2026 Yearbook & Spring Serve

2026 YEARBOOK 2026 YEARBOOK 2026YEARBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS USTA Missouri Valley Information

President and Executive Director's Message...............................3 Board of Directors and Past Presidents..................................... 4 District Boundaries and Committee Chairs ................................ 5 USTA Missouri Valley Staff...................................................... 6 At Your Service Provider Resources....................................................................7 Junior Tennis Resources......................................................... 8-9 Adult Tennis Resources....................................................... 9-10 Community Tennis Resources.................................................10 Section Grants................................................................... 10-11 Districts Heart of America............................................................... 12-13 Iowa....................................................................................... 15 Kansas.................................................................................... 16 Missouri................................................................................. 18 Nebraska.................................................................................20 Oklahoma........................................................................ 22-23 St. Louis................................................................................. 24

Annual Conference: A Look Back at the Celebration............ 25 Hall of Fame.................................................................... 26-27 Section Award Winners..................................................... 28-29 Junior Sportsmanship..............................................................29 USTA League Section Champions.................................. 30-36 Serve - Spring 2026 Cover and Table of Contents............................................. 37-38 2026 Events Calendar.............................................................39 2026 Tournaments........................................................... 40-43 Chelsie Brown: Deaflympics Athlete................................ 44-45 Tennis Venue Services........................................................ 46-47 50th Anniversary of Wheelchair Tennis ............................ 48-49 USTA Coaching......................................................................52 2026 Pro Circuits....................................................................54 Junior Team Tennis........................................................... 55-57 Net Notes......................................................................... 58-59 2025 Year in Photos.......................................................... 60-61 Red Ball Tennis.......................................................................62

USTA Missouri Valley 4121 W 83rd Street | Suite 108 Prairie Village, KS 66208 913-322-4800 888-368-8612 toll free Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Distribution of the Yearbook The USTA Missouri Valley Yearbook printed copy is available upon request.

A limited number are available at no cost.

Please email info@movalley.usta.com to receive your copy.

USTA Customer Care 800-990-USTA (8782) customercare.usta.com

Mailing Address Changes To change your address, please contact USTA Customer Care at the phone number listed to the left, or log into your member account at usta.com.

Digital Publications The 2026 USTA Missouri Valley Yearbook was produced digitally with a limited print run. This publication, as well as previous yearbooks and every issue of Serve, is available online in digital format free of charge. Visit usta.com under About Us and Communications.

2026 Yearbook Staff Contributors Mary Buschmann Manon Eilts Abby Lunsford Victoria Moore Josh Sellmeyer

Correspondence - Advertising Reproduction The USTA Missouri Valley Yearbook is a publication of the USTA Missouri Valley.

All correspondence regarding the editorial material should be directed to the USTA Missouri Valley office (c/o Marketing Director). The USTA Missouri Valley may grant permission to reprint any and all articles published in the Yearbook unless copyrighted by a third-party, upon written request. No photographs and/or logos may be reproduced without the written approval of the USTA Missouri Valley.

Mission Statement The mission of the USTA Missouri Valley is growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere. United States Tennis Association Missouri Valley is a not-for-profit organization covering a five-state region of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, as well as parts of Illinois. USTA Missouri Valley has more than 28,000 members. USTA Missouri Valley offers recreational and competitive tennis for all ages and abilities.

Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, no person, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, shall be excluded from, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the USTA Missouri Valley.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against should write to USTA Missouri Valley CEO and Executive Director Mary Buschmann.

ADA Statement In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the USTA Missouri Valley strives to provide quality recreational programs to individuals of all abilities. If you or anyone you know has a disability and would like more information on the accessibility of our programs or any facilities in our section, call toll-free at 888-368-8612. We would like to work with you to continue to improve program and facility accessibility. Also, please contact us if you experience difficulty or have concerns about gaining access to any of our programs or facilities. If you have specific questions or concerns about programs, please contact the CEO and Executive Director, Mary Buschmann.

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A strong, exciting energy is emerging in 2026 as we work toward our United States Tennis Association goal of 35 x 35 35 million players by 2035! We are continuing to attract new players and improve the retention of existing players. As a section, we can deliver meaningful results by enhancing current programs and creatively rolling out new programming. We have great momentum and need to roll this into our mission, moving from ambition to action as we crawl, walk, run toward our goal. The enthusiasm is contagious, and it is very exciting to be part of this movement!

We are dedicated to growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere! Embracing innovation is the key. Tennis is good for you! We believe in the life-changing benefits of tennis! Research shows that people who play tennis live nine years longer. Tennis is fun! We believe in the power of tennis to create human connection. Let’s redefine how we play the game. Whether one-day events, engaging match play or social gatherings where we can meet new friends. Please remember that as we progress together through the pathway of your choice, the USTA is committed to being your partner. And above all, we will create a safe and welcoming environment for all. We believe in growing a sport that is safe and open to all.

We couldn’t continue to grow and achieve these goals without strong, committed leadership and providers to guide us. Thanks to our passionate volunteers and providers for supporting our communities to grow the game!

We have so many ways for everyone to get involved and help shape the future of tennis in USTA Missouri Valley.

Please contact your local CTA, NJTL, district office, and section office to get involved. If you are already serving, let’s be intentional about identifying future volunteers and providers in your community and helping them get connected. Our future volunteers are the key to reaching our goal of 35 x 35!

Let’s trust in our team as we continually inspire each other to be passionate and respectful while listening, asking questions, and offering solutions; let’s share our successes and challenges as we envision the big picture to fulfill our mission. As we continue to foster a vibrant tennis community, our dedicated staff and volunteers are pushing our purpose-driven mission forward and creating more opportunities for players, coaches, and tennis fans alike.

What’s YOUR tennis? Together, let’s amplify the Power of Tennis to energize our communities.

Please join us as we inspire healthier people and communities everywhere!

Energizing and inspiring together,

Mary Buschmann CEO & Executive Director

Beth Causey President 3

2025-26 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Beth Causey brcausey@gmail.com 314-322-8911

First Vice President Kimberly Y. Hughes Gill bkjassociates2@gmail.com 314-740-1888

Vice President Deborah Fabrizius littlesade@hotmail.com 913-424-9290

Vice President Mallory Weber webermalloryl@gmail.com 618-363-4389

Secretary Kate Foss kfoss124@gmail.com 316-993-4013

Treasurer Terry Jackson tcj857@gmail.com 913-706-4788

Immediate Past President & Delegate Alex Lee alexL17@aol.com 316-259-3023

Tracey Johnson, President USTA Heart of America tdjlaw@hotmail.com

Jack Wardell, President USTA Iowa jwardell639@gmail.com

Cary Morris, President USTA Kansas carymorris@icloud.com

Sean Terry, President Matt Lunning, President USTA Missouri USTA Nebraska unwrittenrulesterry@gmail.com mlunning@unmc.edu

Peter McCorkle, President USTA Oklahoma peter.mccorkle@gmail.com

Scott Sutter, President USTA St. Louis

wssutter@mac.com

USTA MISSOURI VALLEY PAST PRESIDENTS 2023-24 2023 2021-22 2019-20 2017-18 2015-16 2011-14 2009-10 2007-08 2005-06 2003-04 1999-2002 1997-98 1995-96 1991-94 1989-90 1987-88 1985-86 1981-84 1979-80 4

Alex Lee Steve Henry Jason Mathes Lisa Minihan Larry Haugness Stuart Dusenberry Scott Hanover Shelley George Richard M. Perry Kevin Nebergall Verne Weber Pam Sloan Dave Riley Barbara Fackel Jodie Adams Mervyn Webster Richard F. Haitbrink Steve Gerdes Joy Rodenberg Leigh Strassner

Wichita, Kansas Oklahoma City, Oklahoma St. Louis, Missouri Edmond, Oklahoma Springfield, Missouri Atlantic, Iowa Kansas City, Missouri Iowa City, Iowa Enid, Oklahoma Cedar Rapids, Iowa Omaha, Nebraska Kansas City, Missouri Tulsa, Oklahoma Rock Island, Illinois Springfield, Missouri Wichita, Kansas Overland Park, Kansas Omaha, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska St. Louis, Missouri

1977-78 1975-76 1973-74 1971-72 1969-70 1967-68 1965-66 1963-64 1961-62 1958-60 1956-57 1946-55 1945 1941-44 1940 1938-39 1937 1927-36 1921-26 1920

Don Gardner Carl A. Simonie Francis Baxter Wilmer Rompf Marvin P. Richmond John L. Brown Jack E. Buss S.E. Freund O.B. Martin T.H. "Curly" Vaughan Herbert Thomas Jr. Dr. Keedy Campbell Russell C. Hadden Monroe C. Lewis Wilbur F. Coen, Jr. Davison Obear Dr. Frank E. Dickneite Joseph W. Ivy C. Drummond Jones, II James M. Craven

Wichita, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Des Moines, Iowa Kansas City, Missouri Omaha, Nebraska Des Moines, Iowa St. Louis, Missouri Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Winfield, Kansas Little Rock, Arkansas Kansas City, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

In which district do I live?

Iowa District - All of Iowa (except Pottawattamie County), as well as Rock Island County in Illinois

Nebraska District - All of Nebraska, as well as Pottawattamie County in Iowa St. Louis District - 10 Missouri counties (Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren and Washington; parts of Illinois within a 30-mile radius of St. Louis City Hall

Kansas District - All of Kansas except those counties in the Heart of America district

Missouri District - All of Missouri, except those counties in either the Heart of America or St. Louis districts Oklahoma District All of Oklahoma

Heart of America District - Seven Kansas counties (Atchison, Doniphan, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte); and 10 Missouri counties (Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Holt, Jackson, Nodaway, Platte and Ray)

2025 - 26 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Adult Play Stephen F. Collins - sfcomaha@gmail.com Staff Liaisons: Scott Howes and Alyssa Stelmach

Community Play Jody Holsinger - jody@aspenwealth.com Staff Liaisons: Lindsay Hall and Kara Heim

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Outreach Adult League Regulations Nick Taylor - nickryantaylor@yahoo.com Michelle Oquin - oquin@ustaoklahoma.com Staff Liaisons: Jaren Glaser and Alywn Staff Liaisons: Alyssa Stelmach and Laura Jager Mushonga Adult Tournament Regulations Grievance Sheila Checotah - sheilachecotah9@gmail.com John Kinsella - john.kinsella241@gmail.com Staff Liaisons: Scott Howes and Laura Jager Staff Liaison: Mary Buschmann Audit Committee Kate Foss - kfoss124@gmail.com Staff Liaison: Susan McClain Awards Stuart Dusenberry - sddins62@yahoo.com Staff Liaisons: Manon Eilts and Abby Lunsford Coaches Commission Chris Smith - csmithbluehillscc@gmail.com Staff Liaisons: Marissa Moment Brown and Laura Puryear

Officials Verne Weber - vaweber10s@aol.com Staff Liaisons: Mary Buschmann and Beth Azan Personnel Alex Lee - alexL17@aol.com Staff Liaison: Mary Buschmann Nominating Alex Lee - alexL17@aol.com Staff Liaison: Mary Buschmann

Hall of Fame Sanctions & Scheduling Judy Dippold - dipper20@gmail.com Justin Bigsby - mrjbigs@gmail.com Staff Liaisons: Manon Eilts and Josh Sellmeyer Staff Liaisons: Marissa Moment Brown and Laura Jager Junior Competition Regulations Simon Norman - simon@genesishealthclubs.com Staff Liaisons: Beth Azan and Caitee Margenthaler Junior Play Larry Newton - larrynewton1221@gmail.com Staff Liaisons: Beth Azan and Tara Williams

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USTA MISSOURI VALLEY STAFF

USTA Missouri Valley Staff (Back row L-R): Sam Owoo-Battlet, Jaren Glaser, Tara Williams, Marissa Moment Brown, Josh Sellmeyer, Alyssa Stelmach, Casey McKenzie, Alywn Mushonga, John Terpkosh, Scott Howes, and Lindsay Hall (Front row L-R): Jacob Beck, Victoria Moore, Abby Lunsford, Kara Heim, Mary Buschmann, Manon Eilts, Caitee Margenthaler, Susan McClain, Beth Azan, Laura Jager, and Laura Puryear. Not pictured: Talli Shepherd and Becca Spears

EXECUTIVE Mary Buschmann CEO and Executive Director 913-322-4824 mbuschmann@movalley.usta.com

Kara Heim Manager, Regional Community Play Iowa, Kansas & Nebraska 913-967-9452 heim@movalley.usta.com

Jaren Glaser Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 913-967-9929 glaser@movalley.usta.com

Scott Howes Manager, Adult Play 913-322-4821 howes@movalley.usta.com

Laura Jager Manager, Administration 913-322-4852 laura.jager@movalley.usta.com

Caitee Margenthaler Coordinator, Junior Tournaments caitee.margenthaler@movalley.usta.com

Susan McClain Managing Director, Finance and HR 913-322-4823 mcclain@movalley.usta.com

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Casey McKenzie Manager, Regional Junior Team Play Missouri & Oklahoma mckenzie@movalley.usta.com

John Terpkosh Manager, Tennis Venue Services 913-967-9926 jterpkosh@movalley.usta.com

Alywn Mushonga Manager, Regional Community Play Missouri & Oklahoma 913-967-9833 mushonga@movalley.usta.com

PLAY AND COMPETITION Beth Azan Senior Manager, Junior Tournaments 913-322-4832 bazan@movalley.usta.com

Laura Puryear Senior Manager, Coach Development and Training 913-967-9147 puryear@movalley.usta.com

Marissa Moment Brown Managing Director, Play and Competition 913-322-4822 brown@movalley.usta.com

Sam Owoo-Battlet Manager, Regional Junior Team Play Missouri & Oklahoma owoo-battlet@movalley.usta.com

Lindsay Hall Senior Manager, Community Play 913-216-5143 hall@movalley.usta.com

Talli Shepherd Play & Competition Coordinator shepherd@movalley.usta.com

Alyssa Stelmach Manager, Adult Team Play 913-322-4829 astelmach@movalley.usta.com Tara Williams Senior Manager, Junior Team Play 913-302-5901 williams@movalley.usta.com FACILITIES Jacob Beck Facility Manager, Plaza Tennis Center 913-749-6046 beck@movalley.usta.com MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Manon Eilts Managing Director - Marketing, Communications and Membership 913-322-4826 eilts@movalley.usta.com Abby Lunsford Digital Content Producer and Web Administrator 913-322-4827 abigayle.lunsford@movalley.usta.com Victoria Moore Digital Content Producer and Graphic Designer 913-322-4838 victoria.moore@movalley.usta.com Josh Sellmeyer Digital Content Producer 314-825-8124 josh.sellmeyer@movalley.usta.com Becca Spears Content Producer, Plaza Tennis Center 913-515-6490 spears@movalley.usta.com

AT YOUR

USTA COACHING

SERVICE

Growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.

