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Home , Adam Peterson (tennis), Amber Liu (tennis), Chuck Adams, Elena Bogdan, Ernesto Escobedo, Jada Hart

92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:42 PM Page 1 SCTAwww.scta.usta.com Southernnews Association DECEMBER 2008 The B’s And C Earned A’s

Mark Winters

Gabriela Paz Franco of Venezuela in a battle of unseeded players, 7-6, 6-1, to become the first American to win the Girls’ title since Tara Snyder in 1995. (Southern Calif- ornia’s was the 1994 champion.) “I’m on cloud nine right now,” she said after the victory. “This is my first junior Mike and All Photos: cameraworkusa tournament win in the he US Open was a SoCal showcase, as International Tennis Federation, and to do it Bob and won their second at the US Open is an even greater achieve - Ttitle in New York and the sixth major ment for me. So, I’m just really happy.” of their career. Coco Vandeweghe, in only Though she lives in Rancho Santa Fe, the her third appearance in a junior Vandeweghe family has strong New Jersey event, captured her first big title. Were connections. Her family has a home there, Coco Vandeweghe grades given, the B’s and C earned A’s. and her grandparents are residents there. The twins defeated Lukas Dlouhy/ Her uncle Kiki is the General Manager of included her ever-present mother Tauna, 7-6, 7-6 in the Men’s Doubles the pro basketball team, the New Jersey who looked as if she could still swim and final. Mike said, “It feels really good to win, Nets, and the entire clan was on hand when play volleyball as she did as an intercollegiate especially in the US. This ranks as one of she performed. The Vandeweghe collection athlete at UCLA and her grandmother, our top achievements, especially playing Coleen Hutchins, a former Miss America. against those guys. The level of tennis and With an “other world dynasty” providing the crowd was spectacular. It felt like a support, Vandeweghe was asked if she was crowd out there.” given any advice, she responded that the Bob added, “We got better every match. group told her to “Smile”. We played an awesome semi (defeating She also received a wild card into the Tommy Robredo/ 6-2, 6-1). I main draw and played Jelena Jankovic in the thought we even played better today. first round. The No. 2 seed triumphed 6-3, Leander was magical, as always. In a big 6-1. When asked if before the junior com - match you know he’s always going to bring petition, she could visualize being the win - his best stuff. He was hitting some crazy ner, Vandeweghe said, “I’d probably say what shots, and Lukas was ripping away. We had I said when I found out I was playing to play our best to beat those guys.” Jankovic. ‘You got to be kidding me. You’re Vandeweghe, a wild card entry, downed Sam Querrey (continued on next page) 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:42 PM Page 2

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joking, right?” Or had to earn it; I did - majors. Of the part - something like that.” n’t just give it to him. nership, she admit - As impressive and That game, I think ted, “We first played satisfying as these he saved five or six at Pittsburg at the results were, there was a or seven break end of last year, and good deal more to the points. I was playing got to the final. We fortnight from a sec - the deuce points have played maybe tional perspective. just unbelievably, and seven events, but we Sam Querrey, who the ad points not know each other made his Grand Slam so good. It’s nice to very well and are tournament debut, know he actually very good friends.” reaching the quarterfi - had to go out there Spears pointed nals at the 2004 US and fight for it out that “we both Open Junior Boys’ rather than me played college tennis Championships, fol - handing it to him.” so we know what lowed his Beijing As always is the it’s like to have to Olympic experience, case since he turned adjust to different by playing his way into pro in June of 2006, partners. Going to the second week. Raquel Kops-Jones a group of Sam’s school gives you a “I made it to the “Samurai” provided chance to under - CBS weekend,” he said with a grin. “That encouragement in the match stand things better was the goal.” He added, “My first fourth against the Spaniard. “Four of my friends – and you can mature.” round of a major, and it’s great that it’s the Shane Poppen, Chap Way, Dan Farrugia and During the fall, they planned to play ITF US Open. It’s the one that, if I had to pick a Wes Burrows – flew out, took the red-eye Circuit events Kops-Jones said, “We are tournament to win, it would be this one. It’s last night, and they’re going back.” working on our schedules. We want to fun to play here. I had a blast on the court (In his inaugural Davis Cup match, fol- improve our singles rankings so we will play with the crowd behind me.” lowing the tournament, Querrey some $75,000s and He impressively downed Tomas Berdych – substituted for an exhausted Quebec. But, our 6-3, 6-1, 6-2; 7-6, 6-4, James Blake – was again defeated goal is to get into 4-6, 6-3; and Ivo Karlovic 7-6, 7-6, 6-2. Rafael by Nadal, when the US faced the main draw in Nadal, the top seed, brought his Open to an Spain in the semifinals. The doubles at the end 6-2, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3. After the match the game’s top player won 6-7, .” winner said, “I know him. He’s a good 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.) Wildcards Jill player, no? We know Raquel Kops-Jones/ Craybas/Eric Butorac that.” Abigail Spears were also earned “best Admitting that he brilliant defeating showing” praise. was nervous at the Yung-Jan Chan/Chia- They edged Ai start, Querrey said, “I Jung Chuang, last Sugiyama/Kevin definitely got looser as year’s finalists and Ullyett, the No. 3 the match went on. It the No. 3 seeds, 7-5, seeds, 6-4, 6-4 and was pretty windy. The 6-1 in the first round. reached the Mixed wind died down, and I Anabel Medina Doubles semifinals felt the longer the Garrigues/Virginia before Liezel Huber/ match went on, the Ruano Pascual, a wily Michael McClune side - harder and more free I tandem, slipped past lined them 6-3, 6-4. was on my forehand, the duo 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the Kaes Van’t Hof earned a doubles wild especially hitting inside Women’s Doubles quarter - card winning the NCAA title with Robert out to his forehand. I finals. It was the Cal/UCLA Farah. Unfortunately, Farah was unable to was wailing on it. My partnership’s best showing at a play so Van’t Hof teamed with Michael forehand was feeling major. McClune. The duo surprised Butorac/ really good, especially “This was pretty amazing,” Jaroslav Levinsky 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. In their sec - in the fourth set.” Spears said. She had played ond match, tour veterans / He continued, “He Grand Slam tournaments in Pavel Vizner had “one of those” days, dis - had to earn the third the past while Kops-Jones was missing the Newport Beach tandem 6-0, 6-0. set and fourth set. He Abigail Spears in her rookie year of the “I was going to sign-up originally with

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Tim Smyczek, but I was told we wouldn’t get For Lin, whose brother Eric was a in,” McClune said. “Kaes and I got together. UCLA All-American and is now an We both have big serves, hit the ball hard orthopedic surgeon specializing in and have good hands. Against Damm/Vizner the spine, it was her last match. it didn’t matter. They didn’t miss. They made “School is very important in my us play every point. We didn’t serve well. In family,” she said. “I’m planning to go fact, we returned better. We were trying to to medical school. It’s sad, I won’t grind it out, but they played too well.” get the adrenalin rush from playing Van’t Hof, the son of former NCAA sin - anymore, but I won’t miss practice.” gles winner, pro star and coach of Lindsay She continued, “I told Riza after Davenport, Robert, added his name to we lost that I was disappointed, but USC’s Open doubles success list, duplicating playing together was one of the best the first round win that Eric Amend/Byron experiences of my life. I wasn’t in Black scored in 1989 (defeating Andrei the doubles line-up at the beginning Olhovsky/Horst Skoff, 7-5, 6-3). “It was a of the year. All of a sudden, we got very weird process,” Van’t Hof said of get - Kaes Van't Hof and Riza Zalameda together and we became No. 1. ting in the draw. He went on to say, “I doubles, proved that a good doubles team Winning the NCAA Team Champ- remember coming to New York when my was better than two stars playing singles on ionship and the doubles was fantastic. To father was working with Lindsay. I was a kid a doubles court. The UCLA pair defeated have everything culminate at the U.S. Open and I got 116 autographs. It was great.” Arantxa Parra Santonja/Carla Suarez is even better.” A Finance/Accounting graduate, Van’t Navarro 6-3 6-4. Stephanie Foretz/Camille Zalameda had played in New York Pin, who defeated Lin/Zalameda in the sec - before. For Lin it was her first Grand Slam ond round 6-3, 6-3, finished on the short end tournament experience. “It was interesting of the 6-4, 7-6 score in their next match to see what goes on behind the scenes,” she against Kops-Jones/Spears. said. “The players are treated like they are Of their loss to the French duo, special. We were spoiled at UCLA because Zalameda, who is moving into the pro ranks we were treated so well. It was funny, I and actively seeking sponsorship, said, “They remember thinking, ‘Oh, they have the same were mentally tough, but they weren’t skilled things we had at school’.” at the net. We had opportunities, but didn’t Alexa Glatch was a Junior Girls’ finalist execute.” to and a doubles finalist with Vania King in 2005. That December she had a career threatening motor scooter accident. Trying to avoid a dog that had run into the street, she crashed, damaging her left wrist and right shoulder. Since then, she has struggled to get healthy. In New York, she evidenced the skill that was attention grabbing when she was num - bered among the country’s best prospects. Glatch played her way through the qualify - ing, winning three matches. In the first Bradley Klahn round, she dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Anne Keothavong in the first round. In the Hof, who played TeamTennis this past sum - process, she tweaked her back. Though mer, is concentrating on tennis now that his hampered, she teamed with Scott Lipsky in classroom days are over. “It’s a whole differ - the Mixed Doubles, and dropped a 6-3, 6-3 ent focus,” he said. “With school finished, decision to /Mahesh I’ve started working very hard on my tennis. Bhupathi. My dad has always kept things very simple. Following the match, a disheartened He has never been one to push. That’s why Glatch said she was returning to Newport I think I can do a lot better. I’ve had a chance Beach to “rehab”. to mature at my own rate.” Zalameda/Van’t Hof also played the Tracy Lin/Riza Zalameda, who also Mixed, losing a heartbreaker to Vladimira earned a wild card by winning the NCAA Julia Boserup Uhlirova/Damm 6-4, 3-6, (10-8). Travis

