Grab some caution tape or rope and tie it so it’s suspended between two chairs or trees and get to playing with friends, neighbors, whoever you can find. Tennis can be just as much fun on a driveway, playground or parking lot as it can be on a court. So find a new place to play this summer and make some friends doing so!

Serving up savings to USTA Missouri Valley.

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A SPECIAL DISCOUNT.

geico.com | 1-800-368-2734 Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2015. © 2015 GEICO

5

26

19

Men’s Pro Circuit (cont’d)

Men’s Pro Circuit (cont’d)

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

10

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

3

USTA National Women’s Senior 65,75,85 Indoor Championship (cont’d)

SUNDAY

USTA MV June Sweet 16 (cont’d)

All Stars Day (cont’d)

USTA National Husband & Wife Harecourt Championship (cont’d)

12

USTA MV June Super (cont’d)

SUNDAY

Men’s Pro Circuit Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas

13

6

20

11

4

27

MONDAY

Men’s Pro Circuit Philcrest Hills Tennis Club Tulsa, Oklahoma

USTA National Women’s Senior 65,75,85 Indoor Championship Genesis Health Club Overland Park, Kansas

MONDAY

21

14

7

12

5

28

TUESDAY

USTA MV June Sweet 16 Plaza Tennis Center Kansas City, Missouri

TUESDAY

13

6

29

WEDNESDAY

22

15

8

9

2

14

USTA Zone Team 12s, 14s & 16s Championships Various Sites

7

30

THURSDAY

23

16

THURSDAY 3

ITA Summer Circuit Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas

FRIDAY

ITA Summer Circuit Plaza Tennis Center Kansas City, Missouri

15

8

1

24

17

USTA National Husband & Wife Hardcourt Championship Plaza Tennis Center Kansas City, Missouri

10

USTA MV June Super #2 Koch Family Tennis Center Omaha, Nebraska

FRIDAY

USTA MV Outdoor Futures #3 Dwight Davis Tennis Center

USTA Intersectionals 14s & 16s Various Sites

ITA Summer Circuit Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas

16

9

2

25

18

SATURDAY

All Stars Day Fremont Family YMCA Fremont, Nebraska

4

11

SATURDAY

Green = National Light Blue = Adult/Section Purple = World TeamTennis

65s Invitational Overland Park Racquet Club Overland Park, Kansas

Orange = Community Navy Blue = Juniors/collegiate Maroon = Pro Circuit

WEDNESDAY 1

2016 Summer Events in the USTA MISSOURI VALLEY

JUNE

LY

For a complete list of adult and junior tournaments, go to tennislink.usta.com

#PLAYMOVALLEY #PLAYMO

Adult 5’s, 0’s and Open (cont’d)

29

27

20

16

9

30

Orange County Breakers @Springfield Lasers

31

24

17

10

WEDNESDAY 2 3

23

TUESDAY

26

19

18

SEPTEMBER 1

25

Adult League Section Championship II Oklahoma City Tennis Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

San Diego Aviators @ Springfield Lasers (John Isner)

4

11

Adult League Section Championship I Oklahoma City Tennis Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

THURSDAY

28

21

Adult 5’s, 0’s and Open Championship Kansas City, Missouri

Central Regional NTRP Doubles Championship Kansas City, Missouri

Washington Kastles @ Springfield Lasers (Mardy Fish)

2

26

19

12

5

29

22

USTA Junior National Hard Court Championships Various sites

FRIDAY

USTA MV Section Family Championship St. Louis, Missouri

For youth events and play days, visit youthtennis.com

US Open Flushing Meadows, New York (thru Sept. 11)

28

15

8

1

22

MONDAY

Men’s Pro Circuit Edwardsville High School Edwardsville, Illinois

25

Junior Team Tennis 14s & 18s Section Championships Kossover Tennis Center Topeka, Kansas

Men’s Pro Circuit Lewis & Clark Community College Godfrey, Illinois

18

21

USTA Junior National Hard Court Championships (cont’d)

Central Regional NTRP Doubles Championship (cont’d)

14

USTA Junior National Hard Court Championships (cont’d)

Adult League Section Championship I (cont’d)

Men’s Pro Circuit (cont’d)

7

31

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

USTA MV Section Family Championship (cont’d)