USTA Coaching introduces personalized learning journeys to help you grow as a coach, no matter your experience level. Whether you’re a parent looking for ways to share tennis with your child or a lifelong tennis professional, each pathway is thoughtfully designed for your specific coaching role and goals, making it easier to track your progress, discover new content, and earn recognition for your development.

Choose Your Coaching Package

Realize your tennis coaching potential with packages tailored to your needs. We offer packages for every kind of coach - from accessing education to providing benefits. Not sure which package is right for you? Take a quick quiz to find the best option and learning pathway.

Online Modules

Your coaching journey starts here. Our comprehensive education library is now available, featuring everything to support your coaching development with our brand new online learning hub.

In Person Workshops

Level up your coaching skills with hands-on training designed for every stage of your journey.

PROVIDERS:

TENNIS TOOL CENTER SERVE TENNIS Tournament and program registration for both adults and juniors is now available at playtennis.usta.com/.

RESOURCE LIBRARY Scan the QR code to access resources developed by the USTA and its partners to help you teach and develop players on and off the court.

MARKETING GENERATOR Access downloadable resources and customizable materials to help you promote tennis events and programs.

ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBER (WTN) World Tennis Number is a world-class rating system designed to empower players, coaches, clubs and tennis associations to elevate their tennis experiences. The WTN reflects real-time player ability and performance, providing an accurate representation of every player’s skill – from amateur to pro.

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AT YOUR SERVICE

JUNIOR TENNIS RESOURCES What is the USTA Junior Pathway?

It is your child’s journey until they are 18 years old through our youth tennis products under the American Development Model. The ADM offers a comprehensive framework for providers, coaches, athletes, and parents.

By growing friendships, improving skills, and maximizing the potential of players at all levels, this framework will keep more participants playing our sport for a lifetime.

Within the pathway, players ages 11 and over can move freely within the products that fit their age, ball color and skill set. Players ages 10 and under move through the pathway using the Net Generation PlayTracker.

What products are offered under the USTA Junior Pathway?

INTRODUCTION TO TENNIS Youth Red Ball Programming Tennis in Schools

TENNIS IN SCHOOLS Whether you’re teaching tennis in a P.E. class for the first time or looking to continue your coaching passion with middle and high school teams, the USTA has the resources you need to be successful on and off the court. Click here for School Tennis resources and watch the video to the right to see a training in action!

TEAM COMPETITION USTA Team Challenge USTA Junior Team Tennis

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION USTA Junior Circuit USTA Junior Tournaments WTN Tournaments WTN Match Play

Your Journey Starts With Red

The use of ball colors changes as skills improve through the USTA Junior Pathway. The journey is not a linear progression - for example, players can play in Junior Circuit Events or Junior Team Tennis at the same time that they are participating in Junior Tournaments.

Click here to learn more about how to participate in a school training.

AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL The American Development Model (ADM) applies long-term athletic development principles to guide parents and coaches as their players develop and mature. Core to the ADM is highlighting the dangers of early sport specialization and the need to develop multi-sport athletes, as well as a focus on increasing physical activity and fun. Scan the QR code to learn more and discover ADM resources.

Click here to learn more about the American Development Model.

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JUNIOR TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE A simplified USTA Junior Tournament Structure took effect in January 2021. The structure utilizes seven levels of events, ranging from Level 7 (Intermediate) to Level 1 (National Championships) and a universal ranking system that distributes points consistently across the country. Watch the video to the left for more information.

AT YOUR SERVICE Click here to learn more about the junior tournament structure.

Click the calendar for the full junior 2026 section tournament schedule.

ADULT TENNIS RESOURCES USTA LEAGUE

Adult competitive tennis leagues for players of all skill levels that are organized into four age groups - 18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over and 65 & Over. It’s a great way to stay active, improve your game, and meet other players in your area.

Click the calendar below to search for adult 2026 section tournaments.

NTRP

USTA Missouri Valley adult tournament players who participate in NTRP tournaments throughout 2026, and into early 2027, have an opportunity to earn points and qualify for the 2026 NTRP National Championships being held in April 2027.

ADULT TOURNAMENTS

USTA Missouri Valley holds adult tournaments throughout our five-state area for every age and skill level, on clay, hard, and grass court surfaces. Play a section tournament for your chance to qualify for National Championships or simply for the love of the game.

USTA FLEX TENNIS

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, returning player, or total beginner, the USTA Flex app helps you find local activities and players, so you can play more and get better, on your schedule.

RED BALL TENNIS

Red Ball Tennis drops the pressure and dials up the fun of the classic game we all love.

Whether you’re new to the game, coming back after a break, or just looking to get active, Red Ball Tennis makes it easy to jump in. No formal courts, no strict rules, just high-energy play whenever and wherever you want.

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AT YOUR SERVICE

COMMUNITY TENNIS RESOURCES TENNIS IN THE PARKS

Recognizing the importance of public parks in the longterm health and growth of the sport, this initiative provides resources designed to help establish, grow and sustain tennis programming in public parks across the nation.

COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATIONS (CTAs)

are not-for-profit, volunteer-based organizations supporting programs that grow the game of tennis.

THE NATIONAL JUNIOR TENNIS & LEARNING (NJTL)

is a network of nonprofit youth development organizations that offer free or low-cost tennis and education programming to under-resourced youth within the section.

WHEELCHAIR

USTA Missouri Valley is dedicated to providing exceptional programming and developmental opportunities to wheelchair athletes of all ages and abilities. From wheelchair-specific events to NTRP Adult Tournaments and USTA League, there are more opportunities to play tennis than ever before in 2026, the 50th Anniversary of Wheelchair Tennis.

TENNIS VENUE SERVICES Our Tennis Venue Services team is your partner in making your tennis facility the place to be. From tennis court resurfacing, court amenities, and lighting upgrades to full-scale construction projects, click here to find out how we can help.

ADAPTIVE

tennis makes the game accessible for everyone. People ofany age, environment, social, intellectual or physical ability are invited to participate. USTA Missouri Valley provides both competitive and community-driven play opportunities for adaptive athletes.

2026 grants.

USTA Missouri Valley offers grants to assist organizations to initiate or expand their tennis programming activities.

2026 Grant Deadlines: - Friday, February 13 - Friday, April 10 - Friday, July 10 - Friday, October 16 10

• SECTION-LEVEL GRANT CATEGORIES • Serving Up Tennis Grants (Not-for-Profit Organizations) • Pro-Circuit Assistance Grant • Adaptive Programming Assistance Grant • Wheelchair Programming Assistance Grant • Facility Assistance Grant • National Tennis Month Program Assistance (May 2026) -Deadline: April 10, 2026

• DISTRICT-LEVEL GRANT CATEGORIES • Deadlines are specified within each district grant guideline if chosen.

If you have questions please contact Tara Williams: Senior Manager, Junior Team Play 913-302-5901 • williams@movalley.usta.com

2025 Read more: usta.com/grants IMPACT OF GRANTS IN USTA MISSOURI VALLEY Read more: usta.com/grants

AWARDED OVER $145,000 Serving Up Tennis: $84,873.50 Grow The Game: $6,000 Pro Circuit Grants: $35,000 Other Section Grants: $19,862.50

SERVED 82 ORGANIZATIONS 37 Not-For-Profit Organizations 21 National Tennis Month Programs 11 For-Profit Organizations 5 Adaptive Programs 2 Wheelchair Programs 6 Pro Circuits 11

HEART OF AMERICA OFFICERS IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Deborah Fabrizius 913-424-9299 littlesade@hotmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rebecca Falkner Axelrod 913-660-5199 ustaheartofamerica@gmail.com

PRESIDENT Tracey Johnson 913-515-0991 tdjlaw@hotmail.com

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT TBA VICE PRESIDENT - ADULTS Jody Holsinger 913-269-3962 jody@aspenwealth.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anne Cusser 913-593-1367 acusser81@gmail.com

Michelle Gifford 479-280-0052 mmgiff@hotmail.com

Jackie Gehrke 816-868-4179 jackieg@kc.rr.com

Terry Miller 913-341-8209 ttm10s@aol.com

Garrett Gerleman 816-500-0722 garrettgerleman@gmail.com

Phyllis Norman 816-288-9622 phyllis@ngkclaw.com

Lorie Verdi 816-210-8225 tlzv@sbcglobal.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

TREASURER Cassidy Mears 913-488-8669 cassidymears@gmail.com SECRETARY W. Clark Richardson Wcrichardson4@gmail.com

LEAGUE COORDINATORS

ADULT COMPETITION Jody Holsinger 913-269-3962 jody@aspenwealth.com

JUNIOR COMPETITION COORDINATOR Elizabeth Deerinwater ustahoajrs@gmail.com

ADULT LEAGUE COORDINATOR, 18 & OVER, 40 & OVER, 65 & OVER Blerina Boci 913-660-5627 hoaleagues@gmail.com

AWARDS Jamie Galloway awardshoa@gmail.com

JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS COORDINATOR Rod Zerni 913-269-6607 Rodney.Zerni@genesishealthclubs.com

55 & OVER Anne Cusser acusser81@gmail.com

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT David “Skip” Span ustaheartofamericacommunitydev@gmail.com DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Paige Salveter 314-494-8229 psalveter@gmail.com GRANTS W. Clark Richardson wcrichardson4@gmail.com HALL OF FAME Scott Hanover 816-656-5540 ptcguy@yahoo.com

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VICE PRESIDENT - JUNIORS Jared Ward 479-659-2493 jwardjayhawktennis@gmail.com

OFFICIALS Dale Wooderson hoaofficials@gmail.com TENNISLINK ADMINISTRATOR Pat Sibenaller 816-916-5889 pat.usta@gmail.com

18 & OVER MIXED Jackie Gehrke jackieg@kc.rr.com 40 & OVER MIXED Deborah Fabrizius littlesade@hotmail.com 55 & OVER MIXED Eric Santon esanton@comcast.net TRI-LEVEL Jody Holsinger and Karen Luchinsky Jody: jody@aspenwealth.com Karen: kluchinsky@gmail.com

Adult Player of the Year 4.0 & Above - Male Wouter Moormann Adult Player of the Year 4.0 & Above - Female Lauren Blazar Adult Player – 3.5 & Below - Male Garrett Gerleman Adult Player – 3.5 & Below - Female Megan Schemmel Distinguished Service Barbara Meigs Event of the Year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri Facility of the Year Genesis Overland Park Overland Park, Kansas High School Coach of the Year Tana Stock, Oak Park High School Junior Emerging Player of the Year - Male Ben Bautista Junior Emerging Player of the Year - Female Wren Stultz Junior High Performance Player of the Year Male Micah Ward Junior High Performance Player of the Year Female Ava Beltran

Member Organization of the Year Overland Park Racquet Club Overland Park, Kansas

Shawna Froeschl Adult Sportsmanship Male Juan Carlos Correa

Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament Level 4: USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic

Shawna Froeschl Adult Sportsmanship Female Mallory Plungkhen Kandice Thurman

Outstanding Community Tennis Association Stephanie Waterman Foundation Kansas City, Missouri Outstanding Contributor to USTA Tennis Youth Programs Lindell Frye Outstanding Contributor to USTA League Tennis Dawn Weston Kathleen Fendler Chris Cox Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Program David “Skip” Span

Stephanie Waterman Junior Sportsmanship Male Elijah Cedillo Tennis Family of the Year The Allen Family Junior Sportsmanship Winners Girls 12 – Lily Ospino Girls 14 – Kynsey Smith Girls 16 – Molly McDermed Girls 18 – Catherine Beltrame Boys 12 – Tyden McMullin Boys 14 – Andrew Beltran Boys 16 – Ishaan Rao Boys 18 – Arjun Reiland

Outstanding Diversity Achievement Tim Weber

HEART OF AMERICA

2025 AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Junior Tournament Level 2: Boys 18 Kansas City, Missouri Outstanding Official Tracey Johnson Kansas City, Kansas Scott Hanover President’s Award Matt Rodney

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA USTA Heart of America

@usta_heartofamerica_juniors

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HEARTLAND USTA HEART OF AMERICA

WHEELCHAIR CLASSIC

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

L4: USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic April 24 - 26, 2026

SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 19!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER BY APRIL 19!