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Rettenmaier made his main draw debut, 6-3, 6-2 in the first beforehand that I teaming with Robby Ginepri. In a battle round. They fell to would have to work for between wildcard entries, Ginepri/ Mallory Burdette of every point. He played Rettenmaier were defeated by Amer Jackson, Georgia/Sloane well at the critical times Delic/Alex Kuzentsov 6-4, 6-7, 6-4. Stephens of Lauderdale, and got two breaks. With Julia Boserup, , Florida, 6-1, 7-5 in their That’s all it took.” Bradley Klahn and Raymond Sarmiento also next match. Being an Open veter - competing, there was more to the Juniors Boserup participated an he added, “I’m used than just Vandeweghe. in the Women’s qualifying to the atmosphere. This Gibbs, who trains with Ray Ruffles at the for the first time and said, tournament has so USTA facility at Carson, was quite disap - “Playing with the pros was much energy. You don’t pointed after dropping a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 deci - a real treat. It was a bit feel it at other events. sion to Yana Buchina of Russia. “I live in intimidating at first, but it You have to thrive on it Manhattan Beach and I go to Crossroads turned out to be fun. I got and use it to your a taste of what it was like advantage. It’s quite dif - and I enjoyed it.” ferent from Poway (his Klahn didn’t really hometown) and San enjoy his final junior Diego.” tournament. Before Dominik Schulz of heading to Stanford, Germany squeaked by where he will be a fresh - Sarmiento 7-6, 7-6 in man alongside Ryan the first round. “I knew Thacher, he was the No. Travis Rettenmaier that his forehand could 13 seed in the Boys’ singles. Tournament be a bit shaky, but he made me play,” surprise and eventual finalist Devin Sarmiento said. “My game plan was to open Britton of Jackson, Mississippi, a serve and up the court, but he served well when he volley qualifier who has spent the last needed to. I thought I could get back into the two and a half years at Bollettieri’s and is match when he got nervous after having a big Raymond Sarmiento going to Mississippi in January, was 6-4, lead, but it didn’t happen.” School,” she said. 6-3 better in the third round. As is always the case with youngsters, After the Open, she explained that “This is the fourth time I’ve played here, being around the pros is eye opening. she would take a month off and re-eval - but I was still nervous,” Klahn said. “There’s “This was a great experience,” Sarmiento uate where she was going with tennis. added pressure playing a Grand Slam tour - said. “The atmosphere is amazing. The The New York experience was a bit nament. I played Devin before so I knew highlight was seeing the pros practice, overwhelming, but she really enjoyed how they train. They don’t waste any meeting all the players. time. That’s what I need to do. I need to After losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to Nastassya be more like them.” Burnett of Italy, Boserup talked about Thanks to the ingenuity of former USTA returning to Southern California. For the Board Member John Korff, Scout Bassett past several years, she has been spending also made her Open debut. Korff, a won - time locally and at Bollettieri’s. Here, she derfully successful businessman whose works with Pete Fischer and Robert company organizes the Nautica New York Landsdorp. Having played pro circuit City and the Toyota US Open Triathlons, events as an amateur, she plans to look at had seen Bassett and Kelly Bruno compete all the possibilities available to her when in his events. Because he is a visionary, he considering whether to turn pro. She has - thought it was time for physically chal - n’t ruled out college, but wants to test the lenged athletes to work at the Open. Bruno waters in the pros again before making a served as a ball person and Bassett, a UCLA decision. sophomore and a World Triathlon champi - Saying she was going to concentrate on on, was a court attendant. the doubles for the rest of her stay in New Having played Junior Varsity tennis as a York, Boserup did exactly that, joining high school sophomore and junior, Bassett Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, NJ said, “I knew a little bit about the event prior to upset the top seeds Elena Bogdan of to going there. I had watched quite a bit of Romania/Elena Chernyakova of Russia Nicole Gibbs the US Open in the past, and knew that the

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Open was the biggest event in tennis.” . Asked if there was anything that . surprised her she said, “No not real - . Family Hall Exhibit ly, but I found the players’ idiosyn - . . Mark Winters

crasies to be intriguing.” As far as her .

fondest memory, “I will always re- . nnually, the International Tennis Hall of Fame stages an member and cherish all the incredi - . A exhibit at the gallery beneath Louis Armstrong ble people that I had the privilege of . Stadium. Families were the focus of this year’s show. Among meeting and working with.” . those featured were the Amritrajs, Austins, Bryans, Dents, Would she do it again, “Yes, .

. Suttons/Bundys/Cheneys/Doegs and Williams’. absolutely!” she said enthusiastically. . “Tracy was able to get some time off from her television

Lindsay Davenport, making her . work,” John Austin said. “Doug and his wife Brooke came to

17 th appearance in New York, would . the Open for the first time. Pam and I were there, and Jeff

also like to do it again. The trouble is, . flew in. It was really great for all five of us to get together. the 1998 Women’s champion, and . Though our parents weren’t in New York, it was the first 1992 Girls’ singles and doubles (with . time we were together since we won the USTA Family of ) winner, has been . the Year Award in 2005.” . struggling with right knee problems . Panels courtesy of the

since Wimbledon. Clearly off her . International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Newport, Rhode Island

game and struggling with her serve, .

on a gusty night with a 55 minute . rain-delay, she lost a third round con - . test to 6-1, 7-6 that . Scout Bassett left everyone asking, “Is this the end?” . Photo: USOpen.org .

“I just never felt comfortable out .

there,” she said. ‘Then I was trying so hard to get back in the .

second, was able to do that, and then played one of the .

worst games of my career at 5-5. I gave myself more of a . chance, clawed my way through not playing great, making it . competitive. I had all the momen - . . tum. Saving match point, coming AUSTIN . AMRITRAJ

back and breaking her and just .

giving it right back to her. .

“I gave myself a chance out .

there, but once my serve left me, . I didn’t have a lot of confidence to . go up after it and I think that . . translated into my groundies in .

the tie-break. My game’s not .

about just making balls in or get - .

ting serves in, and I felt like that’s .

what I had to do. I felt like I was . behind the 8 ball a little bit.” . BRYAN DENT She concluded, “I think it’s . .

tough to make any kind of deci - .

sion in a rash moment. There was .

no decision made before the .

tournament, so I don’t think it’s . time to make a certain statement . now.” . There is hope that Davenport, . .

like all the others from Southern .

California, will back in 2009 to .

participant in another record set - . SUTTON, BUNDY, CHENEY, DOEG WILLIAMS

ting US Open. .

