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All offers while supplies last. stores | tennis.golfsmith.com | 800.214.5828 The President’s advantage Presented by: BY LARS ROSENE USTA Texas Section Staff PRESIDENT, USTA TEXAS SECTION 512-443-1334 Office Ext. E-mail ast month I had the opportunity to attend the Executive Director Ken McAllister x201 [email protected] International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Induction L Ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island. This year, Administrative Department the inductees included Aussie tennis great Patrick Rafter Director of Administration and the first Argentinean woman to win a , Rhonda Lindsey x204 [email protected] Gabriella Sabatini. For those of you that don’t know Office Manager/Awards Coordinator about the hall of fame, it serves as tennis’ equivalent Pam Jaeger x216 [email protected] to football’s Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Controller, Executive Director Tennis & Education Foundation Larry Eichenbaum x222 [email protected] and baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. And, while the baseball and football halls are probably more popular in the mainstream Community Development Department sports community, the International Tennis Hall of Fame plays tribute to Director of Community Development the greatest tennis players to ever play the game. Mike Carter x207 [email protected] In addition to the hall of fame, the location was also the site for the Community Development Coordinator/Program Marketing first U.S. National Championships in 1881 and where it continued Kristi Hotz x219 [email protected] until 1915. Today, the site Junior Coordinator Justin Tobin x212 [email protected] plays host to the Campbell’s men’s ATP tour event. It’s this working tournament component that makes it unique to any other sports hall Recreational Programs Coordinator, Adult, Collegiate, Wheelchair, Special Populations of fame. And, it’s also the only professional event in the Todd Carlson x208 [email protected] U.S. Together, with the induction ceremony, it makes for a great week- Schools/NJTL/MP Coordinator end for any tennis lover. Kerlin Butchee x215 [email protected] As I mentioned earlier, this year’s induction included two tennis Community Development Partnerships & Events greats with Rafter and Sabatini. However, there were other players Katie Cox x218 [email protected] that received awards over the weekend. During the event, the USTA’s Tennis Service Representative-North Central Region Laura Gilbert [email protected] Junior Sportsmanship Awards were given out. This year, Tennis Service Representative-Dallas/East Texas Region the USTA Texas Section was represented by Ashley Weinhold of Eric Clay [email protected] Austin. Ashley was one of four junior players from around the U.S. Tennis Service Representative-Northwest Region who received this prestigious award. In addition to her on-court Amanda Shaw [email protected] sportsmanship, Ashley has recently won three professional titles, Tennis Service Representative-Central & West Texas Region including the Fidelity-Southlake $10,000 Professional Tennis Classic Sal Castillo [email protected] singles title. Tennis Service Representative-Southeast Region The speeches from the inductees are always the highlight of the Cindy Benzon [email protected] weekend event and this year was no different. What’s interesting is Tennis Service Representative-Rio Grande Valley Region Simon Menchaca [email protected] that both Patrick and Gabriella talked about how tennis had been a positive impact on their lives and how it had prepared them for life Competitive Department after tennis. It’s funny, but you hear this from many players after they Director of Competitive Tennis leave the game. And it should be Kevin O’Shea x210 [email protected] considered on of the main ben- Ashley and Lars with Adult & Senior Competitive Coordinator efits when starting young players. Nancy Perkins x217 [email protected] Tennis is not just great way to keep Junior Competitive Coordinator Chriztine Kirk x220 [email protected] you in shape, but it’s a great way to help prepare a child, or even and Junior Competitive Coordinator Bonnie Vona x209 [email protected] adult, for real life situations. Section League Coordinator If you haven’t been to the Sue Johnson-Maurer 361-906-1432 [email protected] International Tennis Hall of Fame, NTRP/Assistant League Coordinator I would add it to your list of great Tosha Smith x231 [email protected] places to visit. It’s the only place in Junior Ranking Coordinator the where you can see memories of Renae Friedrichsen x211 [email protected] some of the greatest players in the Marketing Department game and the only U.S. grass court Director of Marketing professional event in the United Stephanie Arena x206 [email protected] States. Communications Manager Congratulations to Patrick, Granger Huntress x202 [email protected] Gabriella and Ashley. It was truly Promotions Coordinator an honor witnessing these mile- Oscar Martinez x230 [email protected] stones in your careers.

