2011 Summer CrossCourt

RALLYING IN RWANDA

USTA grant dollars help teach conservation students tennis SUMMER OF TENNIS

Pull out calendar inside!

MEET TIM KUNKEL

Learn how you can help volunteer for Missouri Valley

2010 SHOW ME CUP CHAMPIONS 2010 WTT CHAMPIONS

Schedule

2011 Home Schedule

2011 Home Schedule

July 7 vs. Sacramento Capitals July8 vs. Newport Breakers July 10 vs. Boston Lobsters July 14 vs. Sacramento Capitals (Bryan Brothers) July 16 vs. New York Sportimes (Bryan Brothers) July 17 vs. Springfield Lasers July 20 vs. St. Louis Aces (Mark Philippousis) Season Tickets on Sale Now! 816-513-5630 www.kcexplorers.com

July 6 vs. Sacramento Capitals (Lindsay Davenport) July 7 vs. Newport Beach Breakers (Lindsay Davenport) July 9 vs. Philadelphia Freedoms 2011 Home Schedule (Anna Kornikova and Lindsay Davenport) July 4 vs. Philadelphia Freedoms July 10 vs. Springfield Lasers July 6 vs. Newpoert Beach Breakers (Lindsay Davenport) July 8 vs. Washington Kastles July 13 vs. Sacramento Capitals July 9 vs. Kansas City Explorers (Lindsay Davenport) July 13 vs. Boston Lobsters July 19 vs. Newpoer Beach Breakers July 16 vs. Philadelphis Freedoms (Lindsay Davenport) (Melanie Oudin) July 21 vs. Kansas City Explorers July 19 vs. Sacramento Capitals (Mark Philippousis and Lindsay Davenport) Season Tickets on Sale Now! Season Tickets on Sale Now! 417-837-5800 314-647-ACES www.springfieldlasers.com www.stlouisaces.com

USTA Members receive ticket discounts! See details at missourivalley.usta.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO

ChampionSeriesTennis.com

1 missourivalley.usta.com Summer 2010

The USTA Missouri Valley publishes CrossCourt quarterly, focusing specifically on the members and events in the section. All material copyright USTA Missouri Valley, unless otherwise noted. This is our 24th issue of CrossCourt, and fourth in the sixth volume.

Summer 2011 9

CrossCourt 7

Your feedback is welcome.

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

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missourivalley.usta.com crosscourt@movalley.usta.com

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

3 BRIANNA LIU (913) 322-4801 Fax Scott Hanover President Mary Buschmann Executive Director Manon Eilts Marketing Communications Director Anna Quisenberry Public Relations and Graphic Design Coordinator Eli Gieryna Digital Media Coordinator

For issues with your USTA membership, please contact USTA Member Services at 1-800-990-USTA, or visit the Membership Center at www.usta.com/membership.

CrossCourt is mailed to every household with at least one member.

If you would like additional copies for your facility, please contact CrossCourt at the address above.

The summer tennis camp scholarship winner shares what she hopes to learn at camp and how she hope it will get her one step closer to becoming the next Caroline Wozniacki.

4 NET NOTES

Get the latest news from all around the Missouri Valley section

5 SUMMER CALENDAR

Check out all the events happening this summer in the USTA Missouri Valley. Use this handy pull out calendar to stay up to date with all the tournaments and events.

9 10 AND UNDER TIPS

Get the latest tips and trends for organizing 10 and Under Tennis play. Local tennis pros and tournament directors discuss what worked for them and what they will skip next time.

10 TIM KUNKEL

On the court with Tim Kunkel the new Misouri Valley Volunteer Committee Chair. Read about his goals for the section and how he witnessed the epic Davis Cup match between Matts Wilander and John McEnroe.

ON THE COVER

7 BRINGING TENNIS TO RWANDA

Julie Ghrist uses USTA grant money to bring tennis to her Art of Conservation students in Rwanda.

Summer 2010 missourivalley.usta.com 2

theSERVE

Brianna

with

Liu

Q: When did you start playing tennis?

A: When I was 6 years old.

Q: How did you first get started playing tennis?

A: My family traveled to many tournaments for my brother David. I was able to watch him and I enjoyed it a lot, which inspired me to start hitting around.

Q: What’s the best part about playing tennis?

A: I really enjoying traveling for tournaments and getting the chance to see different places and make new friends.

MEMBERSHIP OFFER

Q: What are you hoping to learn or gain from attending tennis camp this summer?

A: Learn what camp is all about and what is taught there. Also, to play a lot tennis and most importantly have fun!

Q: What is your best tennis memory?

A: When I got to travel to Tulsa for a tournament and when I first met my new doubles partner.