Northland Racquet Club, Kansas City, MO

For more information, contact Rebecca Falkner Axelrod: ustaheartofamerica@gmail.com

IOWA OFFICERS PAST PRESIDENT Brenton Kuchera 319-296-5933 kuchera.brenton@gmail.com FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Nicole Berger 515-499-0372 paradisetennisflkeys@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brenton Kuchera 319-296-5933 usta.iowa@gmail.com

PRESIDENT Jack Wardell 712-790-1904 jwardell639@gmail.com

SUPPORT STAFF

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ACCOUNTANT Susan McClain 913-322-4823 mcclain@movalley.usta.com

ADULT COMPETITION Ann Simons-Burnett 515-451-1374 andrean-simons@uiowa.edu

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Cindy Rasche 563-249-3132 crasche333@gmail.com

ADULT LEAGUE COORDINATOR Jennifer Smith 515-988-3135 ustaiowaleagues@gmail.com

ADULT LEAGUES Jennifer Smith 515-988-3135 ustaiowaleagues@gmail.com

GRIEVANCE Tom Wolle 319-721-8314 twolle@simmonsperrine.com

AWARDS Adam Hulten 515-210-3021 adam.hulten@dmschools.org

HALL OF FAME Fred Pedersen 319-530-6422 fred-pedersen@uiowa.edu

COLLEGIATE Armando Espinosa 515-450-4829 armandoe@amesfitness.com

JUNIOR COMPETITION Trent Schneider 319-541-6257 trentschneider24@gmail.com

RECREATION Jeff Ehrhardt 641-414-1724 jlehrh@gmail.com

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Brock Wilson 702-379-6353 brock10s2u@outlook.com

NOMINATING/PERSONNEL Brenton Kuchera 319-296-5933 kuchera.brenton@gmail.com

UMPIRES (OFFICIALS) Steve England 515-447-0126 iowatennisofficials@gmail.com

ADULTS/MIXED/SENIORS Dana McBratney 636-222-0705 iowa55mixed@gmail.com DISTRICT LIAISON Deborah Fabrizius littlesade@hotmail.com STRATEGIC PLAN COORDINATOR John Terpkosh 816-780-1047 ustaiowaspc@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT Cindy Klebe 563-506-5901 cindyrtklebe@msn.com VICE PRESIDENT Nate Williams 319-378-6996 tlnnlt56@gmail.com SECRETARY Brandon Willett 515-778-1502 willett.Brandon@gmail.com TREASURER Dan Van Langen 515-208-0066 dvanlangen44@gmail.com

2025 AWARD WINNERS Adult Player of the Year Nathan Williams, Cedar Rapids, IA Emerging Junior Female Player of the Year Micayla Edkin, Muscatine, IA Emerging Junior Male Player of the Year Isaac Lors, Norwalk, IA Junior High Performance Female Player of the Year Secie Haan, Clinton, IA Facility of the Year Waukee Northwest High School, Waukee, IA Outstanding Community Tennis Association Great River Tennis Association, Muscatine, IA Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs Faith Bliss, Urbandale, IA

Outstanding Contributor to the USTA League Tennis Program Christine Amelon, Laura Wolf, Laura Anderson High School Coach of the Year Jeff Hightshoe, Iowa City, IA Junior Sportsmanship Girls 12U: Peyton Fleming, Robins, IA Boys 12U: Jacob Tobey, Muscatine, IA Boys 14U: Kipton Coy, Johnston, IA Girls 16U: Kaylee Cochran, Muscatine, IA Boys 16U: Ethan Wang, Ames, IA Girls 18U: Maddie Rowdan, Clinton, IA Boys 18U: Liam Miller, Des Moines, IA

President’s Award John Terpkosh

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USTA Iowa

Tennis Family of the Year The Fleming Family, Robins, IA

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KANSAS OFFICERS PAST PRESIDENT Kate Foss 316-993-4013 USTAKate@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Amy Mathew 660-553-0111 USTAKansasED@gmail.com

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT/ ADULT COMPETITION Dan Eccles 620-364-9270 bluestem5@yahoo.com

PRESIDENT Cary Morris 316-641-3606 Carymorris@icloud.com

DISTRICT SUPPORT STAFF

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

DISTRICT LEAGUE COORDINATOR Dylan Jones 316-200-3757 KansasDLC@gmail.com JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS COORDINATOR Janet Glaser 316-655-9988 janetglaser70@gmail.com

ADULT LEAGUES Amy Mathew 630-272-8022 USTAKansasDLC@gmail.com

HALL OF FAME George Milton 620-342-8806 peten1936@gmail.com

AWARDS Nick Shulte 316-648-6393 schultenick@gmail.com

JUNIOR COMPETITION Simon Norman 316-634-6111 simon@genesishealthclubs.com

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CO-CHAIRS Ron Thompson 316-681-1273 RonT702@yahoo.com

OFFICIALS John Seal 620-778-2289 netjts0@gmail.com

JUNIOR COMPETITION COORDINATOR Simon Norman 316-634-6111 simon@genesishealthclubs.com

Grady Landrum Grady.Landrum@gmail.com

YOUTH PATHWAY COORDINATOR Zach Loomis 316-650-9257 Zachl620@hotmail.com

GRANTS Gabriel Yankey 316-461-2844 Gab.Yankey@gmail.com

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT/ JUNIOR COMPETITION Simon Norman 316-634-6111 simon@genesishealthclubs.com SECRETARY Brenda Munds 620.694.0283 bmunds87@gmail.com TREASURER TBA

DIRECTORS Terry Neal 785-488-7460 t.neal1230.tn@gmail.com Gary Shipp 785-230-6012 gshipp@kvc.org Gabriel Yankey 316-461-2844 gab.yankey@gmail.com

2025 AWARD WINNERS Adult Players of the Year Kenneth Blair Mica Elkouri

Adult Sportsmanship Awards Chris Heck Steve King

Facility of the Year Topeka Country Club

Junior Sportsmanship Awards Sriman Garantla Sophia Alsaleem

High School Coach of the Year Duane Pomeroy Junior Emerging Players of the Year Caroline and Chloe Hocker (twins) Alexander DeLaTorre Junior High Performance Players of the Year Harsha Maradona Wyatt Schultz Allison Munhall

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Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament Wichita Air Capital Open Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Programs Kaey-Den Tan Outstanding Contributor to USTA League Tennis Macy Mathew

Tennis Family Of The Year The Jittawait Family Outstanding Contributor To Youth Tennis Programs Eva Castiglioni Distinguished Service Simon Norman

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USTA Kansas

Participating Cities:

Kansas City* • Omaha* • St. Louis* Oklahoma City* • Tulsa* • Lincoln* Springfield • Des Moines • Wichita *Offering doubles

MISSOURI OFFICERS IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Mallory Weber mallory.weber@springfieldmo.gov

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ben Coltharp ustamissouridirector@gmail.com

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Steve Webb swebb@springfieldmo.gov

PRESIDENT Sean Terry 417-576-7304 unwrittenrulesterry@gmail.com

SECRETARY Cheryl Ballou ustamissouri.cherylballou@gmail.com

DISTRICT SUPPORT STAFF

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FINANCE DIRECTOR Kortney Wassam Lori Hunt ustamissouridirector@gmail.com lhmotennis@gmail.com

ADULT COMPETITION Leslie Echols ustamotournaments@gmail.com

DISTRICT LEAGUE COORDINATOR Carol Rollins ustamissouridlc@gmail.com

COLUMBIA LEAGUE COORDINATOR April Edwards comoleagues@gmail.com

AWARDS - TBA JUNIOR COMPETITION Steve Nguyen qn5892@gmail.com OFFICIALS Kim Kilgore kkilgore7@gmail.com

2025 AWARD WINNERS Adult Player of the Year - Female Hee Sun Kim

Emerging Junior Player - Female Avery Murray

Adult Player of the Year - Female Beverly Horvit

Facility of the Year Camdenton High School

Adult Sportsmanship Winners Elizabeth Ball Jay Bryant-Wimp Kevin Hofmeister Katie Wilson

High School Coach of the Year Scott Maple

Captain of the Year Tony Roldan Community Service Award Zach Thomas Community Service Excellence Reeds Spring School District Outstanding Contributor to Local Tennis Turtlebrook Tennis Emerging Junior Player - Male Oliver “Ollie” Stabb

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Junior High Performance Player Male Teddy Tang Junior High Performance Player Female Agata Golubchenko Member Organization of the Year Cooper Tennis Complex New League Player of the Year Brynley Brotherton Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament Spring Skirmish Outstanding Contributor to Recreational Tennis Phil Barber

Outstanding Contributor to the USTA League Tennis Program Huong Doan Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Program Parrish Simmons Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs Marianella Padron Outstanding Diversity Achievement SW Area for Special Olympics and Springfield/Greene County Park Board

TREASURER Stephanie Farid sewfarid@gmail.com AT-LARGE Sean Kembell seankembell@gmail.com Kim Kilgore kkilgore7@gmail.com Gary Loos gloos1@hotmail.com Pedro Pablo Araujo pabloaraujio21@gmail.com

Junior Sportsmanship Awards Girls 10U - Ridhima Singh Boys 10U - Graham Morris Girls 12U - Grace Liao Boys 12U - Kellett Grisham Girls 14U - Ellice Kembell Boys 14U - Zander Harris Girls 16U - Claire Cofer Boys 16U - Tobias Huckaba Girls 18U - Paige Morris Boys 18U - Calvin Werner

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Outstanding Junior Tournament Mo Valley L4 Millennium Family Fitness B/G Outstanding Official Kelly Hayes Distinguished Service Linda Peters Tennis Family of the Year Mueller Family (Majorie and Majie)

ustamissouridistrict

Celebrate The World’s Healthiest Sport What is National Tennis Month: • May is dedicated to celebrating tennis and promoting its fun, health, and community benefits.

• Goal: Inspire new and returning players to enjoy tennis during May and beyond.

• Focus: Health, social connection, and accessible fun for all ages.

(May(MAY 15-17) Key Event: “Hit-to-Be-Fit” Day 15TH) • Nationwide Cardio Tennis activation: High-energy, calorie-burning workout.

• Capture the energy of this national movement. Go to usta.com/ntm.

Engage Your Community:

NTM Incentives: A chance to win a pair of FAGE Suite tickets at the 2026 US Open, round-trip flights, hotel accommodations, and more

USTA Resources: USTA will utilize paid media and affiliated partners to increase awareness of the various activities.

Access promotional materials, event templates, and proclamation tools at usta.com/ntm

• Host Events: Organize activities at parks, clubs, schools, or fitness centers.

• Promote: Use USTA resources to market your events and engage your local audience.

• Proclaim: Officially declare May as National Tennis Month in your community.

• Volunteer: Support local tournaments and events.

• Advocate: Share the health and social benefits of tennis with your proffesional network.

GET STARTED FOR MAY TODAY! usta.com/ntm

NEBRASKA OFFICERS IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT John Rademacher 308-440-1112 johnprademacher@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lisa Thomas 408-290-5931 lisathomasusta@icloud.com

PRESIDENT Matt Lunning 515-371-1931 mlunning@unmc.edu

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Stephen Collins sfcomaha@gmail.com SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Ryan Johnson angst_ink@yahoo.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS ADULT PLAY & COMPETITION Stephen Collins 402-968-4972 sfcomaha@gmail.com AWARDS Verne Weber 402-682-5862 vaweber10s@aol.com COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Matt Morrow 940-867-1266 mmorrow@kearneygov.org

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Tammy Hill tamtennis18@aol.com HALL OF FAME Verne Weber 402-682-5862 vaweber10s@aol.com JUNIOR COMPETITION Justin Bigsby 402-721-8069 mrjbigs@gmail.com LEAGUE COORDINATORS Andrea Jensen Tammy Tegler

NOMINATING Mike Willman 402-547-9613 mikewllmn@gmail.com

SECRETARY Brittni Redding brittni.redding@cox.net

OFFICIALS Michael Martin 904-315-8575 mikestock_992004@yahoo.com

TREASURER Jeff Fredricks jfredricks@gmail.com 402-490-7796

LOCAL PLAY AND COMPETITION Larry Newton 402-326-3484 larrynewton@cox.net

2025 AWARD WINNERS Adult Player of the Year (3.5) Alice Blake

Media Excellence Andrea Gallagher

Adult Player of the Year (4.0) Frauke Hachtmann/Ross Jensen

Outstanding Community Tennis Association Omaha Tennis Association

Adult/Senior Tournament of the Year Cornhusker State Games

Outstanding Contributor USTA League Tennis Shalla Powell Mandigo

Distinguished Service Heather Blumel

Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs Bea Acena

Facility of the Year Fremont High School Tennis Center

Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Hugo Piles/Talor Wain

High School Coach of the Year Scott Chisolm Junior High Performance Player of the Year Zoe Katsavelis Junior Emerging Players of the Year Brynn Smiley/Michael Salem Junior Tournament of the Year Cornhusker State Games

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Outstanding Official Adam Studts

Junior Sportsmanship Awards Girls 10U - Alexis Kummer Boys 10U - Steve Salem Boys 12U - Dylan Rife Girls 14U - Lindsey Klein Boys 14U - Caden Rathe Girls 16U - Lily Abele Girls 18U - Conner White Boys 18U - Ashton Rames

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USTA Nebraska

Tennis Family of the Year The Jamison Family

@usta_nebraska

Click here for instructions on how to vote!