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Tennis Is A Family Thing

Mark Winters

s memorable as winning the NCAA symptoms mentioned. “Everyone who partici - doubles title with Bruce Nichols in The doctor put me on pated was very positive,” 1978, and the Wimbledon mixed a drug (I’m currently Austin said. “Derrick who I dAoubles with his on a new one.), that saw grow up at the Kramer sister, Tracy in helped, but there was Club is, at least, ten years 1980, nothing will a period of adjust - younger than I am. He came top the week ment. Once a month, I John Austin, Holt, up and we talked about my before Christmas receive an infusion Bill Scanlon and Eliot Teltscher situation for an hour. I was in 2006 for John Austin. That’s when the that takes 45 minutes. blown away. personable former UCLA star was told My last MRI indicated that the lesions “Wayne Bryan was so great, he was he had MS. “It was my Christmas present,” (The medical term for the damage.) had there the whole time. he said good-naturedly. not gotten worse.” People, like Chuck Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which Admitting that his life “has been a quest” Adams, I hadn’t seen the myelin (a fatty substance ever since the diagnosis, Austin in years. It was fantas - which covers the axons of was at UCLA on a Saturday in tic that so many nerve cells and is important mid-October to participate in turned up. When I for proper nerve conduc - an MS fund-raiser that was was playing, Mike tion) degenerates. organized by Chris Ojakian, Cahill’s wife got MS. I Jennifer and “I had been having prob - whose company Ojakian remember him telling Taylor Dent lems for about two years,” Tennis has the motto – “No me that people who Austin recalled. “I was always Derrick Rostagno matter what your tennis goals he thought would step up often did. Others, and Wayne Bryan tired and had trouble getting are, we will get you there.” though, forgot his name because he couldn’t through a day, let alone teaching a full lesson. Since Ojakian’s father, brother and sister, play any more or hit with them.” I had trouble tracking the ball. Not to brag, have MS, it’s easy to understand why he Austin added, “I was a little bit surprised. but when I played, I had a great service organized the activi - I contacted people and return. All of a sudden, I couldn’t do it any - ty that included a they said, ‘If you need more. It was like I had become a 3.0 player. Friday night red-car - help, I’m there.’ That was I also had some balance issues, and I had a pet dinner at the really cool. I was a little couple of falls.” Toluca Lake Tennis nervous, but it went so Realizing that he wasn’t simply getting Club and the chil - well. Chris made a hard older, (He turned 51 on July 31 st .), but “there dren and adult tennis thing look easy, (and he is was something wrong”, Austin did what clinics, as well as the looking forward to doing most everyone in a similar situation would pro-am the next day, the fundraiser again next do – he went to the doctor. Initially, it was at the Los Angeles year). It proves that ten - an eye specialist; then it was on to his physi - Tennis Center. Cory Fiene of sponsor Raymond Weil, nis is a family.” cian. Nothing was discovered until an MRI “When I talked Katrina Adams, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Katrina Adams teamed and Chris Ojakian Photo: Iran Daniel pointed to MS. with Chris, he said with Sendhil Ramamurthy “Because all that was happening, I had there were going to be a lot of pros of “Heroes” fame to win the pro-am. “He turned inward and became depressed,” he involved,” Austin, who lives in Arizona, was a very good junior in Texas,” Ojakian said. “I had a great teaching job and walked said. “ said. “Texas wanted him to play there, but he away from it. I was questioning myself, and it Truth be known, Ojakian understated decided to go to Tufts and study drama. He made my marriage to my what actually happened. is one of the leads on “Heroes”.” wife Karen very difficult.” Besides John Austin, Tracy Ojakian concluded, “We want to make Things changed when he Austin Holt, Phil and Taylor this an annual event. This year, we had pretty learned what it really was Dent, Chuck Adams, Derrick good sponsor support. Looking ahead, not that was taking place. “I went Rostagno, Bill Scanlon, Eliot only do we want to raise money but we also on the internet and read Teltscher, want to raise awareness. We don’t want everything I could,” Austin Shaffer, Katrina Adams, Wayne people to hear MS and have them think, ‘Oh, said. “Though everyone is dif - Chuck Adams, Katrina Adams Bryan and Pam Shriver made that’s the Jerry Lewis thing (which is ferent, I had many of the and Debbie Graham Shaffer the pro-am an all-star affair. Muscular Dystrophy).”

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www.scta.usta.com LA84 FOUNDATION JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS . . .

. Gar Glenney Cup

Something Special . Gina Pelazini

Mark Winters . . he 26 th Gar Glenney Cup, which matches the top Jr. Team his past summer . Tennis players against their Northern California counter - was something .

. parts, was held at San Diego State University, August 23-24. special for LA84 . The Little Gions, Heritage Park, Surf & Turf and Oxnard Tennis FToundation/National . Center represented the section. Junior Tennis League. . During that period, . an impressive num - . .

ber of youngsters .

throughout the sec - . tion, had the oppor - . tunity to learn and/or . .

improve their tennis .

skills. Some were . LA84 Foundation provides . opportunities for fun and enjoyment. able to attend the Countrywide Classic . . It was an exciting weekend of tennis with great competition,

or the East West Bank Classic, the men’s and women’s pro - . close matches and a great deal of camaraderie. Northern

fessional events that take place locally. . California had an incredibly strong team and ended up taking As is always the case at the Countrywide Classic, an . the cup. After 26 years of competition, the series is tied 13-13. NJTL group had a chance to showcase their strokes . , who played . what many called “the

during a “Between Match” presentation. Others hit the . match of the event” (wi n- courts at the Special Activity Days held at Whittier . ning in a tie-break), was the . Narrows. Gar Glenney Cup Sports- Another vacation highlight was Sakeenah Adams, .

. manship Award winner.

Malesha Bruner, Monica Cervantes and Nadia Zepeda . She evidenced exemplary

being named the Southern California winners of the 2008 . behavior and the spirit that

Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. . makes the event special.

. Southern California is

. looking forward to travel - . ing north next year to . reclaim the lead and bring . the Gar Glenney Cup Charles Mosley, Sportsmanship Award . home. winner Jada Hart and her father Nathan .

......

Los Angeles Tennis Center - UCLA UCLA Southern California 420 Charles E. Young Drive West Tennis Association Los Angeles, CA 90024-9115 NJTL’s success is due to a collection of devoted instruc - www.scta.usta.com (310) 208-3838 tors, and the continued support of the LA84 Foundation. STAFF Thanks to the organization, close to 200,000 youngsters Henry Talbert - Executive Director Darren Potkey - Manager of Junior Competition have become involved in the sport. Annette Buck - Director Adult & Senior Tennis Session I of Year-Round instruction classes began in Mark Winters - Executive Editor October. Session II kicks off in January. For information CONTRIBUTORS about the locations, contact Melanie Bischoff at (310) 208- Jeff Benito, Melanie Bischoff, Becky Edles-Rye, Ronita Elder, Martha Katsufrakis, Linda Milan, Ali Ordonez, Gina Pelazini, Alison Roell, Karen Ronney, 3838 Ext. 239. and Lesley Waite

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www.scta.usta.com JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS . .

Historic Result . Time For A .

Karen Ronney . Change .

wo games can make a world of difference. Just ask the nine players on the Porter . Gina Pelazini Valley Country Club Elite team from Northridge, who made history winning the . . National 14 Intermediate Jr. Team Tennis Championships. They fought off two . have been with the

match points and a five-game deficit to register a 47-45 victory over Chattanooga . Southern California

T . Storm, the defending champion from the Southern section, at the Mobile Tennis Center I Tennis Association for in Alabama, (The world’s largest public tennis facility, with 60 courts.) . almost six years (three . “It was the Super Bowl of Jr. Team Tennis,” said Porter Valley Coach Ron Hightower, with School Tennis and a teaching pro and former world-class player. “It was a great win for the San Fernando .

. three with Jr. Team Valley, Southern California and tennis in general. We represented hundreds of teams

. Tennis) and have decid - from our section and it was an honor to come home with the gold.” . ed to move on. This was a tough decision,

The Porter Valley Elite team is the first from Southern California to win the National . but I have at least a three-hour round-trip

14 Intermediate title since the division was created in 2004. The USTA began offering . commute from my home to the office local, regional and national competition for youngsters in a format similar to Jr. Team . each day. For this reason, I have accepted Tennis in 1994. The current system of national standards was instituted in 2003. . a position with the Muscular Dystrophy Porter Valley, a small club with five courts, qualified for the prestigious USTA event . Association in Santa Barbara. While I am . by winning the San Fernando Valley division this spring and the Southern California sec - excited about this new opportunity and tion event in June. Play time for juniors is limited. Those on the team, most of whom .

. the challenges it will present, it is hard to are recreational players, . leave the SCTA. This was my first “real

raised their perform - . job” out of college and it has been a

ances to astounding . great learning experience. I am truly heights to log the . grateful for all the help I received. unlikely victory. Porter . Valley and Chattanooga ...... were tied, 2-2, in . matches before the . .

final mixed doubles . The New Guy

competition. The .

tension was building . eff Benito, who was as Porter Valley’s . the Riverside/Inland Porter Valley champions . J Brandon Villadiego Empire Area League and Lena Poonnopatam won the first set, 6-4, but they were losing, 0-5, in the .