26 tennislifemagazine october 2006 Presented by:

Kenny Mc’s texas section corner BY KEN McALLISTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, USTA TEXAS SECTION

PRICE OF PRESTIGE he 2007-8 members of the CALL FOR Management Committee have EXECUTIVE T been elected. This is the highest level of volunteerism within the Texas Section. Note that I did not say “most COMMITTEE important”. Tennis survives because of vol- CANDIDATES unteers. Although we have 25 fulltime staff in Texas, we really do well because of at least 2000 volun- teers. If you are reading this, you are probably among them. The Nominating Committee is soliciting recom- Some you help out on one or two events a year, and some of you have reached the level of working on some tennis busi- ness every week. And we do not pay you anything except mendations and applications for the USTA Texas for pats in the back and maybe a few meals. In this latter category are league team captains, tour- Section Executive Committee. One new member nament directors, officers in community tennis associa- tions, Junior Team Tennis coordinators, National Junior Tennis League leaders, USPTA volunteers and officers, from each of our four zones (NW, NE, SW, SE) Texas Tennis Coaches Association officers, tennis program organizers, committee chairs, and, of course, the officers must be elected by our member organizations at of the Management Committee. All are intertwined with volunteers at every level. This is massive and sometimes the Texas Section Annual Meeting in February unwieldy. Is it prestigious to get to that “highest” level? I hope so. I have watched many of these dedicated folks start with of 2007. The term of membership will be for helping at a tournament site, then volunteering for a local committee or assisting with school programs for kids. From a period of three years beginning immediately there, someone nominates them for local leadership, and this often transcends into Texas Section leadership. Several of these have even taken the step into national leadership. after the election. All members and member No one measures the time they have spent or the lives they have touched, but, without a doubt, it is those lives that organizations are invited to recommend candi- spur them on. There are rewards. The measurable ones are trips to Austin, The Woodlands, and various Texas tennis events all dates. Contact the individuals for their permis- over the state. The USTA meetings are usually at attractive and fun sites like Orlando, Tucson, and during the US Open. sion before submitting candidates for nomination The best rewards are immeasurable: meeting others from all over Texas who are passionate about tennis like you, build- ing friendships that last a lifetime, and gaining the respect and have them send a brief tennis resume with of fellow tennis enthusiasts. From those of you who volunteer once in a while to host a letter to the Nominating Committee indicat- a community tennis event to those who feel as if you have a second job with no pay, thank you from the Texas Section ing that they will if elected. Candidate staff and the Community Tennis Association staffs for help- ing us grow tennis. All of you are prestigious to us. Please look for the article in this issue on the new 2007-8 applications must be received by December officers. We are indebted to the 2005-6 officers for taking us to new levels of participation and opportunity in the past 1, 2006 and should be submitted to: Murray two years. Thank you President Lars Rosene, Vice Presidents Kathy Langer, Alfredo Trevino, and Ben Eshleman, Secretary Gloria Dial, Treasurer Robert Rubel, Delegate Carol Welder, Coulter at 3805 62nd Drive; Lubbock, TX and, for 18 years of service, Nominating Committee Chairman Murray Coulter. 79413 or by E-mail to [email protected]