Philadelphia Freedoms @ Springfield Lasers

SUNDAY

Men’s Pro Circuit (cont’d)

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

USTA Junior National Clay Court Championships (cont’d)

24

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

USTA Junior National Clay Court Championships Various sites

USTA MV Outdoor Futures #3 (cont’d)

65s Invitational (cont’d)

USTA Zone Team Championships (cont’d)

17

Westwood Tennis Center Norman, Oklahoma

ITA Summer Circuit (cont’d)

J

AUGUST

USTA Semiannual Meeting & Conference New York City (thru Sept. 6)

Arthur Ashe Kids Day National Tennis Center

New York Empire @ Springfield Lasers

Philadelphia Freedoms @ Springfield Lasers

3

27

20

13

6

30

23

SATURDAY

ITA Summer Circuit University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri

ITA Summer Circuit University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma

ITA Summer Circuit University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas

St. Louis, Missouri

USTA Intersectionals (cont’d)

OVALLEY #PLAYMOVALLEY

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Junior players named to newlyformed leadership council

JUNIOR LEADERSHIP

By Andrew Robinson

Improving sportsmanship and player camaraderie is the ultimate goal for a new council recently formed by the USTA Missouri Valley.

Nine junior players have been named to the first Junior Culture and Sportsmanship Council. The participants are expected to be leaders amongst their peers and will serve as a liaison between junior players and USTA Missouri Valley staff and volunteers. Members of the Council will also be a resource for other junior players to provide feedback on the junior circuit.

The members must be 15-18 years old and currently compete on the USTA Missouri Valley junior circuit. The USTA Missouri Valley Junior Culture and Sportsmanship members will serve one-year terms with the opportunity to renew up to two terms.

The members and his or her home district are as follows: • Bradley Frye, Heart of America (co-chair) • Anna Alons, Iowa (co-chair) • Karen Yan, Heart of America • Sriram Sugumaran, Iowa • Stratton Brown, Kansas • Faith Wright, Missouri • Will Gleason, Nebraska • Nathan Han, Oklahoma • Claire Martin, St. Louis Bradley Frye Anna Alons Nikki Chambers, Program Manager for Junior Competition, said the idea for the Council arose from her experience working with members of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee in the Great Lakes Valley Athletic Conference, which provided NCAA student-athletes the chance to offer input on rules and policies that affect college athletes.

"I think it is important that we provide players leadership opportunities and a voice in matters that affect them," Chambers said.

The Junior Culture and Sportsmanship Council members were selected by the USTA Missouri Valley staff and the USTA Missouri Valley Junior Competition Committee.

“We were really looking for players who have exhibited good sportsmanship, and who have also demonstrated a high level of maturity and respect toward tournament officials,” Chambers said.

The Council will have the opportunity to provide feedback to USTA Missouri Valley staff and tournament directors on matters that directly impact players, as well as an opportunity to give back to the game and make a difference in junior tennis.

As part of this opportunity, players will be asked to complete the Positive Coaching Alliance Athlete Course. The USTA Missouri Valley recently partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization dedicated to changing 8 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM SUMMER 2016

the culture in youth sports. The course is designed to help athletes improve self, team/opponents, and the sport as a whole and guides participants through a series of exercises addressing each of these topics.

“We hope players find value in this course and can create some expecations for players on the junior circuit based on what they've learned,” Chambers said.

In addition to being named co-chairs of the USTA Missouri Valley Council, Frye and Alons were also recently named to the first-ever USTA Junior Leadership Team, which recognizes America’s best tennis players who exhibit leadership, sportsmanship and character on and off the court. Frye and Alons are among 30 players nationwide to be named to the Junior Leadership Team.

“These are USTA players whose achievements speak volumes about their character, both as tennis players and as members of the community,” said Bill Mountford, USTA’s Director of Junior Tournaments. “With the USTA Leadership team, we’re glad to have a way to recognize the tremendous examples they’ve set on and off the court.”

Each year, more than 6,000 players compete in USTA Missouri Valley junior tournaments. Players compete in levels through earned advancement in the 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s age divisions. Junior tournaments help kids take their game as far as they want — high school, college or pros — or just to have fun competing.