. Commissioner for Jr. second to Chattanooga’s Luke Orthner and Aliza Williams. . Team Tennis, has re- Porter Valley only needed five games to win the match based on a total of games . placed Gina Pelazini as

won format. SoCal ignored the pressure and closed the gap dodging two match points. . the program’s Coor-

Porter Valley also won three critical no-ad points to tie the match up at, 5-5, on the way . dinator. No stranger to to taking the second set tie-break. Ironically, Chattanooga eventually won the mixed . the game, Benito has played tennis since he doubles match in a super tiebreaker, 11-9, but it was too late. Porter Valley Elite finished . was a ten-year-old. A junior and intercolle - with a higher total game count by a margin of two. . giate competitor, he has been a teaching . Porter Valley’s Deborah Thompson registered wins in Girls’ singles and J.R. pro at Canyon Crest Country Club and Macalutas won the Boys’ singles. Brooke Ronney and Poonnopatam earned Girls’ dou - . . Victoria Club. A certified Official, he also

bles points. Roger Carnow and Cameron Villadiego helped in the Boys’ doubles. Jake . coaches the men’s and women’s teams at

Hellen and Marcus Liou were an integral part of the team’s success in earlier matches. . Cypress College.

“It is a huge accomplishment to win nationals,” said Jeff Benito, the new Jr. Team . “I am very excited to be working for

Tennis Coordinator for the Southern California Tennis Association. “Hundreds of teams . the Southern California Tennis Associ- compete over the course of a year. They have to win their area, section and sometimes . ation,” Benito said. “Gina was a great state tournaments. They also have to fundraise thousands of dollars to send a team. . leader. I look forward to continuing the There are a lot of obstacles to overcome. We are very proud of Porter Valley, and they . high program standards that she estab - . made history representing Southern California. ”

. lished.”

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www.scta.usta.com JUNIOR COMPETITION .

. K-Swiss Final Count ‘Em . . Point Standing

Mark Winters .

. Martha Katsufrakis .

outhern California juniors had another impres - . The top point earners at the . sive summer. At the National 18s, the section end of the 44-tournament . tripled with three finalists. Ryan Thacher, who . circuit are listed. This season,

received the Dr. Allan B. Stowe Sportsmanship . Mayo Hibi, with 1340, became

S . Award, finished on the short end of the score in the a member of the exclusive

title round for the third consecutive year. (He was a . K-Swiss 1000 Point Club. singles finalist last year in the 18s and the year before . Mayo Hibi in his final year in the 16s.) /Bradley Klahn . was the second best doubles team at Kalamazoo. . BOYS’ 18 GIRLS’ 18 . Erik Rosner 980 Jordan Brewer 420

Walker Kehrer/Denis Lin finished in the same position . Candace Wu 320

at the National Boys’ 18 Clay Court doubles. . Sam Rodgers 580 Reo Asami Photo: Prince Sports Erica Cano 280 . Derek Wong 480 In the National Girls’ 18 final, Gail Brodsky, who Jocelyn Lu 280 . trains at the Weil Academy in Ojai, downed Coco Jim Myers 440 Natalie McKay 280 . Vandeweghe. Vandeweghe evened the score, joining Jamie Hampton of Auburn, Gonzalo Aranguiz 420 Jennifer Cornea 220 . Alabama to slip past Brodsky/Mallory Daniel Faierman 420 Natalie Edell 220 . Tory Parravi 220 Cecil of Spartanburg, South Carolina for . BOYS’ 16

the doubles title. Vandeweghe wrapped . Jack McCullers 640 GIRLS’ 16

up her tournament, earning the . Joel Suchil 640 Mayo Hibi 1340

. Monica Pastor 420 Chairman Award that goes to the player Henry Craig 620 . Charlotte Spassoff 420 best exemplifying great strokes, tactics Trevor Campbell 600 and competitive approach. . Anne Susdorf 420 . Christian Ball 500 Anna Tatsuno 380

Raymond Sarmiento teamed with . Zubin Anklesaria 480 Yuki Asami 380

Evan King of Chicago, Illinois to win the . BOYS’ 14 Jordyn Bounds 340

National Boys’ 16 doubles. Sarmiento . Tomas Aranguiz 540 Kaiulani Boyar 340 was also a member of the Boys’ 16 . Helen DeCasare 340

. Dante Saleh 540 Junior Davis Cup team with coach, GIRLS’ 14

. Ernesto Escobedo 460 David Roditi, (and Roger Smith coached Camille Deleon 560 . Luis Miranda 440 the Girls’ 16 Junior Fed Cup team) Margo Pletcher 500 Gail Brodsky Photo: cameraworkusa . Hiromichi Yamamoto 440 Hilary West 440 which scored a historic double, winning . Gregory Wise 420 Fiorella Coria 420 both events in by BNP Paribas finals at San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Zachary Leslie . Gage Brymer 400 Samantha Stalder 420 was a National Boys’ 16 Clay Court finalist. Kaitlyn Christian claimed the . Thao Pham 380 National Girls’ 16 title with Whitney Kay of Alpharetta, Georgia. . BOYS’ 12

. GIRLS’ 12 Alexios Halebian had a breakout summer. He picked up a gold ball at the Naomichi Yamamoto 580 . Yolanda Pham 420 Boys’ 14 National Clay Court Championships, (and was a doubles finalist with Kevin Mariano 500 . Parris Todd 420 Alastair Hurry 460 Mitchell Krueger of Aledo, Texas). He moved on to take the National Boys’ 14 . Rebekah Anderson 400

singles. He was also a member of the Boys’ 14 Junior Davis Cup team that, . Jack Barber 420 Kelsie Bryant 380

along with the Girls’ 14 squad, duplicated the success of the 16s contingent, . Jack Damen 420 Jessica Failla 340 winning the team titles at Prostejov, Czech Republic. Reo Asami was a . Garrett Mak 420 Emily Kuo 320 National Boys’ 14 finalist. . Jaird Meyer 400 GIRLS’ 10 . Ashley Dai/Riko Shimizu BOYS’ 10 Yemisi Ayeni 400 . Marianna Alevra 280

were the National Girls’ . Alafia Ayeni 760 Riley McQuaid 280 14 champions. . Sevag Keosseian 480 Jadie Acidera 220 Reid Shumway took a . Lam Caruanna 420 Ally McKenzie 220 . page from the Thacher book Omead Moini 420 Claire Liu 200 . earning the National Boys’ Chaz Downing 280 Sydney Van Alphen 200 . 12 Sportsmanship Award. Kaitlyn Christian Riko Shimizu Ashley Dai . Jacob Brumm 240 Diana Silvers 180

9 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:42 PM Page 10

www.scta.usta.com JUNIOR COMPETITION

Stories by Mark Winters . .

Five In A Row . The Quest Continues .

. ttendance at the fall College & University Scholarship . Seminars, as it did last spring, increased dramatically. . A

. Candidates, along with parents and coaches of prospects,

. were eager to gain insight on providing university and college

. coaches across the country with the appropriate information

. for scholarship consideration. Given the competitiveness . found in the game today, along with the economic burdens . faced by those in the . tennis community, the .

. growing interest made

. sense.

. For information arry Horowitz isn’t superstitious and five isn’t his lucky num - . about the program, . ber. Nonetheless, under his able direction the Boys’ 18 contact Mark Winters B . (310) 208-3838 Ext.

Intersectional team won its fifth straight championship in July. The . 231. Seal Beach Davis Cup-like competition features the best players from each .

section. Southern California, with 11 victories (Southern is second .

with five), has dominated the annual event. . This year’s team included: Andre Dome, Steve Johnson, Denis . Lin, Oscar Fabian Matthews, Kyle McMarrow, JT Sundling (who . won the Sportsmanship Award) and Ryan Thacher. Horowitz, who . .

is the maestro behind The Gate Junior Tennis Academy at .

MountainGate Tennis Club, first coached the 18s team in 1997. “I . Oxnard Upland

got involved because one of the players I worked with, (Jose .

Lieberman), was on the team,” Horowitz. . He did it again in ’98, but moved along to the 16 Intersectional . team the next year before taking a two-year hiatus; “My wife had . a baby” he proudly points out. He returned to the Boys’ 18 team . . in 2002. .