Q: What do you always carry in your tennis bag?

A: I always carry a jump rope, towels, a hat, sunscreen and healthy snacks for the court.

Q: Who is you favorite tennis player, and why?

A: Caroline Waziacki, she is very consistent and has good speedshe is a champion!

Q: What other sports do you play?

A: Soccer, swimming, rock climbing and gymnastics.

Q: Do you have any special talents?

A: I play piano and at school I participate in student council - I’m a great fundrasier.

Q: If it’s Saturday afternoon, what are you typically doing?

A: Chinese school or playing tennis.

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Net Notes

News and upcoming events from around the Missouri Valley The U.S. quad wheelchair tennis team of Nick Taylor, 31, of Wichita, Kan., David Wagner, 37, of Hillsboro, Ore., and Bryan Barten, 37, of Tucson, Ariz., led the U.S. to the 2011 World Team Cup title, defeating Israel 2-1 in the final. The U.S. quad team defeated Israel in the World Team Cup final for the second consecutive year. It was also the team’s seventh World Team Cup crown. The nation’s top wheelchair tennis players competed against participants from around the globe, April 25–May 1, on the hard courts of the University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa.

Sunset Hills Parks and Recreation received a $50,000 grant under the USTA’s Public Facility Assistance program and $15,000 from the Missouri Valley to reconstruct the courts at Watson Trails Park that were damaged in a New Years Eve tornado.

The Oklahoma City Tennis Center hosted the 34th Annual North American Indian Championships May 27-30. Players from around the country compete each year at these championships. Check the Missouri Valley website for a recap and results from the tournament.

In the opening rubber, Israeli No. 2 Noam Gershony upset world No. 4 Taylor 6-3, 6-2, to give Israel the early lead. The U.S. then leveled the match when world No. 1 Wagner needed just 63 minutes to beat Shraga Weinberg 6-3, 6-3. In the deciding doubles rubber, Wagner and Taylor, who are Paralympic gold medal winners, defeated Gershony and Boaz Kramer 6-2, 6-0, to capture the title for the U.S. Former Tulsa University star, Aenau Brugues-Davi held off Dimitar Kutrovsky of Bulgaria to win the first-ever USTA/Jackie Cooper BMW Oklahoma Open Sunday afternoon at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. In a close final match, Kutrovsky stretched Brugues-Davi in the first set, but eventually fell 7-5. At that point, BruguesDavi began to roll and easily won the second set 6-1 to clinch the tournament title. This was the first year for the event and the first men’s professional tennis event in Oklahoma City since the 2002 Davis Cup.

The Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis was named the 2010 Racquet Sports Industry Pubic Park of the Year. DDTC is located in Forest Park and is home to the World TeamTennis Pro League's St. Louis Aces. The center is complete with 19 courts and a 1,700 seat stadium and host many USTA, college and high school events.

The University of Iowa became the seventh different champion in seven years at the Missouri Valley Tennis on Campus section championships, held March 5-6 at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri. Four teams from the section qualified for the national championships: Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Tennis on Campus Nationals took place on April 7-9 in Cary, NC. Beyond the four teams that qualified at the section championship Drury University and St. Louis University also competed at the tournament as wildcards. The Missouri Valley teams has a great showing at the tournament and the University of Missouri made section history by placing 13th out of 64 teams.

HAVE NEWS?

If you have a news items that may be worthy of “Net Notes”, e-mail crosscourt@movalley.usta.com or mail us at CrossCourt, 6400 West 95th Street - Suite 102, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.

Summer 2010 missourivalley.usta.com 4

2011 Summer Events in the MONDAY

TUESDAY

JUNE 7

JUNE 14

BG10-18 USTA MV Super 2 Omaha, NE

JUNE 21

JUNE 28

JUNE 8

JUNE 15

JUNE 22 US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament Norman, OK

JUNE 29

JUNE 2

JUNE 9

JUNE 16

JUNE 23 US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament Norman, OK

JUNE 30

JUNE 3

JUNE 10

JUNE 17

JUNE 24

US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament Norman, OK Missouri Valley Adult NTRP and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK BG12-18 USTA MV Futures Wichita, KS

USTA Wheelchair Tennis Training Westfield Tennis Center Cedar Rapids, IA BG12-18 USTA MV Futures St. Louis, MO BG10-18 USTA MV Sweet 16 Kansas City, MO

BG10-18 USTA MV Super 2 Omaha, NE

USTA National Women’s 65,75,85 Indoor Championships Midtown Athletic Club USTA National Women’s USTA National Women’s 65,75,85 Indoor Championships 65,75,85 Indoor Championships Overland Park, KS Midtown Athletic Club Midtown Athletic Club BG 10-18 USTA MV Super 1 Overland Park, KS Overland Park, KS St. Louis, MO Adult 0s and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK

JUNE 1

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

USTA MISSOURI VALLEY

SUNDAY

JUNE 6

BG12-18 USTA MV Futures St. Louis, MO

BG 10-18 USTA MV Super 1 St. Louis, MO

Got to missourivalley.usata.com to find the latest events in your area!