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OKLAHOMA OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR David Minihan 405-312-5252 minihan@ustaoklahoma.com

COMMUNITY TENNIS MANAGER Blair Schluter 918-978-8973 ctm@ustaoklahoma.com

PRESIDENT Peter McCorkle 918-830-0698 peter.mccorkle@gmail.com

QUADRANT REPRESENTATIVES NORTHWEST QUADRANT Carmen Bond 405-850-5458 cbond@oktennis.org

NORTHEAST QUADRANT Lisa Charvat 918-645-4355 charvatlisa68@gmail.com

SOUTHEAST QUADRANT Megan Garlington megan.garlington@gmail.com 316-214-5837

SOUTHWEST QUADRANT Dawna Johnston 610-307-0436 dawna_johnston@hotmail.com

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Eric Wedemeyer 405-627-0792 ewedemeyer1@cox.net VICE PRESIDENT - ADULTS Mary Jo Tasker 918-694-5445 maryjotasker@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT - JUNIORS Cristian Pensavalle 405-315-8012 pensavalletennis@gmail.com TREASURER Jeff Bowser 405-627-3987 jeff@heritagecpas.com SECRETARY Emily Pomeroy 405-317-2611 emily@okmta.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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ADULT COMPETITION Mary Jo Tasker 918-694-5445 maryjotasker@gmail.com

OKC LEAGUE COORDINATOR Seth Moore 405-209-0607 okcleagues@ustaoklahoma.com

JUNIOR COMPETITION Cristian Pensavalle 405-315-8012 pensavalletennis@gmail.com

AWARDS Joan Dinneen 918-691-1990 joan.bonfield.dinneen@cox.net

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Caitlyn Sagraves 405-609-7963 caitlynmetseff@gmail.com

NOMINATING Eric Wedemeyer 405-627-0792 ewedemeyer1@cox.net

BUDGET & FINANCE Jeff Bowser 405-627-3987 jeff@heritagecpas.com

GENERAL COUNSEL/GRIEVANCE Charles Laster 405-273-2910 charlielaster@sbcglobal.net

OFFICIALS Dean Richardville 918-671-7208 dean@richardville.org

COLLEGIATE Marc Claude 405-640-9638 cell marcaclaude@gmail.com

GRANTS Annie Simpson 918-409-4602 anniejsimpson@gmail.com

SANCTIONS & SCHEDULING Josh Moore 405-590-8665 josh@mqhomes.net

DISTRICT LEAGUE COORDINATOR TULSA LEAGUE COORDINATOR Michelle Oquin 918-381-6690 oquin@ustaoklahoma.com

HALL OF FAME Richard Perry 580-242-5848 richard.m.perry@sbcglobal.net

Adult Player of the Year (3.5 & Below) Heather Duncan Adult Player of the Year (4.0 & Above) Ken Ellinger Facility of the Year LaFortune Tennis Center High School Coach of the Year Paula Baugher Male Emerging Junior Player of the Year Luke Upthegrove Female Emerging Junior Player of the Year Luci Tavangar Male Junior High Performance Player of the Year TJ Shanahan

Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Seth Moore Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs Yolanda Platovet Outstanding Diversity Achievement Krishna Bhadriraju Outstanding Tournament L4 Open at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center

Outstanding Official Jim Lawson Tennis Family of the Year Creevey Family Junior Sportsmanship Award Lainey Ruff Hall of Fame Inductees Steve Henry Julius Lubicz

OKLAHOMA

2025 AWARD WINNERS

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Female Junior High Performance Player of the Year Caroline Creevey Member Organization of the Year The Greens Country Club Outstanding Contributor to USTA League Joan Dinneen

USTA Oklahoma

@ustaoklahoma

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ST. LOUIS FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICERS IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Paul Petruska 618-772-0086 ppetruska@fratrust.com

USTA St. Louis Tennis

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Megan Kovacs 314-585-9552 director@ustastl.com

PRESIDENT Scott Sutter 314-604-0939 wssutter@mac.com

DISTRICT STAFF PHONE: 314-432-3990

VICE PRESIDENT - ADULTS Jerry Horsford 636-675-2139 caribb51@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT - COMMUNITY Ben Gildehaus 617-945-4630 ben@breakpointacademy.org

JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS Roselyn Reyes-Teach 314-267-7186 jtt@ustastl.com

ADULT PLAYER LIAISON Lori Divin playtennis@ustastl.com 40+/55+ LEAGUE COORDINATOR Lisa Lamb 40plus@ustastl.com MIXED LEAGUE COORDINATOR Mary Pat Geldmeier mixed@ustastl.com

DISTRICT SUPPORT

@ustastl

18-39 SOCIAL LEAGUE COORDINATOR Dom Marticorena under40@ustastl.com

ADULT PROGRAM MANAGER Sherry Taylor leagues@ustastl.com

AWARDS Megan Kovacs director@ustastl.com

VICE PRESIDENT - JUNIORS TBA

SECRETARY TBA TREASURER Louann Boyd 314-922-8004 louannboyd@yahoo.com

TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR/ JUNIOR PLAY MANAGER Toni McDonald 314-585-9468 tournaments@ustastl.com DWIGHT DAVIS TENNIS CENTER Noel Quevreaux, General Manager 314-361-0177 dwight@ustastl.com

FINANCIAL MANAGER Nancy Varner financial@ustastl.com

LEGAL ADVISOR Andy Glaser 314-446-4259 aglaser@sandbergphoenix.com

ST. LOUIS ASSOCIATION OF TENNIS OFFICIALS (SLATO) Carobeth Kelly - President kellycarobeth@gmail.com

2025 AWARD WINNERS Adult Players of the Year (3.5 & below) Mary Vassar Adult Sportsmanship Brian Santos / *Angela Reckelhoff Shelley Fridley Adult Players of the Year (4.0 & Above) Member Organization of the Year *Matt Suddarth / Clarissa Allen Forest Lake Tennis Club Distinguished Service *Doug Smith

Outstanding Adult Tournament Alton Open (TD: James Humphrey)

Facility of the Year *Vetta Sports Sunset

Outstanding Community Tennis Association *East St. Louis CTA

Family of the Year Cimarolli/Nosic (Dave, Barb, Emily, Maggie, Ralf, Beth, Stefan) Judy Dippold Junior Players of the Year *Shaan Patel / *Angela Chen Junior Emerging Players of the Year Luke Warner / *Emma Chen

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Outstanding Contributors to USTA Leagues Dominic Marticorena / Patty Fry High School Coach of the Year *Kelly Stahlhuth (Bayless)

Outstanding Junior Team Tennis Organizer Brent Gruno Outstanding Contributor Youth High Performance Santiago Munoz Outstanding Contributor to Youth Programs Edwardsville Tennis Academy Outstanding Diversity Achievement Roy Taylor Outstanding Event of the Year Woodie Classic IV Outstanding Junior Tournament Level 6: St. Clair Thanksgiving Challenge (TD: Nick Mueller)

Outstanding Official Diana Trickey Outstanding Volunteer Bryan Jarvis/Jarvis Electric President’s Award Pat Purcell Junior Sportsmanship Awards Boys 10 – James Mathes Boys 12 – Aike Chen Boys 14 – *Alexander Walton Boys 16 – *Sento Lawuary Boys 18 – Noah Sutter Girls 10 – Lillyan Wu Girls 12 – Madison Evans Girls 14 – *London Evans Girls 16 – *Shree Nidhi Sikkal Kumar Girls 18 – *Natalie Haug

* USTA Missouri Valley Section Award Winner

2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Tennis—the World’s Healthiest Sport—was celebrated in style throughout the USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference. The 2025 rendition of the conference was back at the Olathe Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas, and took place Dec. 4-6.

Click here to view the 2025 Annual Conference photo album.

The festivities culminated with three standout contributors to the sport of tennis— Sam Fotopoulos, Nathan Price and David Steinmeyer—being inducted as the 148th, 149th and 150th members of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. More than 200 individuals were on hand to celebrate the Class of 2025 and USTA Missouri Valley award recipients.

A total of 29 awards were given out to players, providers, facilities and leaders recognizing excellence on and off the court. That included nine junior sportsmanship award winners and high school coach Doug Smith receiving the Distinguished Service Award, a recognition he called “the capper” on a legendary career. Brenton Kuchera was selected for the President’s Award by USTA Missouri Valley President Beth Causey.

Additionally, the 2025 USTA Missouri Valley end of year video was played, highlighting some of the best sights and sounds from this year’s numerous tennis events. Videos for the Hall of Fame inductees can be viewed here. Several well-known tennis personalities congratulated Fotopoulos in his video, and after Price’s video was played, Roger Federer made a surprise cameo with a recorded congratulatory message.

Learning and Connection The annual conference kicked off Dec. 4 with trainings and a discussion between Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director, and Perren Wong, USTA Board of Directors member. Attendees then tried their hand at Red Ball Tennis during the Rockin’ Red Ball Rally & Social, showcasing that the sport can be played anywhere.

Craig Morris got Friday’s busy slate rolling by detailing the launch and subsequent success of the all-new USTA Coaching enterprise. Individuals learned more about engaging and growing their volunteer base as well as USTA’s Tennis Venue Services grant funding at breakout sessions. And a panel of national and section experts discussed the benefits of implementing electronic line calling at facilities.

Committee meetings took center stage during the afternoon, with the meeting of the association and meeting of the board wrapping up sessions for the day. During dinner and networking that evening, about 40 prizes—including several US Open items—were handed out.

Additionally, Kevin Heim, Team USA wheelchair tennis coach, relayed that 2026 marks 50 years of wheelchair tennis and the milestone will be celebrated throughout the year. Buschmann announced the section has three winners featured in Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine’s Champions of Tennis edition: Bunny Bruning, Lisa Minihan and Overland Park Racquet Club.

Conference Concludes Prior to the Hall of Fame induction and awards celebration on Saturday, Ted Loehrke and Lydia Colaresi from USTA national detailed strategies behind the USTA’s 35 by ’35 mission of reaching 35 million tennis players by 2035. An Officials Committee Meeting and USTA district roundtables then took place.

The theme of tennis being a family affair popped up throughout the annual conference, particularly during the Hall of Fame induction and awards celebration. The Fleming family collected the Family of the Year Award, and several individuals credited family members for their growth as players and people during their award speeches.

Each 2025 Hall of Fame inductee has strong family ties. Fotopoulos teamed with his daughter, Mimi, to win a father-daughter national championship and earn a No. 1 national doubles ranking. Price and his father, Cliff—a fellow USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Famer—won five USTA Balls at father-son tourneys and likewise were ranked No. 1 in the country. Steinmeyer is simply known as “Coach” to his family, and he listed his grandchildren as some of the top players he coached in his 52-year career.

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2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Click here to view videos of our Hall of Fame inductees on USTA Missouri Valley’s YouTube channel.

Sam Fotopoulos

Nathan Price

C L A S S

O F

David Steinmeyer

2 0 2 5

Sam Fotopoulos Lifelong tennis player Sam Fotopoulos (Prairie Village, Kan.) has been a standout competitor at each stage of his career that spans 55plus years. Fotopoulos was a top-ranked USTA Missouri Valley and USTA national junior, and he captured a high school state singles championship in undefeated fashion. His collegiate career included a Big Eight Conference title at the University of Oklahoma. While in college Fotopoulos represented Greece on the country’s national team, traveling the globe as a Davis Cup member. He has been a champion in every age division of USTA Heart of America and has accumulated 12 USTA National Championship Balls during his distinguished tournament career. Fotopoulos and his daughter, Mimi, teamed up to become the No. 1-ranked USTA father-daughter duo in the nation in 2018. Fotopoulos was introduced to tennis at the age of 5 by his father, John Fotopoulos, a former top USTA national player in his own right. Fotopoulos met his wife, Angie, while both were attending the University of Oklahoma. He taught tennis to his children, Chris and Mimi, who each went on to play collegiately for the Sooners. Fotopoulos was named the USTA Heart of America Player of the Year in 1997, while the Fotopoulos crew was chosen as the district’s Family of the Year in 2005. Fotopoulos was previously inducted into the USTA Heart of America Hall of Fame in 2021.

Nathan Price Former ATP Tour player and University of Arkansas standout Nathan Price (formerly Tulsa, Okla.) enters the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame after previously being inducted into the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016. Price—who now lives in Lafayette, California with his wife, daughter and son—grew up in a tennis household. His father, Cliff Price, is a fellow USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Famer (1999) and put a racquet in his son’s hands at the age of 18 months. Price captured the 2000 Oklahoma 5A state championship in high school before playing No. 1 singles and doubles for the University of Arkansas. He led the Razorbacks to the 2004 Sweet 16 for the first time since 1986. He played on the ATP Tour part-time while in college and full-time for two years from 2004 to 2006, picking up wins over several ATP top-100 competitors. Price began his career within the tennis industry at Prince Sports before joining Wilson in 2013.