Asked if he felt any “streak pressure”, Horowitz said, “I think it’s .

more inherent to the players. Southern California has been the .

winner. We are expected to be good. None of the players wants . San Dieguito to be on the team that doesn’t do it.” . He added, “In 2005, Michael McClune played No. 1. We were . not the favorites, but the players were so into the moment that we . Spring Seminar Schedule . proved to be the best. One of the things that brought us together st . April 1 (Wednesday) April 9 th (Thursday)

is bowling. Now don’t laugh, but the first night we go bowling, and . MountainGate Country Club Seal Beach Tennis Center in

the team loves it. It’s part of our tradition. I participate so there are . in Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m Seal Beach at 6:00 p.m. two four-man teams. As an activity, it builds into the social setting. . Contact: Doug Doss Contact: Cathy Jacobson-Guzy It was amazing that after Michael clinched the win in ’05, the first . (310) 476-2291 (562) 896-0555 . thing he asked me was if we were going bowling that night.” nd th . April 2 (Thursday) April 15 (Wednesday) Looking ahead, assuming that he will be asked to return,

. Valencia High School in Santa Barbara Tennis Club in Horowitz said of the six-in-a-row possibilities, “We lost Steve and . Valencia/Santa Clarita Santa Barbara at 6:30 p.m.

Ryan. They will be difficult to replace, but if those who helped this . at 7:00 p.m. Contact: Cathy Ann Simon

year want to play and we add to the mix, we should be tough.” . Contact: Annie Kellogg at (805) 680-3870

He continued, “The other sections are bringing guys who . [email protected] April 22 nd (Wednesday) played college tennis or competed in International Tennis . April 8 th (Wednesday) Temescal Canyon High School in . Federation events. They haven’t been playing local junior tourna - Barnes Tennis Center in Lake Elsinore at 6:30 p.m. . ments. Darren (Potkey – Manager of Junior Competition) would San Diego at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Alison Roell . never stack the Southern California team. I take it as a compliment Contact: Kerry Blum (951) 901-9110 or . that the other sections really want to knock us off.” (619) 221-9000 [email protected] .

10 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:42 PM Page 11

www.scta.usta.com TENNIS ON CAMPUS INTERCOLLEGIATE .

Another Season . . Fall Play .

Linda Milan . Mark Winters .

. elcy McKenna of Arizona State, and Irina Falconi/ Amanda . KMcDowell of Georgia Tech were the singles and doubles . winners at the Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association . Women's All-American Championships, the first of three . national championship events during the 2008-09 collegiate . tennis season. .

. McKenna defeated Fani Chifchieva of Auburn 6-4, 6-3 for the

. title. The victories, which upped her fall total to nine in a row,

The Cal Poly State Tournament was a hit. . included the sophomore slipping past top-seed Auralija . Miseviciute of Arkansas, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the second round. tudents from UCSB, UCLA, USC, California State Fullerton, . Falconi/McDowell Biola, LMU, CSUN and West Los Angeles College attended . downed Renata S . the 2008-2009 Tennis On Campus September kickoff event. The Kucerkova/Anastasia .

competitive divisions included men’s singles and doubles, and . Petukhov of Fresno

women’s singles. In a few instances, mixed doubles was also . State, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in

played. The second event, was the inaugural Annual Cal Poly . the championship

State Tournament, where teams representing Northern and . round. Interestingly, in Southern California competed for “State Champion” honors. . the quarterfinals, they Tennis On Campus is a co-ed recreational program that pro - . defeated another FS vides students social and com - . tandem, Melanie Gloria/ . Tinesta Rowe, the No.

petitive tennis opportunities. .

Team captains and club presi - . 1 seeds, 8-3

dents are the backbone of the .

program, working throughout .

the year to organize activities, . culminating in the Campus . Championship in Southern . . California and ultimately, the .

National Campus Championship. .

Eunsuk Yank of UCI If you attend college or if . Kelcy McKenna

you are a parent of a college .

student who wants to keep playing the game, please contact . Historically, McKenna’s Linda Milan at [email protected] for additional informa - . victory was the second tion. A full schedule of events can be found on the SCTA web - . in three years for her site at: www.scta.usta.com/tennisoncampus . school at the event. . Roxanne Clark/Kady .

September Results . Pooler were the 2006

. doubles winners. It was MEN'S ADVANCED . also historic for Daniel Ugarte, USC (left) d. Jordan Rees, USC 8-3 . Georgia Tech since MEN'S INTERMEDIATE . Whitney McCray/Kristi Gabriel Olmeda (left), UCSB d. Jordan Falk, UCSB 8-6 . Miller were doubles MEN'S DOUBLES . finalist in 2007. Jordan Rees/Robert Yee-USC d. Keith Edwards/ .

. Speaking of doubles, Takashi Hirase-UCLA, 8-1 . Kelly Fox/Elizabeth

WOMEN'S . Lewis of Chapman

Madeline Segura-USC (right) d. Elysa Kliman-USC, 8-3 . were the Wilson ITA . MIXED DOUBLES Division III West Mark Otten/Masha Kontorer-UCLA Alumni won the . Regional Doubles . Amanda McDowell and Irina Falconi champions.

round-robin defeating teams from USC and UCLA, 3-0. .

11 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:42 PM Page 12

www.scta.usta.com Intercollegiate Notes

Mark Winters

Laura Gordon , a former Pomona- Pitzer, coached by UCLA All-American and Ann Lebedeff , was one of the undergraduate assistant eight teams selected to partici - coach at UCLA during the pate in the inaugural ITA 2006-07 season, was named National Division III Women’s Simon Thibodeau’s assis - Team Indoor Championships tant Women’s tennis coach next February at Gustavus at Fresno State. Elizabeth Adolphus College in St. Peter, Schmidt , another former Minnesota. Arizona State’s UCLA All-American and an dropping the Men’s tennis pro - Ann Lebedeff Siobhan Finicane Laura Gordon assistant Women’s coach at Photo: Pomona-Pitzer Photo: Pomona-Pitzer gram benefited UCI Men’s Photo: UCLA Sports Information Notre Dame and Rice, has Sports Information Sports Information coach allowing him to sign Wes been named the Owl’s head Miller as a senior transfer. Maya coach. Kristina Kraszewski Johansson has left Georgia Tech will remain at Rice as an and joined Stella Sampras assistant coach. Jonathan Webster ’s NCAA winning Bowman of Point Loma team as a sophomore at Nazarene, Robert Farah of UCLA. Jason Jung of Michigan USC, Siobhan Finicane of was an Intercollegiate Tennis Pomona-Pitzer, Natalie Associ ation National Summer Kelley of Santa Monica Champ ionships finalist. Ryan Elizabeth Schmidt Tracy Photo: UCLA Sports Information Community College, Juinio , when he played at Lin of UCLA, Kaes Van't Maya Johansson Fresno State, was the inaugural Hof of USC and Riza Zalameda of tournament winner in 1994. Adam Peterson , as a USC per - UCLA were among the Intercollegiate former, was the champion two years later. Sean Tan played a cru - Tennis Association (ITA) 25 th All-Star Team cial role in the success the men’s team at Notre Dame enjoyed in members, consisting of the the Tom Fallon Invitational nation’s top-ranked play - played at the university. ers from the 2008 season UCLA’s NCAA winning and ITA/Arthur Ashe, Jr. women’s tennis team was Leadership and Sports- honored during the half- manship Award winners, time ceremonies of the Jonathan Bowman honored at a President’s UCLA-Stanford game at Suite luncheon held on the Rose Bowl. Amanda Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day at Fink of USC was a member the US Open. Zalameda of the women’s team and was in Sports Illustrated ’s Paul Settles of Claremont- June 2 nd issue “Faces In Tracy Lin, Riza Zalameda, Natalie Kelley, and Kaes Van’t Hof Mudd-Scripps Colleges was The Crowd”. Janice Photo: ITA Media the coach of the men’s team Metcalf Cromer , the first that participated in the eight- woman to play on the country International men’s team at the University Challenge University of Redlands, of Tennis, sponsored by helping lead them to the BNP Paribas, that was held NAIA national champi - in Poitiers, France. Steve onships in 1973 and ‘74, Forman and Cory Parr , and a two-time national the top seeded team from intercollegiate singles Wake Forest, defeated champion, was inducted Rober t Fara h/Steve into the Intercollegiate Johnson of USC, 7-6, 7-6 Tennis Association UCLA’s NCAA winning women’s team to win the ITA National Janice Metcalf Cromer Women’s Hall of Fame. Photo: UCLA Sports Information Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.