SUMMER 2016 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 9

NET NOTES Haskins wins Easter Bowl In the boys’ 16s singles final of the ASICS Easter Bowl, top-seeded Carson Haskins of Ballwin, Mo., forced a third set right before the rains came and then returned three hours later to beat a game opponent in No. 11 Lukas Greif of Evansville, Ind., 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

“First thing I did was to get stretched out and make sure I was loose,” said Haskins. “Then I got something to eat because I wasn’t able to eat with all that was going on.”

Haskins, who has trained at the Miller Tennis Academy in Chesterfield, Mo., since he started playing tennis seven years ago at age 9, still plays high school tennis.

Haskins said he checked out the past ASICS Easter Bowl 16s winners online on Friday and saw former USTA Missouri Valley junior star and current ATP player Jack Sock among the past winners.

Carson Haskins

“It’s weird now being on that list,” he said. “Two years ago, I was here playing in the 14s and watched Zeke Clark playing John McNally in the 16s final. I was watching it and remember thinking, ‘God, these players are so good.’ I was in the 14s, and I won a couple rounds, and I was feeling pretty good. But if you would have told me then that I would be winning this tournament now, I would have been like, ‘You’re crazy.’”

Wash U. Takes Tennis on Campus Title With a come from behind victory, Washington University-St. Louis won the 2016 USTA Tennis on Campus Missouri Valley Championship.

Washington University defeated the University of Iowa in the finals of the USTA Tennis on Campus Missouri Valley Championship, held March 5 and 6 at the Overland Park Racquet Club in Overland Park, Kan. The Bears were down 2116 heading into the final mixed doubles match before winning the set 6-2.

Washington University then won the next game to force a supertiebreaker which it won to clinch the title. All told, 14 teams from 13 schools competed during the weekend and three — Washington University-St. Louis, Iowa and Iowa State— advanced to represent the section at the Tennis on Campus National Championships, where Washington University won the tournament’s bronze division.

Anna Welsh from Truman State and Mitchell Steffensmeier from Northern Iowa also earned sportsmanship awards during the tournament.

10 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM SUMMER 2016

Washington University-St. Louis Tennis on Campus team.

NET NOTES Zerni honored by USPTA Rod Zerni, director of tennis at Woodside Health and Tennis Club in Westwood, Kan., was recently named the USPTA Missouri Valley Professional of the Year.

Zerni has been the Tennis Director and a teaching professional at Woodside for the past 19 years. He holds a USPTA Elite Professional certification.

He played tennis at Missouri State University, and has also played on the ITF and ATP tours. He was named the High Performance Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2002 by USTA Heart of America.

Rod Zerni

Volunteers Honored for Years of Service Tennis grows strongest at its grass roots, which is why every year at the Annual Meeting, the USTA celebrates those volunteers and providers who have helped to grow and develop the sport in their community. The 2016 honorees came from all backgrounds and all sections to be recognized for their outstanding dedication to growing tennis at a local level.

Among those honored were John Bregin of Merriam, Kan. Bregin has been a USTA Volunteer for 40 years and is a member of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. Bregin opened the Kansas City Racquet Club in 1969, which was the area’s first indoor/outdoor tennis club.

Scott Hanover of Kansas City, Mo., Verne Weber of Bellevue, Neb., and Kevin Nebergall of Cedar Rapids were also honored for 15 years of volunteer service. Hanover served as president of USTA Missouri Valley from 2011-2014, while Weber served from 2003-2004, and Nebergall served from 2005-2006.

USTA Missouri Valley National Team Coaches Announced The USTA Missouri Valley has named the 2016 coaches for Zonals, Intersectionals and the BG18 National Teams. The selected coaches will be responsible for coaching a team of our top juniors at National Team Competitions held across the country this summer.

12 Zonals Coaches: David Span, Phil Baillos, David Liu 14 Zonals Coaches: Shea Flanagan, Ian Sioux 16 Zonals Coaches: Vincent Boomer Saia, Andrew Shipp, Whitney Ritchie 14 Intersectional Coach: Chris Smith 16 Intersectional Coach: Denise Dy G18 National Team Coach: Colin Foster B18 National Team Coach: Ross Wilson

They were honored at the 2016 USTA Annual Meeting and Conference, March 11-14, at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

John Bregin, with Nancy Alfonso and USTA President Katrina Adams.

SUMMER 2016 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM 11

6400 W 95th Street, Suite 102 Overland Park, KS 66212 missourivalley.usta.com