He helped create 100-plus new tennis racquets and collaborated with Roger Federer and Serena Williams to design and develop their Autograph-line racquets. Price paired with his dad to capture three USTA Gold Balls and two USTA Silver Balls at national fatherson tournaments from 2000 to 2012, with the duo ranked No. 1 nationally in 2012. He served on the USTA National Pro Circuit Committee in 2013-14.

David Steinmeyer Longtime tennis coach David Steinmeyer (Jefferson City, Mo.) taught tennis for 52 years from 1956 to 2017, including a 31-year stint as a high school coach. Steinmeyer spent 23 of those years at Jefferson City High School, where his teams and players racked up state championships and produced nearly 450 dual-match victories. He became a staple in the Jefferson City tennis community and earned the nickname “Mr. Tennis” in central Missouri. His tennis-playing grandchildren who he taught throughout their standout careers simply knew their grandpa as “Coach.” Though Steinmeyer didn’t play tennis in high school or college and didn’t know much about the sport at the time, he was asked to coach the Webster Groves High School team soon after he graduated from college. After a decade at Webster Groves, Steinmeyer coached tennis and basketball at his alma mater of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In 1976, Steinmeyer took the reins as tennis head coach at Jefferson City High School, where he remained until 1998. His boys’ and girls’ teams posted a combined record of 447-107-2, a winning percentage of 80.6. The Jefferson City girls’ tennis program captured state championships in 1987 and 1993 and finished second in 1990 and ’92. Steinmeyer built up the numbers in his tennis program in part by working summers for the Jefferson City Park Board and the Jefferson City Area YMCA. After his retirement as a PE teacher, Steinmeyer taught tennis for two decades at the YMCA. The tennis courts at the YMCA were named in his honor in 2018. Steinmeyer was previously inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

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Deadline to submit USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame nominations is July 31.

Nominations are kept on file for five years and can be updated at any time. Visit usta.com for nomination criteria and form or contact Judy Dippold at dipper20@gmail.com.

USTA MISSOURI VALLEY HALL OF FAME MEMBERS 2025 Sam Fotopoulos............................ Prairie Village, Kan. Nathan Price........................................Lafayette, Calif.

David Steinmeyer............................Jefferson City, Mo.

2011 Rex Coad............................................... Wichita, Kan. James “Buddy” Fields*............................ Wichita, Kan. Janet Thomas Griffith................................ Tulsa, Okla.

Jane Pratt*.............................................. St. Louis, Mo. Kim Steinmetz......................................Florissant, Mo.

1999 David Bryant..............................Oklahoma City, Okla.

Dr. George Milton................................ Emporia, Kan. Cliff Price.................................................. Tulsa, Okla.

J. Hal Surface Jr..................................Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Steve Wilkinson*............................St. Peter, Minn.

2023 Shelley George.......................................Bradenton, Fl. Alex Lee................................................. Wichita, Kan.

2010 Charles Doughty, Jr.* ........................... Wichita, Kan. Tommy English ........................ Oklahoma City, Okla.

Paul Lockwood ................................... Norman, Okla.

James Wadley .................................... Stillwater, Okla.

2022 Mary Greef Harris*............................Kansas City, Mo. Jean Larrick.........................................Springfield, Mo. Larry Newton..........................................Omaha, Neb.

2009 Nick Taylor .......................................... Wichita, Kan. Skip Walther ...................................... Columbia, Mo. Sheldon Weiner*................................ Rock Island, Ill.

1998 W.E. Steve Broadie................................. Wichita, Kan. Dr. Donald Klotz*................................Iowa City, Iowa J.C. Louderback.............................Arkansas City, Kan. Jim Reed............................................... Winfield, Kan. S.L. Shofner........................................... Prescott, Ariz.

2021 R. Scott Hanover................................Kansas City, Mo. Alvin Penelton*.................................East St. Louis, Ill. Tara Snyder........................................... Truckee, Calif.

2008 Gayle David Bradshaw............ Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Patricia Graham*................................Kansas City, Mo. Steve Prosser............................................DeSoto, Kan. Leigh Strassner*...................................... St. Louis, Mo.

2024 Jenny Dent............................................ Grapevine, Tx. Susan True*........................................Kansas City, Mo.

2020 Daniel Apted.......................................... St. Louis, Mo. Jane Zukaitis Hines.................................Omaha, Neb. Kevin Nebergall..............................Cedar Rapids, Iowa 2019 Kilmeny Waterman Connor......... Overland Park, Kan. Craig Sandvig............................... University City, Mo. Pamela Sloan........................................Stockton, Calif.

2018 Ken D. Brown............................... Independence, Kan. Fred Johnson*....................................Kansas City, Mo. Mark Platt............................................... Clayton, Mo. Pat Purcell.............................................. St. Louis, Mo. Kim Reser...........................................Springfield, Mo. 2017 Buff Farrow............................................ Wichita, Kan. Francis P. Lemery......................... Overland Park, Kan. Richard M. Perry........................................Enid, Okla.

2016 Bob Bates...................................... Prairie Village, Kan. Mark Johnson....................................Henryetta, Okla.

Wilbur Jones......................................... Shawnee, Kan. 2015 Richard Hudlin*.................................... St. Louis, Mo. Cornelia Salmon-Robertson................ Lecompton, Kan. Mark Rosewell.......................................Maryville, Mo. Verne Weber...........................................Bellevue, Neb. 2014 Steve Gerdes............................................Omaha, Neb. Jim Klousia.........................................Springfield, Mo. Ken Veney..........................................Sydney, Australia 2013 Ron Cobb.............................................. St. Louis, Mo. Kevin Hedberg........................................ Topeka, Kan. Joe McGuire.......................................Kansas City, Mo. Doug Smith........................................... St. Louis, Mo. Bruce Vosburg*.......................................Omaha, Neb. 2012 Judy Dippold......................................... St. Louis, Mo. Micki Schillig Feldmann..................... Cedar Rapids, Iowa Edmund Serrano*.................................. St. Louis, Mo. Meredith Geiger Walton.........................Humble, Kan.

Please help us keep our list current.

If you know of a member who has passed away, please email: communications@movalley.usta.com.

2007 Barbara Fackel*................................... Rock Island, Ill. Ken Flach*.............................................. St Louis, Mo. Bob McKinley............................ College Station, Texas 2006 Dave Freeborn........................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Jay Louderback.................................. South Bend, Ind. Terry Miller.................................. Overland Park, Kan. Dave Riley*............................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Russell Warner.......................................... Tulsa, Okla.

2005 John Allen Been................................... Houston, Texas Dr. Harry Clifton Burrus*.............. Winter Haven, Fla. Jacque Croft................................. Overland Park, Kan. Richard Mechem......................... Fredericksburg, Texas Frank A. Thompson Jr.*......................... St. Louis, Mo. 2004 John Bregin........................................... Merriam, Kan. Don Dippold......................................... St. Louis, Mo. Don Gardner*........................................ Wichita, Kan. Ken Lidie*..............................................Bellevue, Neb. Su Oertel............................................... Decorah, Iowa 2003 Bill Brown.................................. Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Cliff Buchholz.................................Fort Collins, Colo.

Bob Green......................................Atlantic Beach, Fla. Nancy Pearce-Jeffett*................................ Dallas, Texas Phil Landauer..........................................Hillard, Ohio 2002 Patsy Rippy-Bond..................................... Sandy, Utah William Davis..................................... Seminole, Okla.

Ralph Hart, Jr........................................ St. Louis, Mo. Bill Rompf............................................. Newport, R.I. Mary Norwood-Rompf.......................... Newport, R.I. 2001 Junior Coen.......................................Kansas City, Mo. Dick Gilkey..........................................Edmond, Okla.

Gene Land.................................Oklahoma City, Okla.

Gerry Perry.........................................Springfield, Mo. Don McNeil...................................... Chickasha, Okla.

2000 Marilyn Mueller*................................... St. Louis, Mo. Louis Gerdes*..........................................Omaha, Neb. Ollie Gresham........................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Homer Robinson*..................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Dr. Bryce Young.............................. Hilton Head, S.C. Judy Levering.................................. Hilton Head, S.C.

1997 Lucien Barbour*.................................... Winfield, Kan. Frank Ward............................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Anna Guerrant.........................................Gilbert, Ariz.

Dick Johnson*..........................................Ballwin, Mo. Nora Prosser.......................................... Merriam, Kan. 1996 Harold "Buck" Balzer............................... Buhler, Kan. Justina Bricka......................................... St. Louis, Mo. Kate Cushing*........................................... Tulsa, Okla.

Ted Drewes*........................................... St. Louis, Mo. Phillip L. Edwards.................................. St. Louis, Mo. 1995 Jodie H. Adams...................................Springfield, Mo. Carol Hanks Aucamp............................. St. Louis, Mo. Mary Ann Eisel Beattie........................... St. Louis, Mo. 1994 Wray Brown*......................................... St. Louis, Mo. Earl "Butch" Buchholz Jr. .............................St. Louis, Mo. Beverly K. Buckley........................... Des Moines, Iowa Joy Rodenberg.........................................Lincoln, Neb. Mervyn Webster*................................... Wichita, Kan. 1993 C.J. Hixon................................................ Tulsa, Okla.

Wally Smith......................................Ponca City, Okla.

Dave Snyder.......................................Kingwood, Texas 1992 Jack Buss*......................................... Des Moines, Iowa Lucile Davidson............................. Independence, Mo. Ed Doane.................................................Tustin, Calif.

1991 Clarence Dyer........................................ Durant, Okla.

Ward Parker Family................................ St. Louis, Mo. Tom McSpadden................................Muskogee, Okla.

1990 Francis Baxter*.....................................Edmond, Okla.

Earl H. Buchholz Sr.*................................Sedalia, Mo. Charles D. Cunningham........................... Tulsa, Okla.

Bill Price................................................. St. Louis, Mo. Len Prosser............................................ Merriam, Kan. 1989 Gerald Perry*......................................Springfield, Mo. 1988 D. Keedy Campbell............................Kansas City, Mo. Harris Coggeshall*........................... Des Moines, Iowa Marvin P. Richmond*...........................Leawood, Kan. T.H. "Curly" Vaughan*......................... Winfield, Kan. 1986 Dwight F. Davis*.................................... St. Louis, Mo. Charles McKinley*................................. St. Louis, Mo. *Deceased

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2025 AWARD WINNERS

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Adult Player of the Year, 3.5 & Below

Adult Player of the Year, 4.0 & Above

Outstanding Contributor USTA League Tennis Program

Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament

Angela Reckelhoff Troy, Illinois

Matthew Suddarth St. Louis, Missouri

Shalla Powell-Mandigo Lincoln, Nebraska

USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic North Kansas City, Missouri

Outstanding Junior Tournament

Outstanding Official

Junior High Performance Player of the Year (Female)

Junior High Performance Player of the Year (Male)

Level 2 - Kansas City, Missouri (Scott Hanover, TD)

Tracey Johnson Kansas City, Kansas

Angela Chen St. Louis, Missouri

Shaan Patel St. Louis, Missouri

Junior Emerging Player of the Year (Female)

Junior Emerging Player of the Year (Male)

Tennis Family of the Year

Outstanding Contributor Youth High Performance

Emma Chen St. Louis, Missouri

Luke Upthegrove Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Fleming Family Robins, Iowa

Kaey-Den Tan Wichita, Kansas

High School Coach of the Year

Outstanding Community Tennis Association

Outstanding Contributor Youth Tennis

Facility of the Year

Kelly Stahlhuth St. Louis, Missouri

East St. Louis Community Tennis Association East St. Louis, Illinois

Eva Castiglioni Wichita, Kansas

Vetta Sports Sunset St. Louis, Missouri

2025 AWARD WINNERS Member Organization of the Year

Outstanding Diversity Achievement

Distinguished Service

The Greens Country Club Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Krishna Bhadriraju Tulsa, Oklahoma

Doug Smith St. Louis, Missouri

President’s Award Brenton Kuchera

Click here to view the Facebook photo album.

JUNIOR SPORTSMANSHIP Boys 12s

Boys 14s

Tyden McMullin Overland Park, Kansas

Alexander Walton St. Charles, Missouri

Boys 16s

Sento Lawuary St. Louis, Missouri

Calvin Werner Warrensburg, Missouri

Girls 12s

Girls 14s

Girls 14s

Girls 16s

Girls 18s

Lily Ospino Overland Park, Kansas

London Evans Manchester, Missouri

Kynsey Smith Kansas City, Missouri

Shree Nidhi Sikkal Kumar Chesterfield, Missouri

Natalie Haug Festus, Missouri

For full awards history, please visit usta.com and click on USTA Missouri Valley History.