12 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 13

www.scta.usta.com COMMUNITY TENNIS A Bag Full Of Treats

Mark Winters

nnually, Melanie Bischoff, who leads Community Tennis efforts in Southern ACalifornia, organizes Recreational Coach and Community Development Workshops on back-to-back days in late October at the Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. Though the gatherings are before Halloween, it wouldn’t be stretching the truth to say that this year participants left the desert with their bags filled with treats. That was definitely the case for the Recreational Coach Workshop. According to Tom Fey, the section’s Community Coaches added to their techniques. Development Committee Chairman who arranged the activities, the 65 par - specialist who spent three years working at ticipants thoroughly the Southern California Tennis Association, enjoyed Saturday’s on- concisely explained “What Is A Budget?”, court action. and did it without forcing those assembled The next day, Judith to take an Advanced Math course. Kieffer, Sharon Gross, Shumway, Senior Associate Director, Rosalind Shumway and Office of Gift Planning for The UCLA Karen Ronney lived up Foundation and a member of the SCTA to their billing as indus - Board of Directors, was enlightening dis - try headliners at the Tom Fey cussing “Creative Fundraising”. Community Develop- ment Workshop. Each individual offered a captivating, thoughtful and entertaining Workshop veterans presentation. Kieffer, who spent ten years as the Vice Ronney, a USTA Recreational Coach President for Grants and Programs at the Workshop and QuickStart Tennis trainer, Amateur Athletic Foundation (currently, and author of the recently released “Proud LA84 Foundation) before moving on and Parents’ Guide (To Raising Athletic, becoming a non-profit organization con - Balanced And Coordinated Kids)”, brought sultant, provided insight concerning “Grant Sharon Gross Rosalind Shumway the day to an energized close detailing Writing Tips”, and later delved into the keys “Why Play Tennis”. to “Motivating Boards Of Directors”. John Thau, a Com- Gross, a Business & Accounting Services munity Develop- ment Committee member and one of the workshops atten- dees, said, “Melanie and Tom you put together another great CTA work - shop. All those who attended extend their thanks for all the hard and good Karen Ronney and Judith Kieffer First time attendees work.”

13 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 14

www.scta.usta.com

Adult League Section Championships All Photos: Ali Ordonez

Men’s 4.5 – Los Angeles Women’s 5.0 – San Diego Women’s 4.5 – San Diego California State Loucks Balboa Tennis Club North County Santaluz

Men’s 5.0 – San Diego La Jolla High School Men’s 3.5 – San Gabriel Valley Women’s 4.0 – San Fernando Valley Women’s 3.5 – Coachella Valley Headhunters Braemar Tennis Club Shadow Mountain

Men’s 3.0 – San Fernando Valley Men’s 4.0 – Orange County Los Angeles Tennis Women’s 3.0 – San Fernando Valley Women’s 2.5 – San Diego North ..Bo.dy. Sh.ots. (N.atio.nal. fin.ais.ts) ...... Pl.aye.rs .Ass.oci.atio.n ...... Co.urt.ette.s ...... Co.unt.y-K.eck. St.one.Rid.ge. Co.unt.ry C.lub. Senior League Section Championships

Women’s 4.5 – Orange County Men’s 4.5 – Orange County Men’s 4.0 – Ventura Seal Beach Tennis Center Women’s 4.0 – San Gabriel Valley Nellie Gail Ranch Moorpark Gladiators (National winners) Altadena

Men’s 3.5 – Orange County Men’s 3.0 – San Gabriel Valley Women’s 3.5 – Orange County Women’s 3.0 – Coachella Valley Los Caballeros Claremont Club (Weekday) Costa Mesa Rancho La Quinta

14 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 15

www.scta.usta.com DIVERSITY

Ronita Elder . .

Hats Off . Youth Tennis Burke’s Way .

. vonne Brathwaite Burke, Supervisor of the Los Angeles . County Second District for the past 16 years, is an avid . tennis player and health enthusiast. She developed the . Y

. concept for the Youth Tennis Classic as a means of introducing

. tennis to youngsters from various ethnic groups who would

. normally not be exposed to the game......

ick Fulgencio, who works for the County of Los Angeles .

Department of Parks and Recreation, is a real tennis .

visionary. He is also the Tennis Development Program .

R . Coordinator for the Southeast Recreation District. Thanks to his efforts, Super-H Supermarket has committed as . . the sponsor of the La Mirada Tennis Tournament. The goal was .

to target 140 youngsters, between the ages 10 and 18 years old . Doris LaCour, Burke’s Senior Deputy, implemented the

who were Beginners or Intermediates, to participate in this year- . Supervisor’s idea, working with the Department of Parks and

end community tennis event. . the Recreation South County Community Services Agency. Fulgencio also played a role in developing free tennis pro - . The partnership was ideal, given the fact that the strategy of grams for youngsters 5-7 years old, following the QuickStart . the plan emphasized, “Creating Community through People, approach. On a 36 x 18 tennis court, instruction is offered every . Parks and Programs.” . Monday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fellow Recreation staff members Burke’s District financed the program, and the United States .

created a proto-type portable tennis backboard with wheels. It . Tennis Association (USTA), the private sector, along with the

was built using mostly recycled materials. The area behind the . County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation came ...... backboard serves as a storage area for racquets, balls, nets, etc. . together to provide support. Tennis workshops were held to Fulgencio’s focus showcases the future of tennis in a fun and . ensure that designated staff was knowledgeable and trained to healthy way while achieving three main goals: . introduce the basics of the game to the youngsters. Parks and • Introducing new players to the game . Recreation purchased over 1,000 tennis racquets and other • Generating excitement about playing more . equipment to implement a tennis program at each of its sites in . • Creating awareness about the Southern California Tennis

. the Second District.

Association and its programs. . The Youth Tennis Classic, named for Burke, was launched in

Hats off to Rick Fulgencio! . November 2005, at the Home Depot Center to showcase the

. program participant’s development. Burke had coined the

. motto “The 2 nd District Is The Place to Play Tennis”, and hon - ANNUAL MEETINGS . oring her was the appropriate thing to do. This annual event . grows each year. Friday, January 16 th , the San Diego District Tennis . Burke’s desire is to make people aware of exercise as a vital Association’s Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet will take .

. component of healthy living. Russ Guiney, Director of the County place . For reservations call (619) 299-8647. . of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation joins with

Monday, February 2 nd , (at the Straus Clubhouse Los . Burke, stressing the importance of addressing health risks and Angeles Tennis Center – UCLA), is the date of the 2009 . childhood obesity. He has made a concerted effort to see that the Southern California Tennis Association’s Annual Meeting. . County offers responsive, efficient and high quality public services . that promote the self-sufficient, wellbeing and prosperity of indi - March 13-16 the USTA Annual Meeting will take place at . viduals, families, businesses and the community as a whole. This, of the Desert Springs JW Marriott in Palm Desert. .

. course, is exactly what Yvonne Brathwaite Burke wanted when

. she made tennis the Second District’s game.

15 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 16

www.scta.usta.com SAN DIEGO DISRICT TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Lesley Waite A Full Year