JUNE 5

JUNE 13

BG10-18 USTA MV Super 2 Omaha, NE

USTA National Women’s 65,75,85 Indoor Championships BG 10-18 USTA MV Super 1 Midtown Athletic Club St. Louis, MO Overland Park, KS BG 10-18 USTA MV Super 1 St. Louis, MO Adult 0s and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK

JUNE 12

BG10-18 USTA MV Super 2 Omaha, NE

BG12-18 USTA MV Futures St. Louis, MO

BG10-18 USTA MV Sweet 16 Kansas City, MO

JUNE 20

BG10-18 USTA MV Sweet 16 Kansas City, MO

JUNE 27

JUNE 19

JUNE 26

US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament BG12-18 USTA MV Futures Norman, OK Wichita, KS Missouri Valley Adult NTRP and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK BG12-18 USTA MV Futures Wichita, KS

SATURDAY

JUNE 4

USTA National Women’s 65,75,85 Indoor Championships Midtown Athletic Club Overland Park, KS BG 10-18 USTA MV Super 1 St. Louis, MO Adult 0s and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK

JUNE 11

BG10-18 USTA MV Super 2 Omaha, NE

JUNE 18

BG12-18 USTA MV Futures St. Louis, MO

BG10-18 USTA MV Sweet 16 Kansas City, MO

JUNE 25

US Open National Playoffs Missouri Valley Qualifying Tournament Norman, OK Missouri Valley Adult NTRP and Open Outdoor Championship Okalahoma City Tennis Center Okalahoma City, OK BG12-18 USTA MV Futures Wichita, KS

RALLYING IN RWANDA

by Jackie Linclon

All photos courtsey of Julie Ghrist

A

by Stephanie Johns in her the importance of respecting the s a child, Julie Ghrist’s parents instilled

environment, being active, having fun and creating her own opportunities.

Julie, born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, comes from an active family of six with two sisters and one brother. Growing up, she enjoyed a childhood full of sports, music, art, and animals. Her parents provided many opportunities for her and her siblings to experience the world around them.

The tennis court next-door to their home provided an accessible and fun opportunity for Julie and her siblings to play tennis with family and friends while growing up. Throughout her childhood, Julie continued to play tennis at summer clinics at Wakonda Country Club, during summer camp in Wisconsin and on family vacations (where the Ghrists always took their racquets).

“I never really wanted to be in competitions; I just loved hitting the ball and running around the court. When I was in college at Drake University, I began taking lessons again with Bunny Bruning,” she said, “After college, my brother and sister and I lived in Boston and when we got home from work, we'd get our dogs and tennis racquets and race out to the suburbs to play tennis. I have many fun memories.”

Julie’s other interests -- mainly her passion for wildlife conservation -- led her to Africa in 2005 where she volunteered for various conservation and wildlife programs.

“I felt a sense of urgency to be fully immersed in the effort of protecting wild animals and their habitat. My research began by speaking with a lot of people involved in conservation and attending lectures. Finally, I set off with my backpack for Africa in the spring of 2005 with pre-arranged volunteer positions.”

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Julie volunteered in Zambia for Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, in Kenya for Earthwatch Institute, in Cameroon for the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund and in Rwanda for the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.

“After I completed the volunteer positions, I knew I wanted to stay in Africa and saw a deficit of a truly up-close, personal, and thorough approach to conservation education. Experts were doing excellent work in the forests, in wild animal vet care, and more, but there wasn’t a program with a focus on the future caretakers of the forest and mountain gorillas. This is where I saw a need to work with the Rwandan children. This is where I thought I could be most effective. “ In 2006, working under the umbrella of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Julie’s own organization, Art of Conservation was born. AoC began by offering three-monthlong conservation education courses for adults and children living in communities near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The Art of Conservation project filed for 501(c) 3 status in the United States and applied for INGO certification in Rwanda. In late 2008, AoC began operating as an independent organization with its focus on conservation education programs with primary school students.