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2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

USTA National 3rd place

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18 & Over 2.5 Women: Oklahoma Captain: Hendrix

18 & Over 3.0 Men: Oklahoma Captains: Ellis /Ahmad

18 & Over 3.0 Women: Oklahoma Captain: Hendrix

18 & Over 3.5 Men: Oklahoma Captains: Lang / Cantrell

18 & Over 3.5 Women: Missouri Captain: Bohl

18 & Over 4.0 Men: Heart of America Captain: Heintzelman

18 & Over 4.0 Women: Nebraska Captain: Banks / Thielen

18 & Over 4.5 Men: Oklahoma Captain: Robinson / McLaughlin

2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

18 & Over 4.5 Women: St. Louis Captain: Spencer

18 & Over 5.0 Men: Heart of America Captain: Knoflicek

18 & Over 5.0 Women: Heart of America Captain: Gifford

18 & Over 6.0 Mixed: Iowa Captains: Zhen / Keshwani

18 & Over 7.0 Mixed: Oklahoma Captain: Patel

18 & Over 8.0 Mixed: Nebraska Captains: Hunt / Spisak

18 & Over 9.0 Mixed: Kansas Captain: Loomis

40 & Over 3.0 Men: Oklahoma Captains: Wyatt / Sides

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2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

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40 & Over 3.0 Women: Heart of America Captain: Andrew

40 & Over 3.5 Men: St. Louis Captain: Rhoads

40 & Over 3.5 Women: Nebraska Captain: Blake

40 & Over 4.0 Men: Oklahoma Captains: Cue / Day

40 & Over 4.0 Women: Oklahoma Captains: Wilson / McRae

40 & Over 4.5 Men: Oklahoma Captains: Towler / Tims

40 & Over 4.5 Women: Heart of America Captain: Norman

40 & Over 6.0 Mixed: Oklahoma Captains: Schmidt / Dickason

2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

40 & Over 7.0 Mixed: Missouri Captain: Rollins

40 & Over 8.0 Mixed: Iowa Captains: Despotovich / Shipp

40 & Over 9.0 Mixed: Nebraska Captains: Allison / Wyse

55 & Over 6.0 Men: Oklahoma Captain: Dudley

55 & Over 6.0 Women: St. Louis Captain: Albrecht

55 & Over 7.0 Men: Kansas Captains: Wanless / Shipp

USTA National 3rd place 55 & Over 7.0 Women: Oklahoma Captains: Casey / Pascale

55 & Over 8.0 Men: Nebraska Captain: Thomas

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2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

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55 & Over 8.0 Women: Nebraska Captain: Bourland

55 & Over 9.0 Men: Heart of America Captains: Allen / Knoflicek

55 & Over 9.0 Women: Oklahoma Captain: Lassman

55 & Over 6.0 Mixed: St. Louis Captain: Taylor

55 & Over 7.0 Mixed: Nebraska Captains: Blake / Penland

55 & Over 8.0 Mixed: Oklahoma Captain: Ogle

55 & Over 9.0 Mixed: Iowa Captain: DiLeo

65 & Over 6.0 Men: Kansas Captain: Wanless

2025 LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONS

USTA National 4th place 65 & Over 6.0 Women: St. Louis Captain: Albrecht

65 & Over 7.0 Men: Oklahoma Captain: Long

65 & Over 7.0 Women: Oklahoma Captains: Pascale / Fitzpatrick

65 & Over 8.0 Men: Oklahoma Captain: Pritchard

65 & Over 8.0 Women: Nebraska Captains: Martin / Winquest

65 & Over 9.0 Men: St. Louis Captain: Freeman

Low-Tri Women: Heart of America Captain: Fendler

Mid-Tri Women: Heart of America Captain: Norman

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High-Tri Women: Iowa Captains: Madsen / Morgan

Low-Tri Men: Oklahoma Captains: Phipps / Day

USTA National Champions Mid-Tri Men: Heart of America Captain: Willis

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High-Tri Men: Kansas Captain: Wegner / Jones

Spring 2026

Table of Contents

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

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Your feedback is welcomed.

USTA Missouri Valley 4121 W 83rd Street I Suite 108 Prairie Village, Kansas 66208

usta.com info@movalley.usta.com

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

CONTRIBUTORS Manon Eilts

Managing Director, Marketing, Communications & Membership

Andrea Gallagher Digital Assistant

Sydney Hamilton Digital Assistant

Abby Lunsford

Digital Content Producer

CHELSIE BROWN

FEATURES

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Victoria Moore

Digital Content Producer Graphic Designer

Josh Sellmeyer

Digital Content Producer

David Smale

Digital Assistant For questions about your USTA membership, please contact USTA Customer Care at 800-990-USTA or customercare.usta.com

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46 48

2026 EVENTS AND MEETINGS 2026 TOURNAMENTS CHELSIE BROWN: Kansas high school champion wins bronze in Deaflympics

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

53 54

RALLY IN THE VALLEY: Get primed for the 2026 tournament 2026 PRO CIRCUITS: Find an opportunity to watch or play in your district

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JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS: A new competition team experience for 2026

Testimonials from the success of 2025

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WHEELCHAIR TENNIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY: Celebrate the impact of wheelchair tennis in USTA Missouri Valley

NET NOTES: News and highlights from around the section

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A YEAR IN PHOTOS: Reminisce on tennis from 2025

TENNIS VENUE SERVICES:

SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

2026 EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Date

USTA Annual Meeting

March 26-29

USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship

April 16-18

USTA Missouri Valley Semi-Annual Board Meeting

April 16

Prairie Village, Kansas

USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic

April 24-26

Kansas City, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Heartland Wheelchair Challenge

April 24-26

Lincoln, Nebraska

USTA MV Adult 5’s, 0’s & Open

May 15-17

O’Fallon, Illinois

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

May 22-24

St. Louis, Missouri

North American Indian Tennis Association Tournament

May 22-24

Tulsa, Oklahoma

ITF 30K Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of May 25

Wichita, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open Indoor Championship

May 29-31

Des Moines, Iowa

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #3

May 30-June 1

Multiple Locations

USTA MV Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open

June 5-7

Tulsa, Oklahoma

USTA MV Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open

June 5-7

Wichita, Kansas

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of June 8

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L3 #1 - Rally in the Valley

June 11-14

Edmond, Oklahoma

USTA Missouri Valley League 65 & Over Section Invitational

June 11-14

Overland Park, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 Family Championship

June 19-21

Fremont, Nebraska

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of June 16

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Section Adaptive Championship & ALL Stars Adaptive Event

June 12-14

Topeka, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

July 10-12

St. Louis, Missouri

ITF 100K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of July 13

Lincoln, Nebraska

USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open

July 14-15

Topeka, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship I

July 17-19

Chesterfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #4

July 18-20

Multiple Locations

L2 St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Championships

July 24-26

Chesterfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

July 24-26

Des Moines, Iowa

USTA MV L2 Intersectional: Battle of the Mississippi

July 24-26

Edmond, Oklahoma

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

Week of July 27

Edwardsville, Illinois

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship II

July 31-August 2

Topeka, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 5’s, 0’s & Open Outdoor Championship

August 7-9

Moline, Illinois

USTA Husband & Wife Indoor Open & Combo Age Divisions

August 7-9

Overland Park, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship III

August 14-16

Springfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

August 21-23

Springfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship IV & V

August 28-30

Multiple Locations

US Open Championships

August 31-September 13

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open Indoor Championship

September 4-6

Overland Park, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L3 Team Closed

September 5-7

Multiple Locations

USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship I

September 11-13

Topeka, Kansas

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

September 18-20

Springfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship II

September 25-27

Kansas City, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Fall Invitational

October 3-4

St. Joseph, Missouri

USTA Men’s 80, 85, 90, 95 Indoors

October 8-11

Overland Park, Kansas

USTA Men’s and Women’s 45s (S-D-X) Indoors

October 9-11

Overland Park, Kansas

ITF 100K Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of October 12

USTA MV Indoor L4 #5

October 24-26

ITF 30K Men’s and Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of October 26

Norman, Oklahoma

ITF 30K Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of November 2

Stillwater, Oklahoma

USTA MV Indoor L4 Team Dom Duo

November 7-8

Multiple Locations

ITF 15K Women’s Pro Circuit

Week of November 9

Lincoln, Nebraska

USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference

December 3-5

SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

Location Orlando, Florida Fort Worth, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

New York City

Edmond, Oklahoma Multiple Locations

Olathe, Kansas

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ADULTS

Adult 5’s, O’s & Open Section Tournament May 15-17 St. Clair Tennis - O’Fallon, Illinois Tournament ID: 26-07250

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament July 24-26 LifeTime Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa Tournament ID: 26-30083

40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament May 22-24 Dwight Davis Tennis Center - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-75699

Adult 5’s, O’s & Open Section Tournament August 7-9 Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois Tournament ID: 26-83012

55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament May 29 - May 31 LifeTime Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa Tournament ID: 26-34306

40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament August 21-23 Cooper Tennis Complex Springfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-12972

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament June 5-7 LaFortune/Case Tennis Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-02571 55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament June 5-7 Riverside Tennis Complex - Wichita, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-70718 Family Championship Section Tournament June 19-21 Fremont High School - Fremont, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-56949 40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament July 10-12 Dwight Davis Tennis Center - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-55417

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament September 4-6 Overland Park Racquet Club Overland Park, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-52124 55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament September 18-20 Cooper Tennis Complex Springfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-69342 Tennis On Campus Fall Invite October 3-4 Noyes Tennis Center - St. Joseph, Missouri

Scan the QR code or visit playtennis.usta.com/tournaments to findHERE one near CLICK TOyou!

LEARN

MORE ABOUT 2026 ADULT TOURNAMENTS! 40

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JUNIORS USTA MV Outdoor L5 #3

April 25-27 BG12-14 - Topeka, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-96548 BG16-18 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-75415 Deadline to register: April 15

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #4

May 23-25 BG12-14 - Wichita, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-92834 BG16-18 - Topeka, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-64622 Deadline to register: May 13

USTA MV L4 #3

May 30-June 1 BG12-14 - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-32555 BG16-18 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-01367 Deadline to register: May 20

USTA MV FLIGHTED L5 #1

June 20-22 BG12-14 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-68796 BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-52547 Deadline to register: June 10

USTA MV L5 TEAM #1

July 10-12 BG12-14 - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-72284 BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-91719 Deadline to register: July 1

USTA MV Outdoor L4 Open #4

July 18-20 BG12-14 - Omaha, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-08295 BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-18923 Deadline to register: July 8

L2 Battle of the Mississippi, BG12-18

June 6-8 BG12-14 - Springfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-52386 BG16-18 - Fremont, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-55401 Deadline to register: May 27

July 24-26 BG12-14 - Midland, Michigan Tournament ID: 26-31303 BG16 - Minneapolis, Minnesota Tournament ID: 26-18740 BG18 - Edmond, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-62282 Deadline to register: July 8

USTA MV Outdoor L3 Closed #1

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #6

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #5

June 11-14 BG12-18 - Edmond, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-76197 Deadline to register: June 3

July 25-27 BG12-18 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-55733 Deadline to register: July 15

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 JUNIOR TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE!

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SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS 65 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 Section Invitational June 11-14, 2026 Overland Park Racquet Club Overland Park, Kansas Hosted by USTA Heart of America

Adults 40 & Over Men & Women 3.0, 4.0 August 28-30, 2026 Oklahoma City Tennis Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Hosted by USTA Oklahoma

Adults 55 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 July 17-19, 2026 Vetta West, Frontenac, & Forest Lake St. Louis, Missouri Hosted by USTA St. Louis

Mixed 18 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 September 11-13, 2026 Kossover Tennis Center Topeka, Kansas Hosted by USTA Kansas

Adults 18 & Over 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 July 31 - August 2, 2026 Kossover Tennis Complex Topeka, Kansas Hosted by USTA Kansas Adults 18 & Over 2.5 (W), 3.5, 4.5 August 14-16, 2026 Cooper Tennis Complex Springfield, Missouri Hosted by USTA Missouri Adults 40 & Over Men & Women 3.5, 4.5 August 28-30, 2026 Cooper Tennis Complex Springfield, Missouri Hosted by USTA Missouri

2026 COLOR WARS 42

Mixed 40 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 September 25-27, 2026 Plaza Tennis Center Kansas City, Missouri Hosted by USTA Heart of America 18 & Over Tri-Level Invitational January 8-10, 2027* Overland Park Racquet Club Overland Park, Kansas Hosted by USTA Heart of America Mixed 55 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 Invitational January 22-24, 2027* TBA

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION

SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

WHEELCHAIR

CLINICS AND TOURNAMENTS

HEART OF AMERICA

OKLAHOMA

USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic April 24-26 Northland Racquet Club Kansas City, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-20981

Tulsa Center Twisters Wheelchair Tennis Classic April 18 Case Tennis Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-06166

Beginner Wheelchair Tennis Clinics Monthly Elite Tennis & Wellness - Overland Park, Kansas

IOWA Iowa Tennis 4u Tennis Clinics April-September Crossroads Park - West Des Moines, Iowa Quad Cities Adaptive Sports Association Junior Wheelchair Clinic April 12 Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois Quad Cities Adaptive Sports Association Wheelchair Tennis Tournament June 19-21 Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois

NEBRASKA Nebraska Wheelchair Tennis Clinics Youth, June 4-August 13 Adults, year-round Woods Tennis Center - Lincoln, Nebraska

Route 66 Center Twisters Wheelchair Tennis Classic August 8 Phillcrest Country Club - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa Center Twisters All-Comers Camp October 16-18 LaFortune Park/ Case Tennis Center Tulsa, Oklahoma

ST. LOUIS St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Championships July 24-26 Chesterfield Athletic Club Chesterfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-69000 PUSH Wheelchair Tennis Clinics Saturdays, year-round Chesterfield Athletic Club Chesterfield, Missouri

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF WHEELCHAIR TOURNAMENTS, CLINICS AND CLASSES!