ingles players looking for to continue learning the matches locally will wel - game. After School Tennis Scome USTA FLEX was available at many Leagues. Beginning December schools for the youngsters. 1st , players can go online at Family Tennis Day events www.USTAFLEX.com to reg - were held throughout the ister. Match play begins next District during the year. February and runs through the More than 3,400 players end of March. Players can competed on League teams schedule six to ten matches by in the District this past year. mutual agreement. Neither Four Adult League teams USTA membership nor an won Section Champion- NTRP rating is required. ships, advancing to the Scores will not affect NTRP National Championships. computer ratings. The fee is Both the Men’s La Jolla High $35 (USTA members receive a School and the Women’s $10 discount). Matches are the Logan Jenkins, Master of Ceremonies, Lawrence Johnson Balboa Tennis Club’s 5.0 best two of three sets. (accepting on behalf of his brother Frank), Jim Perley, Jean Kremm, teams, the Women’s 4.5 Competition involves men’s Bill Kellogg, Brian Teacher and Hall of Fame founder Larry Belinsky Santaluz Club, and the and women’s 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 2.5 Women’s StoneRidge 3.0 and 2.5 skill levels. The process is easy. light up when they hit a ball couldn’t help Country Club teams fought their way to Log in and register, then select a skill level, but applaud. The 2008 Tennis Fest, which the Nationals. The Santaluz team got their schedule and play a match, record the was the eighth annual Tennis Fest was “15 minutes of fame” the day before they score online, then schedule your next a winner. headed to Tucson for the Nationals when match. The format offers opportunities for Although entries were down at the local NBC evening news filmed their final adults who want to play but are unable to District Championships, as they were in practice session. Cheryl McBride, the team make a commitment to League Tennis. most other tournaments this year, there captain, internationally recognized 65s star Plans are to hold four sessions in 2009. were plenty of spirited matches. The two- Cathie Anderson and Loretta Barlow were For additional information go to weekend tournament that ended on Labor interviewed as the rest of the team www.sandiegotennis.com or call Lesley Day featured 47 divisions for adults – worked on their strokes. The group was Waite at (858) 755-8110. Open to 75s, NTRP and family events. As featured on the six o’clock sports segment The District will hold its Annual has become the tradition, one afternoon right after a Chargers interview. Awards Banquet Friday, January 16 th at the was reserved to honor individuals who Monica Sweet’s 9.0 Mixed Doubles La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Local tennis were inducted into the San Diego Tennis team from Peninsula Tennis Club team also players and volunteers will be honored. Hall of Fame. The class of 2008 included won a Section title to earn a slot in the Richard Lederer, noted author, lecturer Frank Johnson, Bill Kellogg, Jean Kremm, Western Region Championship, held in and former co-host of the PBS Radio Jim Perley and Brian Teacher. Sacramento. Sweet’s teammates were show “A Way With Words” as well as a A free Family Tennis Day, (an opportu - Darice Carnaje, Brad Hasper, Jim and Mimi tournament and League Tennis player, will nity for all ages to get a taste of tennis), Loucks, Jeff Ray, Bob Simmons, Rodger be the keynote speaker. Call (619) 299- was held at La Jolla Tennis Club in late Siordia and Tiffany Worst. The Super 8647 for reservations and tickets. October. District board member Sandie Senior League for players born in 1958 or Before turning the calendar to January Kindred, who heads the District Com- earlier, was played during the summer. 2009, the past year’s highlights should be munity Tennis Committee, along with Local winners advanced to the Section recognized. In May, the District’s free board members Steve Kappes, Andrew event in late January trying to secure a Tennis Fest drew around 900 people. Cretella and Fran McCloskey, plus La Jolla place at the National Championships in Thirty-five top teaching pros were on the Tennis Club Head Pro, Brent Davis, ran the Arizona next April. 24 courts running stroke clinics for the lit - afternoon event where children and adults Mixed Doubles League play begins in tlest tykes to seniors; no matter if they turned out. Drop In Tennis, a free six-week early January on Saturdays – 12:30 p.m. for were beginners or advanced players. adult introductory tennis clinic, was 7.0 and 9.0 levels and 2:30 p.m. for 6.0, 8.0 Anyone who watched the small kids’ faces offered as a follow-up for those who want and 10.0 divisions.

16 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 17

www.scta.usta.com YOUTH TENNIS SAN DIEGO

Mark Winters . .

Fantastic! . Junior Team .

s it had been for the past .

. Tennis 18 years the MatchPoint Ball, the annual fundraiser . A . outhern edged Youth Tennis for Youth Tennis San Diego, was . SSan Diego 37-31 in the final of as always a huge success. This . the World TeamTennis Junior year’s “Raise the Roof”, a dinner . National Championships, present - and auction, took place at the . ed by Advanta, at the Barnes Manchester Grand Hyatt in San .

. Tennis Center. It was the section’s Diego. More than 200 people

. third title in the 13-year history attended, including Ruth Jorgensen, the wife of the late USTA President Gordon; the . of the event. The tournament dynamic husband-wife team of Steve and Lee Booth; and former Davis Cup team captain . used the WTT non-elimination

Tom Gullickson. Kerry Blum, Rick Evans, Linn Walker and Kathy Willette also played a big . round-robin format. Each team

part in making the affair spectacular. . was comprised of three boys, Gullikson, (because of his 29-year friendship with Angel . three girls and a coach. Lopez, a member of the MatchPoint Ball Committee and .

. The Youth Tennis San Diego a Youth Tennis San Diego Foundation Board member), was

. squad, coached by Eric Mann, the featured speaker. “I’m honored and very humbled to . included Daniel Faierman, Karen be here tonight to raise money for a very good cause,” he . Forman, Alexander Frakes,

said. “I want to thank Angel for inviting me to attend. Tim . Nikolas Marino, Sophia Najera-

(his twin brother) and I grew up in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. . Salas and Anna Yang. We played at the public parks and had After School .

Programs, which is such a big part of what Youth Tennis . Bill Dunkle coached the Jack Steve and Lee Booth San Diego is about. If we had been around at the time, . Kramer Club “Legends”, who fin - Photos: Cheryl Jones we would have loved being a part of such a program.” . ished third. Players included: Jeff Gullikson fondly reminisced about his brother who coached Pete Sampras, before . Hawke, Erik Lim, Miya Jin, Chase . being diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and dying in 1996. “In 1976, Tim defeat - Ruth, Alex Scotten and Morgan . Thomas.

ed a top 50 player named Karl Meiler. (You have to remember this was before Boris . “Casino Tennis” of Bakersfield Becker, and he was good.) A couple weeks later, I played him. Now, I’m left handed .

and Tim was right handed. So after the match, (which I won), Meiler said, “Who is . also took part in the competition.

this Gullikson guy? I lose to him right handed and then I lose to him left-handed. . Coached by Mark Windes, team Next time, I guess he will beat me two-handed.” . members were: Julie Hutton, As one would expect, those on hand were captivated by the classy and personable . Lindsay Cooke, DJ Johnson, Gullikson. Scott Rogers, who is on the MatchPoint Ball Committee, recalled, “When Youth . Estefenia Limpias, Jeremy Quiroz . and Michael Rodriguez.

Tennis San Diego started, we had a budget of $100,000 and worked with 400 youngsters annu - . The Westview “Attackers” of ally. Now, we deal with over 10,000 youngsters a year, and have a budget of $1.7 million.” .

Community activism is the reason the 21 hard and four clay court facility (named . La Jolla was another participant.

the Barnes Junior Tennis Center in honor of the late former USTA President George . Huong Nguyen was the coach. Barnes, who was a major contributor), that also has sand volleyball courts, jogging . Players included: Erwin trails, player lounge, snack bar, as well as a library, pre-school center and more, has . Hernandez, Chelsea Nguyen, developed into what it is today. . Kimchi Nguyen, Duc Pham, . The “more” is the Steve and Lee Booth Learning Center that is Chad Strong, Steve Thanh, and .

being constructed at Youth Tennis San Diego. “Two years ago, we . Coleen Vo.

made a contribution so the Booth Building could be built,” Lee . The Middle States “Pirates”

said. “My father built a tennis center in the Mid-West. Before he . earned the Maureen Connolly

died, he told us not to give up. Children need tennis and educa - . Brinker Team Spirit Award, which tion. With what we have done, the basics are there. We need to . was based on votes by the team do more. We need to live up to our mission and make sure the . coaches, players and tournament . children receive all that they deserve. It’s all about them.” officials, for its outstanding .

Which is the reason so many caring people turned out to sup - . sportsmanship and camaraderie.

It’s all about the kids. port the “Raise the Roof” effort. .

17 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 18

www.scta.usta.com INLAND EMPIRE - COURT NOTES

Alison Roell .

High Desert Tennis . Altitude Play .

Anyone looking for a tennis game in the High Desert, merely . Moving from Hermosa Beach to Crestline has not diminished

needs to visit the website of the High Desert Tennis Association . Scott Smith’s love for tennis. He has been busy developing ten -

(HDTA) - www.highdeserttennis.org will have information on . nis interest in the Lake Arrowhead, Blue Jay, Running Springs, adult and junior tournaments, along with results, places to play, . Twin Peak and surrounding mountain communities. Working equipment outlets and tennis service providers are all listed. . with Rim of the World coach, Don Short, and local parents, There is even a blog for posting comments on local tennis issues . a Boys’ 18 team was formed and entered in the Jr. .

and events. The “Courts” link shows an interactive map with the . TeamTennis Fall San Bernardino League. Not to be out -

majority of the area’s playing locations marked – from . done, the adults also put together a 3.5 Men’s and 3.0 Women’s

Ridgecrest to Big Bear and Barstow to Wrightwood. By panning . teams that competed

and zooming it’s easy to see what's available. Clicking on "Map . in the Fall Doubles Pins" provides even more information. To get a better view, click . League. All played on the larger version that shows descriptions and gives the . at Rim of the World option to get directions to and from any given court. The . High School. For . HDTA’s National Junior Tennis League program had another suc - more information .

cessful summer program with over 155 players participating at . about tennis in the

six locations. HDTA plans to expand its junior programming by . San Bernardino

introducing QuickStart Tennis and Jr. Team Tennis in 2009. . Mountains, contact

(Greg Raven contributed to this article.) . Scott Smith at (310 ) . 418-1545. Rim of the World High School Girls’ team

......

......