The children have learned about the various aspects of The mission of the Art of Conservation is to provide health tennis and tennis rules as well as learning English through education programs for children attending primary school in “Let’s Play Tennis! A Guide for Parents and Kids” books rural communities bordering Rwanda’s Volcanoes National donated. The books, written by Patricia Egart, use cartoon Park as well as combat deforestation in the mountain gorilla illustrations to help parents and children understand the habitat. The ultimate goal is to teach Rwandans about the game of tennis. Julie’s order of 25 books was matched by importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both an additional 25 books. The children, whose first language people and animals as well as is Kinyarwanda, bring the books respecting themselves, their “A few days later when walking home, their tennis clinics and work to peers and the environment. we saw one child standing near my home to improve their English along with While living in Rwanda and with a homemade tennis racquets made their tennis skills. running AoC, Julie found it from a stick, a plastic bucket lid for the Over the past few years both difficult to find solitude in the population-dense Rwanda. Sports head of the racket, and some kind of wire AoC and the AoC-sponsored Children's Tennis Team have and exercise had always played for strings. That’s when it all started.” developed and expanded. a role in her life and Julie used AoC now offers its year-long course to 200 students physical activity to stay fit and relieve stress. attending Rushubi and Nyange primary schools. AoC runs Looking for an escape from her hectic routine, Julie day-long conservation workshops at six other primary schools remembered seeing two beat-up clay courts within walking located near Volcanoes National Park. AoC also started distance of the house she rented. working with adults from a community in Kinigi, helping them “I went there and, miraculously, Coach Tony [Rwandan to start up a small business making and selling alternative fuel tennis instructor Antoine Musengimana] shows up and we briquettes with the goal of reducing the use of charcoal and started hitting. I felt much better getting exercise. After help Rwandans to generate more income. awhile, the neighborhood kids started following me to the The Art of Conservation now hosts the "Sports for Gorillas courts every time I went.”

Children’s Tennis Tournament" in Musanze at the district While her mother and sister were visiting they went to the tennis courts. The competitors are members of the AoCtennis courts. Julie’s mother noticed the little kids hanging sponsored children's tennis team. Coach Tony umpires the outside the fence and invited them to join in and hold a matches, with players matched racquet. by skill level.

“A few days later when walking Julie hopes that from her home, we saw one child standing work with both the AoC and the near my home with a homemade establishment of the NJTL in tennis racquets made from a stick, Rwanda that the kids benefit, but a plastic bucket lid for the head of not just on the court. the racket, and some kind of wire for “I hope the kids see a bright strings. That’s when it all started.” future to work towards, learn Julie’s family friend Andy Susanin etiquette on and off the court, and former coach Bunny Bruning teamwork, strength, honesty, started donating tennis equipment. sportsmanship, see that it’s OK Some equipment was shipped and to win and lose. Competition is when Julie would travel to Des part of life; it makes you improve Moines, she would return with duffle and try harder next time. The bags full of tennis gear. importance of taking care of On a later trip home, Julie was their bodies, protecting themselves from early pregnancy approached by Bruning and John Terpkosh, USTA Missouri and STDs, and having fun, feeling confident and proud of Valley Iowa Tennis Service Representative, who told her themselves.” about National Junior Tennis and Learning and setting up a Julie’s efforts, along with the generosity of donors and the Community Tennis Association. Terpkosh offered to register USTA, have established an amazing opportunity for youth AoC and to seek grant money for her tennis work in Rwanda. in the Musanze District of Rwanda. Julie’s wish is that when Through combined efforts and USTA grants, the AoCshe must move on from Rwanda that the program will stay sponsored children's tennis team was established. The running and become self-sustainable. program is comprised of 15 young people between ages “It would be completely amazing to have a coach come and 10 and 16 who live near AoC's headquarters in Musanze, spend time with Coach Tony and the kids. We could always Rwanda. use more equipment. It is my goal that Coach Tony will build a Grant money from the USTA has provided court larger clientele and be self-sustainable. But it is very difficult.” rehabilitation, fencing and compensation for the local tennis pro, Coach Tony, as well as a USTA banner, tennis racquets, tennis balls, strings, grips, rules of conduct books, pens, For more information on the AoC and the AoC tennis ball key chains, a large metal ball holder on wheels.

Children’s Tennis Team or to donate please visit the Bunny also continues to donate plenty of equipment, which AoC website at www.art-of-conservation.com or the Ghrist transports back and forth, including high-altitude AoC blog at www.artforgorillas.wildlifedirect.org. tennis balls accidentally sent to her, but suitable for play in Rwanda.

For more information or to order “Let’s Play Tennis!

In an effort to get the children fitted for tennis shoes, the A Guide for Parents and Kids” please visit www. children outlined their feet on butcher paper and mailed it to andyacetennis.com. The book is also available at most Bunny in Iowa who then matched the outlines to shoes that retailers including Barnes and Noble and Amazon. would fit the children appropriately.