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Click here to review the timeline of wheelchair tennis in USTA Missouri Valley!

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Become an Official Grow the game of tennis through Officiating. Officials play an integral role at tournaments at all levels from local community events to professional events by ensuring fair play and sportsmanship.

OUR USTA OFFICIALS: Complete Online Education Are USTA Safe Play Compliant Are USTA Members Have 20/20 Vision Complete On-Court Training and Training Checklist

JOIN OUR TEAM

Questions? Please email officiating@usta.com 50

SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

HALL OF FAME

NOMINATIONS Click here to learn more about how to nominate for USTA Missouri Valley’s Hall of Fame!

Nominations for the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame close July 31 annually.

SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

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When coaches thrive, tennis thrives USTA Coaching offers a connected, inclusive community with the benefits, services, and education to help you stay at the top of your game, on and off the court.

No matter your coaching role today or in the future, you belong here.

© 2025 USTA. All rights reserved.

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USTA

PROPRO CIRCUITS CIRCUITS The USTA Pro Circuit provides players with an opportunity to gain the professional ranking points they need to compete on the major pro tours. The USTA Pro Circuit is the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world.

There are seven men’s and five women’s USTA Pro Circuit tournaments being held in the section this year. Get up close and personal with the up-and-coming pros, right in our own backyard!

2026

MEN’S PRO CIRCUITS Stillwater Men’s $25K: 5/18-24 | Dustin Taylor Wichita Tennis Open Men’s $30K: 6/8-14 | Kate Foss & MCB Foundation Tulsa Men’s $30K: 6/16-22 | Russell Warner & Philcrest Lincoln Men’s $100K: 7/13-19 | ATP Event - Alex Guthrie Edwardsville Futures Men’s $30K: 7/27-8/2 | Dave Lipe & EGHM Foundation Stillwater Men’s $25K: 5/19-25 | Dustin Taylor Norman Men’s $30K: 10/26-11/1 | Dawna Johnson & University of Oklahoma

WOMEN’S PRO CIRCUITS Wichita Tennis Open Women’s $30K: 5/25-31 | Kate Foss & MCB Foundation Edmond Women’s $100K: 10/12-18 | David Minihan & Edmond Center Court Norman Women’s $30K: 10/26-11/1 | Dawna Johnson & University of Oklahoma Stillwater Women’s $30K: 11/2-8 | Dustin Taylor Lincoln Women’s $15K: 11/9-15 | German Dalmalgro

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USTA MISSOURI VALLEY 6 202 JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS OPEN A NEW CO MP ET IT IO N T EA M EX P E RI EN C E FOR 20 26

N o Q ual i fy i ng . N o B a r r ie r s. Ju st J un i o r T e a m Te n nis .

A b r an d-n e w c om pe t i t i ve t ea m e ve n t t h a t b r in g s te a m s t o ge th e r f r o m a cr o s s t h e s ec ti on t o com pe t e , c onne ct , an d h a ve fun - w h il e e m p h a s iz i ng sp o r tsm a nsh i p , t e a m sp iri t, a nd pl a ye r de vel o p men t w i th i n th e U S T A M i sso u ri Va l l ey f r a m e w o rk .

This e ven t re pl ac es p re v i o u s Qu a l if i e rs & S ec ti o n C h a mp i o nsh i p AL L T E AM S A R E W E L CO M E !

E V E NT DA T E S : J U L Y 14 - 1 5 , 2 0 2 6 Tu e s d a y - W ed n e sd a y

L OCAT IO N K os so ver Ten n i s Cen ter Topeka , K an s as

TEAM R EGIS TR AT I ON DEADLI NE Ju l y 7 , 2 026 @ 11: 59 pm (ES T)

THINGS TO KNOW: A ge Di vi si o n s Of f er ed : 12 U G re e n B a ll , 14U Cha mp ion ship and 18U Cha mp i o ns hi p Te a m Co mp o si t io n : Te ams mus t co nsist of a minimum of t w o b o y s a nd two gi r l s , a nd o n e S a f eP la y a p pr o v ed T e a m Co a ch or Ma na ger Q ual i fi ca tio n s : Al l p l a y e rs mus t b e a ge el igib le; P la y ers should not e xce ed the a ge l imi t f o r the i r d i v is io n b y t he las t d a y of the mo nth in which the ev ent begi ns.

P l a y er s mus t b e regis t er ed in Te nn isLink wi th a n e ligib le tea m tha t me e ts a l l ev e n t r e q uir eme n t s .

P l a y er s/t e ams mus t co mp le t e registra tion prio r to the e sta bl i she d de a dl in e .

P l a y er mus t fa ll w it hin t he d e sign ate d WTN ba n d (min 40 a nd ma x 10) P l a y er s mus t b e a U S T A memb e r in good sta n din g a t the time o f re gi str a ti o n a n d t hro ugho ut t he ev en t .

F i nd ou t m o re a n d r eg i ste r y o u r te m ffo o r t h e U ST o uurrii V a l l e y t e aam S T A M is i s sso Ju nii o r T e a m T en n i s O p e n to J un e nn t o d ay a y!!

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Jessica Reineke - USTA Oklahoma

Jessica Reineke is a Junior Team Tennis coach at the Britton Christian Church Tennis Academy and has been coaching for 10+ years. Every season, her program draws an impressive turnout, and in most seasons she leads the state of Oklahoma with the highest number of players. In 2025 alone, Jessica coached 13 teams with 137 players registered, a testament to the strong community she has built and her dedication to junior tennis.

Year after year, her program continues to grow and thrive, consistently delivering outstanding participation and enthusiasm.

Sam Lhotak - USTA St. Louis

Sam Lhotak is the Head Coach for USTA Junior Team Tennis at Vetta Concord in the St. Louis, Missouri area and is also associated with Kirkwood High School. With over 10 years of coaching experience, Sam has played a key role in developing junior players across a wide range of ages and abilities, currently coaching athletes from 10U through 18U. His long-standing commitment to junior tennis and player development has made a lasting impact on both his teams and the broader tennis community.

Francisca Nyarko - USTA Heart of America

Francisca Nyarko runs the USTA Junior Team Tennis program at Genesis Overland Park, where she consistently manages eight teams each season of JTT play, serving over 100 players at a time. She does an excellent job communicating with players and parents while coordinating courts and weekly matches throughout the league season. Francisca brings passion, energy, and a sense of fun to the game, creating a positive and engaging experience for all the players involved.

GET INVOLVED WITH JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS Click here to register your team for the USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open!

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THREE NAMED CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS

BY NATIONAL PUBLICATION USTA Missouri Valley was well represented in RSI’s 2025 Champions of Tennis with three individuals/facilities being recognized. Congratulations to Lisa Minihan on receiving the Tennis Industry Service Award, Overland Park Racquet Club for being named the Private/Commercial Facility of the Year and Bunny Bruning for being named the RSPA Member of the Year.

NET NOTES - NEWS NEAR YOU

Bunny Bruning

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ADULT AND JUNIOR SUPERSPORT WINNERS ANNOUNCED USTA Missouri Valley’s SuperSport initiative returns for its third year.

The 2026 grand prize winners are Brandi Goldapp and Teddy Tang!

Lisa Minihan

Overland Park Racquet Club

JUNIOR PLAYER COUNCIL BEGINS ITS 2026 TERM The USTA Missouri Valley Junior Player Council was established to offer a small number of junior competitors the opportunity to meet virtually as a Panel with the USTA Missouri Valley Junior Competition staff and discuss various topics centered around the tournament and competition experience.

Feedback provided in these virtual meetings will be shared with the USTA Missouri Valley Junior Play panel. The panel is a 1-year term.

2026 Junior Player Council Hannah Barki Vihaan Gangala Christopher Long

London Marsh Molly McDermed Avi Patel Ella Wang

JUNIOR TENNIS TALKS Junior Tennis Talks - college tennis: Beth and Caitee are continuing their Junior Tennis Talks on the USTA Missouri Valley YouTube Channel! January started off strong as the two of them talked with David Mullins, the CEO of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), about navigating the college pathway.

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Adult players who participate in a minimum of three USTA Missouri Valley adult tournaments (Level 4-7) receive an e-gift card to the USTA Missouri Valley online store. Gold level player Phillip Tongier is the winner of a USTA Missouri Valley gift package.

Silver Level (5-6 tournaments) Gold Level (7+ tournaments)

Kevin Cue Ronda Hillermann Sunny Jerrim James Lorenzen Matthew Maddern Matthew Mandeville Eleazar Morales Shaundra North Michelle Novak Neil Schmitz Phillip Tongier

Pam Bangtson David Coleman Ruben Cojocaru Patricia Mercadé González Jennifer Hebert Jeff Jackson Caleb Nielsen Angela Reckelhoff Quinn Robinson Thomas Ross Jeffrey Traigle Clint VanValkenburgh Garrett Ward

Bronze Level (3-4 tournaments)

Briana Bostick Tom Bostick Ozzy Bravo Joel Fagin David Hash Taka Higuchi Laura Hunt Jan-Michael Jansen Becky Johnson Chris Long Dana Metzger Tami Murphy Nicholas Petaros Tony Regier Brian Selby Justin Stachnik Sarah Wedick

ADULT TOURNAMENT SERIES RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR The USTA Missouri Valley Valley Cup is a new prize-money series consisting of seven district-level (Level 5) tournaments offered throughout USTA Missouri Valley. The series provides open-level players the opportunity to win prize money as they play their way through the USTA Missouri Valley adult tournament calendar. This prize-money series is open to USTA Missouri Valley residents.

Gabi Fleming and Erik Weiler!

USTA COACHING WORKSHOPS USTA Coaching is starting to roll out workshops with some taking place in USTA Missouri Valley. Click here to learn more about local workshops in 2026.

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Read the full articles for these and other stories on usta.com.

Congratulations again to our inaugural winners:

NET NOTES - NEWS NEAR YOU

2025 TOURNAMENT TRAILBLAZERS

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Left and below: Players enjoyed a foam party during the 2025 Fred Johnson ALL Stars event at Edmond Center Court.

2025:: Year in Photos 2025

Right: Edmond Center Court hosted the Adaptive Qualifier event in June. Players from around the section enjoyed competing for a chance to advance to Nationals.

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Right and above: May was National Tennis Month and Hit to be Fit Day was a success over at the Plaza Tennis Center!

Above: It was all smiles at the Plaza Tennis Center for Hit To Be Fit Day this past May!

Take a look back on 2025 through our Year in Review video

Left and above: Lots of smiles could be seen on court throughout our league championship season.

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o!

Below: The 2025 Women Leaders in Sports National Convention took place in Kansas City with many of our staff in attendance!

Above: The team energy was strong during the Junior Team Tennis Section Championship at Edmond Center Court in July.

Above: This year for National Tennis Month, some of the marketing team went to local courts to surprise some lucky players with tennis-inspired gifts.

Left and below: Players represented their colleges with pride at the Tennis On Campus Championships in March and Fall Invite in October.

Above: The section hosted two All Comers Camps and multiple tournaments including the Heartland Wheelchair Classic in Kansas City and L2 Wheelchair Indoor Championships in St. Louis, bringing in wheelchair players across the country.

Right: Over Memorial Day weekend, the North American Indian Tennis Association hosted their annual tennis tournament accompanied by a clinic at Oklahoma City Tennis Center.

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REDBALLTENNIS.COM

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! CONNECT WITH US FOR OUR LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES on Facebook @ustamissourivalley

on Instagram @ustamovalley

on X @ustamovalley

on YouTube @mvusta

on LinkedIn @ustamissourivalley

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District Inserts

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2026 Junior Team Tennis Scan the QR code to get started!

Winter Session: January 17 – March 1 Team Registration Due: January 2 Player Registration Due: January 9

PLAY AS A

Spring Session: April 4 – May 10 Team Registration Due: March 20 Player Registration Due: March 27

Summer Session: June 3 – July 14 Team Registration Due: May 15 Player Registration Due: May 22

Te am

GROW AS A

Fall Session: September 12 – October 18 Team Registration Due: August 28 Player Registration Due: September 4

P l aye r

Questions? Contact Rebecca Falkner Axelrod: ustaheartofamerica@gmail.com

Divisions of Play (Non-Advancing League) 10/U – Coed Orange Ball 12/U – Coed Green Ball 14/U – Coed Yellow Ball 18/U – Coed Yellow Ball SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

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RECRUITING GIRLS INTO SPORTS

(CHANGING THE CULTURE FOR MORE SUCCESS)

USTA Iowa and the U.S. Soccer Foundation are partnering to bring a unique presentation titled "Recruiting Girls Into Sports." This presentation focuses on recruiting girls into sports by increasing opportunities, providing female coach-mentors, and creating inclusive environments in underserved communities.