NINEZERO Success . ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY . TENNIS ASSOCIATION The inaugural NINEZERO Games WTT Tournament, held in var - . ious locations around Beaumont, took place in mid-October. . . Becky Edles-Rye

Twelve teams, over 90 players, in three divisions, played for a tro - .

phy and bragging rights. The activity supported a very worthy .

cause – programs to reduce prenatal exposure to alcohol, the . Tennis After School number one cause of intellectual and other developmental dis - . abilities in the United States. . The Orange County Com- . The teams represented tennis munity Tennis Association .

communities and clubs from . is delighted that Susan

all over Riverside and San . Nardi, with assistance from

Bernardino counties. The . Jonathan Hertlein, will head overall feedback was very pos - . the Tennis After School pro - itive, with several “ Wait until . gram. Nardi, who was on the .

next year….” comments being . original OCCTA Board, and

offered by participants. Everyone loved the WTT format and . the first female to coach the

appreciated the opportunity to play in the Sunlakes Country . Armed Services Cup, has been teaching the game for over 25 Club, Solera and Four Seasons Beaumont communities. (A sin - . years. A member of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), and cere “Thank You” is extended to the tennis clubs, homeowner . United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), she is . boards and management groups of the facilities for opening their acclaimed for teaching children. .

courts.) The new courts at Beaumont High School were also . Jonathan Hertlein has played and taught tennis for over 40

used. (Beaumont Unified School District staff was especially help - . years. His PTR credentials match Nardi’s, and he has an exten -

ful in making the site available.) . sive resume, having worked with youngsters and city programs Winning teams included: Adult 4.0 – Murrieta Tennis Club – . across the country. Julie Annet, captain; Adult 3.5 – Norton Tennis Center – Debbie . “We can’t wait to get on the court,” Nardi said. “It’s a dream .

Wilson, captain; Senior 3.5 – Four Seasons Beaumont – Loren . job, and we want to make OCCTA really happy by getting more

Duchesne, captain. . kids into the game.”

18 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 19

www.scta.usta.com .

A Good Deal . Names In The News . . Mark Winters Two-time Grand Slam champion and 1981 Hall of Farmer, Rod . Laver , was named a Life Trustee of the International Tennis .

he 64 th Fullerton Junior Tournament, . Hall of Fame & Museum. Joe Zesbaugh was named to the Tone of the section’s 10 Designated . USTA Nominating Committee. Tom Fey showcased his skill Tournaments, January 31 - February 1 and . at the USPTA Convention at the La Quinta Club & Resort fin - February 7-9, will have a new look in 2009. . ishing among the best in the ball-feeding event that was held. Thanks to Steve and Abby Solomon, . Southern California was well represent in the Davis Cup . Clapp events following the US Open. Sam Querrey made his debut

organizers of the Campbell’s & Tennis . Photo: Amir in the tie against Spain, and Carsten Ball , who Channel National Husband & Wife Senior . grew up in Newport Beach, but plays for Australia (his father, Phil and Super Senior Grass Court Champion- .

. Joshua ships, and Campbell’s National Men’s 60 & is a former Aussie star), did the same against Chile.

. Kameel-Ishmael of the Advantage Tennis Academy was named 90 Hard Court Championships, a partner - . a member of The National Society of High School Scholars ship has been forged between their presti - . (NSHSS). Adam Peterson , the three-time USC All-American

gious tournaments, Fullerton and Panda . and coach of Lindsay Davenport, will be working with U.S. Open Express. . Junior Girls’ champion Coco Vandeweghe , along with Robert Photo: International “Several years ago, . Van’t Hof (but he will not be traveling with Vandeweghe). Jerry Hall of Fame, Newport, we supported the . RI/Michael Baz

. Magee , who used “The Magee Touch” to US Open Wheelchair

. weave beguiling stories (particularly about tennis; he is an Championships,” . avid player) in the San Diego Union-Tribute, has retired

Solomon said. “Our . after 52 years. Zbynek Mlynarik was the Men’s Open

emphasis was on . singles and doubles, with Gary Victor , winner at the the kids clinics and . USPTA International Championships played at the La development. I became aware . Quinta Resort and Club. Louise Brough Clapp , a 2002 ...... that Dave Nowick, who runs SCTA Hall of Fame inductee, was made a member of the the Fullerton Junior event, . Tennis Channel President . and CEO Ken Solomon Beverly Hills High School Alumni Sports Hall of Fame. donates his center and time so . and President-elect and Amber Liu were married at Lake

underprivileged kids can get . Barrack Obama. Hill Community Church in Laguna Hills on October 18 th .

involved in tennis. Through the Fullerton .

Tennis Patrons, he also helps other local . public parks tennis facilities. We wanted to . In Memoriam continue to get new kids into tennis and this . seemed like a good place to start.” . . Jack Ferrell Barbara Jonides

Tom Davin, the CEO of Panda Express, is . Jack Ferrell was always courageous Those who have had dealings with

a tennis player (as is company founder . when it came to standing up for anything the Southern California Tennis Association

Andrew Cherng) and a member of the . he felt strongly about. The UCLA alum - know that the Barbaras – Sportelli, Estes Palisades Tennis Club. “Panda Express start - . nus, who served as Alumni Association and Jonides – form the backbone of ed in Pasadena and is well know in Southern . President and was on the UC Board of behind-the-scenes-efforts. Though she . California,” he said. “We have sponsored the Regents, was a longtime Treasurer of the was no longer an office regular, Barbara J .

Players Party dinner at the Pacific Southwest . Southern California Tennis Association and would still appear during the men’s pro -

the past two years and have received great . member of the Tournament Committee. fessional tournament and when there was

feedback from the tennis community. When . The former PriceWaterhouse partner a special project where she could “help

Steve suggested we do something different . was a class act who passed away in out”. When she left us in September, ten - and become involved at Fullerton, it made . late October. He will be dearly missed. nis, along with the theater (a passion of sense. We’ve found that tennis players love . hers), lost a dear friend. She was a very

. Clyde Hippenstiel special lady. Indeed, she was one of a kind. our food because they can build a great . From time to time, notice of an indi -

meal from our many choices.” . vidual’s departure is not made. Jackie Tatum

On his tournament website Nowick, . Unfortunately, this was the case with Jackie Tatum, the patron of local thanked Campbell’s, The Tennis Channel and . Clyde Hippenstiel, who passed away in diversity based tennis, passed away in Panda Express for their support. He noted, . November 2007. One of four outstand - early November. The former head of the “Each player will receive a special tourna - . ing tennis-playing brothers—Glenn, Los Angeles City Park Department and . Robin and Wayne were the others—he ment hat and a coupon for a free meal at . the namesake of the Jackie Tatum Classic

any Panda Express.” . was a doubles star in public parks and was a friend to everyone. She will be

Which is all a very good deal. . senior play. dearly missed.

19 92618_NWSLTR:SCTA Senior MAR 11/25/08 3:43 PM Page 20

www.scta.usta.com RESULTS

28 th K-Swiss Grand Prix Masters Championships . 52 nd Southern Photos: Martha Katsufrakis . California . Intercollegiate . BOYS' 18 Championships . Daniel Faierman d. Dylan Trent Photos: Annette Buck .

6-2, 6-1 (not pictured) ......

BOYS' 10 GIRLS' 14 . Eric Nguyen d. Sevag Keosseian Tracy Van d. Vivian Chau . BOYS' 16 . 6-2, 6-0 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 . Pilki Min d. William Duncan SINGLES 6-4, 6-1 . Mahmoud Kamel - Pepperdine . (right) d. Nick Meister - UCLA . 7-5, 7-6 ......

GIRLS' 18 GIRLS' 12 . BOYS' 14 DOUBLES Jordan Brewer d. Jocelyn Lu Jessica Failla d. Emily Kuo .

Tomas Aranguiz d. Dante Saleh . Matt Kecki/ 6-4, 6-1 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 . Daniel Nguyen - USC (right)

. d. Abdullah Magdas/

. Jaak Poldma - USC . 8-6 . .

. Warmest Holiday Wishes .

. from The Board of .

. Directors and the Staff of . BOYS' 12 the Southern California

GIRLS' 16 GIRLS' 10 . Alastair Hurry d. Mayo Hibi d. Yuki Asami Yemisi Ayeni d. Marianna . Tennis Association.

6-2, 6-7, 6-1 6-0, 6-0 Alevra 6-3, 7-5 . .

......

UCLA Non-Profit Org Southern California Tennis Association US Postage Los Angeles Tennis Center - UCLA PAID UCLA 420 Charles E. Young Drive West Los Angeles, CA 90024-9115