Summer 2010 missourivalley.usta.com 8

TAKING 10 AND UNDER TENNIS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

9 missourivalley.usta.com Summer 2010

[Q+A]

TIM

ON THE COURT WITH...

KUNKEL Q: When and how did you first get started playing tennis?

A: I started playing tennis at the age of 10 in Dayton, Ohio. My parents played recreationally, so I went with them often and hit the ball around too. At one point, I met another kid Jeff (also age 10) who played with his dad at the same public park. Jeff and I started playing on a regular basis and became best friends. We followed the major tennis tournaments together and even competed against each other in a few junior singles tournaments.

Q: How have you progressed in tennis since you first started playing?

A: Once I got the tennis “bug”, there was no stopping me. In my teens, I just couldn’t get enough. I played whenever I could, and hit against anything wood, brick or stone if I didn’t have anyone to play against.

I joined a junior development program and played in a few junior tournaments with moderate success. I also played 1-2 singles and doubles for Mehlville High School in St. Louis. I attend the University of Missouri – Rolla and played for the Miner tennis team, where I played mostly 1 or 2 doubles. Out of college I played on a few USTA teams in St. Louis and went to sectionals in 1994. I continued to play competitively off and on for the next 5-6 years – both in St. Louis and Kansas City. I have been playing again on a regular basis (3-4 times a week) since 2007, including two USTA teams. I still play both singles and doubles and enjoy them both fairly equally.

Q: What is your best tennis memory and/or accomplishment?

A: There really are quite a few, but two definitely stand out. The 1st was attending a Tennis Camp at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in 1982, where we had the opportunity to watch the Davis Cup match between Matts Wilander and John McEnroe. It turned out to be an incredible/epic match that stands today as the longest Davis Cup match in history. McEnroe won in 5 sets, where they played a total of 79 games to decide the match. And, probably the most satisfying was winning my first 4.0 singles match after being away from tennis for 5-6 years. It meant a lot that I had “come back” and could play competitively again and really compelled me to again dedicate my energy to tennis.

Q: How did you first get involved with the USTA Missouri Valley?

A: I was first involved with the USTA Missouri Valley about 30 years ago as a junior player. However, more recently, I have been involved with and really committed to the USTA Missouri Valley the last 4 years as an adult player and captain. Since then, I have really tried to support tennis at all levels, including USTA events and volunteering as I could. The USTA Missouri Valley is a great USTA organization with wonderful people who love the game of tennis and are always looking for ways to make everyone’s experience top notch.

Q: How did you hear about and obtain the Volunteer Committee Chair position with USTA MV? A: I actually heard about the opportunity through Facebook. I had recently “friended” a few individuals that I really only knew through tennis, but wanted to stay in touch with because of tennis. I had been actively looking for a way to become more involved in tennis and the USTA. When the Volunteer Committee Chair position was posted, I felt it was a great opportunity to help the USTA and to build deeper connections with the overall tennis community within the Missouri Valley.

Q: What are some of your main goals as Volunteer Committee Chair?

A: • Volunteer Recruiting – Identifying new volunteers, including those that are interested for specific positions, causes and events.

• Volunteer Events – Publishing a calendar of events to provide better visibility and planning for events that need volunteers.

• Volunteer Recognition – Ensuring that the USTA Missouri Valley recognizes and properly rewards exceptional volunteers.

Q: Do you have any good stories about any of your past volunteer experiences?

A: Volunteering as a ball boy for the 2010 US Wheelchair Championships at Dwight Davis in St. Louis. The highlight was working the women's semi-final match and witnessing the match where Esther Vergeer continued her undefeated streak. Amazing and inspirational!

Q: Why should people consider volunteering with the USTA MV? A: Volunteering for the USTA Missouri Valley is a great way to help others and to help support and grow the game of tennis. When you volunteer for the USTA Missouri Valley, you’ll have opportunities to meet new people, put your unique talents and time to use for tennis, and often times for even greater causes that are bigger than tennis and yourself.

Q: How can people make tennis make a difference in the community and in their lives?

A: Tennis is community. You find tennis in public parks, in schools, and in many families. Helping support tennis events and tennis programs, helps create a healthier community and helps bring people together for fun and exercise. Everyone should look for opportunities to support formal events from the USTA MV, but also look for ways to get involved with your local community through school activities and other events where help is needed. Taking the time to volunteer at any level makes a difference for tennis, for your community and for everyone’s overall lifestyle.

Summer 2010 missourivalley.usta.com 10

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