The program aims to combat the high drop-out rate on sports by addressing barriers to participation through grants, new strategies, specialized training, and community-based programs.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT TO ATTEND.

The same presentation will be made at three different cities and dates to help with your availablity: Location 1: Cedar Rapids, IA, Sunday, March 22 at the Elmcrest Country Club, 1 Zach Johnson Dr. NE 52402 Location 2: Ames, IA, Sunday, April 19 at the Ames Fitness Center South, 3600 University Blvd. 50010 Location 3: Moline, IL, Sunday, June 7 at the Quad City Tennis Club, 1522 47th Ave. 61265 The presentation is made up of two different segments but the same in all three locations: Segment A

9:30 - 9:50 am check in 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Recruiting Girls Into Sports

sit down lecture with Q & A

~ presented by U.S. Soccer Foundation Segment B

Questions - Call John Terpkosh at 816-780-1047 with USTA Iowa

12:00 - 12:30 pm Box Lunch free lunch if you're staying for Segment B presentations ~ presented by Musco Lighting 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Red Ball Tennis presentation - new team sport for girls ages 7, 8, & 9, grants available ~ presented by USTA Missouri Valley, Junior Team Play Division ~ new Red Ball Tennis programs will start beginning summer 2026, RBT runs for 6 weeks 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Red Ball Tennis Coaching/Training presentation on court activity - wear tennis shoes ~ presented by Bunny Bruning, Women Coaching Racquet Sports ~ Bunny is a RSPA Master Professonal, USTA MV and USTA Iowa Hall of Famer 2:30 pm dismissal

Who should register and attend this presentation: > supervisors or recreation programmers from local park & recreation departments, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, indoor tennis clubs, community tennis associations and sports related organizations, wanting new strategies to grow programs > Organizations, instructors, and coaches looking to add a new team sport offering for young girls this summer > women or high school age girls (age 15 or above) wanting to learn to coach or help mentor a low level team sport Organizations sponsoring or partnering the series of presentations: USTA Iowa

U.S. Soccer Foundation

Musco Lighting

Adaptive Sports Iowa

Women Coaching Racquet Sports

How do you register to reserve my space BEFORE MARCH 10TH (deadline): Call John Terpkosh with USTA Iowa at 816-780-1047 to register by phone or email to USTAIowa SPC@gmail.com Organization name:___________________________________________________ Phone #:_______________________ Address:__________________________________________________City:________________________Zip:__________ PRINT Name of Individual attending:_______________________________________________ Registration PRINT Email:____________________________________________________________ deadline is March 10 Which location I will attend: _____1 Cedar Rapids 3/22 _____2 Ames 4/19 _____3 Moline 6/7 USTA Iowa Which segment(s) I will attend: ______Segment A (Recruiting Girls Into Sports presentation) ______ Segment B* (lunch, Red Ball, Coaching/Mentoring presentations) *to go to Segment B you must also attend Segment A

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Start Date End Date

Location

City

Level

Tourney ID

Grundy Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Gr. Island Tennis Center Gr. Island Tennis Center Grundy Tennis Center Omaha Genesis Gr. Island Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Gr. Island Tennis Center Omaha Genesis Gr. Island Tennis Center Omaha Genesis Ryder Park Omaha Genesis Fremont Tennis Complex Scottsbluff High School Fremont Tennis Complex Harmon Park Scottsbluff High School

Kearney Lincoln Gr. Island Gr. Island Kearney Omaha Gr. Island Lincoln Lincoln Gr. Island Omaha Gr. Island Omaha Gr. Island Omaha Fremont Scottsbluff Fremont Kearney Scottsbluff

Darren Emerick Kaitlin Roselius Josh Budler Josh Budler Troy Saulsbury Michael Johnson Josh Budler Kaitlin Roselius Kaitlin Roselius Josh Budler Michael Johnson Josh Budler Michael Johnson Josh Budler Michael Johnson Justin Bigsby Darren Emerick Justin Bigsby Troy Saulsbury Darren Emerick

Level 6 Level 6 Jr. Circuit Level 7 Level 5 Level 5 Level 7 Level 4 Jr. Circuit Level 7 Level 6 Jr. Circuit Level 6 Level 6 Level 6 Level 6 Level 7 Level 5 Level 6 Level 6

26-89177 26-23065 26-79012 26-26539 26-39412 26-06231 26-09965 26-93919 26-51301 26-67699 26-16677 26-91678 26-11415 26-51795 26-91880

6/13/2026 6/13/2026 WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Bellevue #1

Bellevue HS

Bellevue

Larry Newton

WTN

6/13/2026

Omaha Genesis

Omaha

Michael Johnson

Level 6

6/20/2026 6/20/2026 WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Bellevue #2

Bellevue HS

Bellevue

Larry Newton

WTN

6/19/2026 6/20-/2026 6/23/2026

Scottsbluff High School Woods Tennis Center Cody Park

Scottsbluff Lincoln N.Platte

Darren Emerick Kaitlin Roselius Darren Emerick

Level 6 Level 6 Level 6

6/27/2026 6/27/2026 WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Bellevue #3

Bellevue HS

Bellevue

Larry Newton

WTN

6/27/2026 6/30/2026 7/7/2026

6/28/2026 Level 6 - USTA NE BG 12-18 Kearney Harmon Park 7/1/2026 Level 6 - Nebraska ITT Team Tournament 7/8/2026 Level 6 - Nebraska ITT Team Championship

Harmon Park Fremont Tennis Complex Harmon Park

Kearney Fremont Kearney

Troy Saulsbury Darren Emerick Darren Emerick

Level 6 Level 6 Level 6

7/9/2026

7/9/2026 WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Kearney #1

Harmon Park

Kearney

Troy Saulsbury

WTN

7/9/2026 7/9/2026

7/9/2026 7/9/2026

Harmon Park Harmon Park

Kearney Kearney

Troy Saulsbury Troy Saulsbury

Jr. Circuit Jr. Circuit

1/2/2026 1/2/2026 1/24/2026 1/24/2026 1/31/2026 1/31/2026 2/7/2026 2/14/2026 2/22/2026 2/22/2026 3/13/2026 4/4/2026 4/10/2026 5/9/2026 5/29/2026 5/30/2026 6/2/2026 6/6/2026 6/6/2026 6/9/2026

1/3/2026 1/4/2026 1/24/2026 1/24/2026 2/1/2026 2/1/2026 2/8/2026 2/16/2026 2/22/2026 2/22/2026 3/13/2026 4/4/2026 4/10/2026 5/10/2026 5/29/2026 5/31/2026 6/2/2026 6/8/2026 6/7/2026 6/9/2026

Tournament Name Level 6 - Winter Indoor Team Tennis Tournament Level 6 - USTA NE BG12-18 USTA NE - Grand Island BG 10, 12-18 #1 USTA NE - Grand Island BG 12-18 L7 #1 Level 5 Closed- USTA MV B18 Level 5 Closed - USTA MV B12 USTA NE - Grand Island BG 12 L6 #1 Level 4 Open - USTA MV B16 #2 NE Woods BG10 Orange & Green USTA NE - Grand Island BG 12-18 L7 #2 Level 6 - Genesis Compass Draw B14-16 USTA NE - GI COED 10U Orange, 12U Green, 18U Yellow Level 6 - Genesis Compass Draw B16-18 Level 6 - Grand Island BG 12-18 L6 #2 Level 6 - BG16 Summer Kickoff Level 6 - USTA NE BG12-18 Fremont #1 Level 7 - Panhandle Junior Open Level 5 Open - USTA MV BG16-18 Level 6 - BG12-18 Kearney Junior Open Level 6 - Panhandle Varsity Open

6/14/2026 Level 6 - Genesis/ Summer Six #1 BG14-18 6/20/2026 Flatwater Dynamic Duo Tournament 6/21/2026 Level 6 - USTA NE BG12-18 6/24/2026 Level 6 - Western NE ITT Team Tournament

USTA Jr. Circuit - USTA NE 10U Orange & Green Singles USTA Jr. Circuit - USTA NE 10U Orange, 12U Green, 14U-18U Yellow Doubles

Tournament Director

26-69659 26-55401 26-43294 26-51149 26-46290 26-16048 26-23960 26-89269 26-19506 26-89429 26-19973 26-58347 26-27045

7/11/2026 7/11/2026 WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Bellevue #4

Bellevue HS

Bellevue

Larry Newton

WTN

7/11/2026 7/14/2026 7/17/2026 7/18/2026 7/18/2026 7/18/2026 7/25/2026 7/27/2026 7/31/2026 8/1/2026

7/12/2026 7/16/2026 7/17/2026 7/18/2026 7/20/2026 7/19/2026 7/26/2026 7/28/2026 8/2/2026 8/2/2026

Level 6 - USTA NE BG12-18 Fremont #2 NE BG12-18 Cornhusker State Games NE BG 10U Orange & Green Cornhusker State Games USTA NE BG10 Orange & Green #2 Level 4 Open - USTA BG12-14 Level 6 - USTA NE Siouxland Junior Classic Level 6 - Genesis/CSM Compass BG12-18 Twilight Team Tennis Tournament Level 5 Open - USTA BG16-18 Dom Duo Level 6 - USTA NE BG12-18 Fremont #3

Fremont Tennis Complex Woods Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Bellevue West HS Koch Tennis Center Mason Tennis Complex Omaha Genesis Gering High School Koch Tennis Center Fremont Tennis Complex

Fremont Lincoln Lincoln Bellevue Omaha S.Sioux City Omaha Gering Omaha Fremont

Justin Bigsby Kaitlin Roselius Kaitlin Roselius Larry Newton Tracy Wright Isabelle Wostoupal Michael Johnson Darren Emerick Tracy Wright Justin Bigsby

Level 6 Unsanctioned Unsanctioned Jr. Circuit Level 4 Level 6 Level 6 Unsanctioned Level 5 Level 6

8/9/2026

8/9/2026

WTN Play 4 B/G12/14-18 Bellevue #5

Bellevue HS

Bellevue

Larry Newton

WTN

Omaha Genesis Bellevue West HS Ryder Park Woods Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Ryder Park Woods Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Koch Tennis Center Woods Tennis Center Omaha Genesis Woods Tennis Center Gr. Island Tennis Center Grundy Tennis Center Gr. Island Tennis Center

Omaha Bellevue Gr. Island Lincoln Lincoln Gr. Island Lincoln Lincoln Omaha Lincoln Omaha Lincoln Gr. Island Kearney Gr. Island

Michael Johnson Larry Newton Josh Budler Kaitlin Roselius Kaitlin Roselius Josh Budler Kaitlin Roselius Kaitlin Roselius Tracy Wright Kaitlin Roselius Michael Johnson Kaitlin Roselius Josh Budler Troy Saulsbury Josh Budler

Level 6 Jr. Circuit Level 7 Level 7 Jr. Circuit Jr. Circuit Level 7 Jr. Circuit Level 3 Level 6 Level 4 Level 4 Level 7 Level 5 Level 6

8/8/2026 8/9/2026 Level 6 - Genesis/CSM Compass BG12-18 8/15/2026 8/15/2026 USTA NE BG10 Orange & Green #3 8/15/2026 8/15/2026 Level 7 - USTA NE B12-14/G12-18 #3 8/16/2026 8/16/2026 Level 7 - USTA NE B12-14/G12-18 8/16/2026 8/16/2026 NE Woods BG10 Orange & Green 9/5/2026 9/5/2026 NE Gr.Island BG10 Orange & Green, G12-18 9/6/2026 9/6/2026 Level 7 - USTA NE B12-14/G12-18 9/6/2026 9/6/2026 USTA Jr. Circuit - USTA NE 10U Orange & Green 9/12/2026 9/14/2026 Level 3 Open - USTA MV BG12 9/19/2026 9/20/2026 Level 6 - USTA NE B12-14/G12-18 10/24/2026 10/26/2026 Level 4 Open - USTA MV G12 11/7/2026 11/8/2026 Level 4 Closed - USTA MV Indoor Team G16 11/7/2026 11/7/2026 Level 7 - USTA NE BG12-18 11/14/2026 11/16/2026 Level 5 Closed - USTA MV B16 12/5/2026 12/6/2026 Level 6 - USTA NE BG 12-18 GI

26-33659 26-08338 26-08295 26-22298 26-24324 26-34032 26-92533

26-14015 26-14010 26-42926 26-45715 26-11247 26-49078 26-86978 26-08402 26-51744 26-09216 26-49418 26-93445 26-82391 26-11363 Updated 11/11/2025

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ADULT TENNIS We have something for everyone!

• Leagues

18 & Over • 40 & Over • 55 & Over • 65 & Over Men’s • Women’s • Mixed NTRP Rating Levels from 2.5 to 5.0

• Tournaments One Night Events • Multi-day Events Competitive • Social • Fund-raisers

• Social Play Set Mix ’n Chill (for 40 & Under) • Red Ball Community Programs • & More!

play tennis

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CONTACT US for more info SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

Follow us on Facebook @USTASTL

JUNIOR TENNIS Beginning—Intermediate—Advanced We have a place for everyone, no one sits on the sidelines!

Learn more about our programs:

• Junior Pathway • Junior Team Tennis • Junior Circuits • Junior Tournaments

play tennis CONTACT US Follow us on Facebook for more info @USTASTL SPRING SERVE 2026 USTA.COM/MISSOURIVALLEY

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