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 27 Junior news

texas section TEXANS HAVE A BALL AT CLAY COURTS WEINHOLD RECEIVES TALBERT AWARD The USTA National Championships were NEWPORT, RI – Ashley held in July. The Texas Section was represented at the Weinhold of Austin was event by over 130 junior in all divisions. Congratulations named one of the four recip- to those who won a gold, silver, or bronze ball. ients of the prestigious Bill Mitchell Kruger of Aledo earned a silver ball, falling to Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Gordon Watson of Florida in the finals of the Boys’ 12 Award presented annually Singles. by the United States Tennis Boerne’s Blair Shankle paired with Chanelle Van Ngyen Association. of Florida to win the gold ball in the Girls’ 12 Doubles. The award winners were Plano’s Ben Guthrie captured a bronze ball in both guests of the International singles and doubles. He teamed with Alex Van Velzer of Tennis Hall of Fame during Montgomery in the Boys’ 14 Doubles. Hall of Fame Weekend, July Lilly Kimbell of New Braunfels teamed with Zoe De 14-16. Each winner was be Bruycker of California to earn a silver ball in the Girls’ 16 presented with their sportsmanship trophy during the Doubles. Hall of Fame luncheon on Saturday and participated in many of the Hall of Fame Weekend events. BOYS’ 12 SINGLES Weinhold became the seventh Texan and fourth straight F (2) Gordon Watson d. (3) Mitchell Krueger 6-3; 6-2 award winner from the Lone Star state to win the coveted SF (3) Mitchell Krueger d. Austin Smith 6-7; 6-2; 6-0 award since its inception in 1988. Past Texas winners include: Cary Lothringer of San Antonio (1989), Brandon Hawk of GIRLS’ 12 DOUBLES Clyde (1996), Seth McKinley of San Antonio (2001), Whitney F (3) Shankle/Van Nguyen d. Li/Lin 6-2; 6-1 Deason of Houston (2003), Lauren Lui of Houston (2004) and SF (3) Shankle/Van Nguyen d. (8) Collins/Fisher 6-2; 6-3 Ashwin Kumar of Round Rock (2005). Presented annually by the of Directors of the BOYS’ 14 SINGLES International Tennis Hall of Fame, four Bill Talbert Junior PL (3) Ben Guthrie d. (4) Augie Bloom 6-0; 6-3 Sportsmanship Award recipients are selected from the seven- SF (1) d. (3) Ben Guthrie 6-2; 6-0 teen (17) sectional nominations of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Awards Committee. Each award winner BOYS’ 14 DOUBLES must be a junior player who exemplifies the finest qualities of PL (3) Guthrie/Van Velzer d. (2) Johnson/Thompson 6-2; 3-6; 6-3 sportsmanship in tournament play as well as one who main- SF (1) Kudla/Ore d. (3) Guthrie/Van Velzer 6-1; 6-4 tains the finest traditions of the great sportsmen/women of tennis, past and present. This year’s recipients were previ- GIRLS’ 16 DOUBLES ously announced by the USTA during the 2005 USTA annual F (4) Abajian/Bartlett d. (5) De Bruycker/Kimbell 6-2; 6-0 spring meeting. SF (5) De Bruycker/Kimbell d. (5) Cercone/Kasler 7-6(6); 6-2

Lilly Kimbell

Ben Guthrie

28 tennislifemagazine october 2006 texas section

Intersectionsals and Zonals Place overall, going undefeated in their matches. Two play- ers, Michael Vutam and are still age eligible t the 12 Zonals, Team Texas Aggies won by one for 14s, but played up. match over the Mo Valley Jayhawks. Eric Tyler Naples Bath and Tennis Club in Naples, Florida hosted came back from 0-3 in the third to clinch the A the 14 Zonals. Texas sent 4 teams of 5 Boys and 5 Girls. first place win with a 5-0 record! The other Texas teams Head Coach Steve Kirk was assisted by Damian Furmanski, fineshed with 4-1 records placing Texas in a massive tie Brian Notis and Ryan Haymond. Sarah Hornberger & Eric with other Mo Valley teams for third. The Aggies were Weygandt won the Sportsmanship Awards for Texas. The coached by Andrew Painter. Texas Sportsmanship award 14 Zonals event, played on clay, is a good warm-up for winners were Austin Mayo and Tatum Nowlin. Texas the National Clay Courts tournament. Aggie team members were: Eric Tyler, Josh Hagar, Scotty At the 16 Zonals, which took place at the Waco Regional Martinson, Joey Molina, Nicholas Izzard, Ayako Okuno, Tennis Center, Team Texas claimed an amazing sweep of Nan Porter, Brooke Hughes, Kendall Warren and Jocelle the first five places! In the finals, Team Texas A defeated Rudicio. Coaches were: head coach Karen Crumpton; Team Texas B, 8-2. Andrew Painter; Phillip Zavala and Kelly Marshall. Team Texas A was coached by Alex Johansson and The 16 Intersesctionals were hosted at Pierremont Oaks consisted of Isamu Tachibana, Austin Brooks, Johnathan Tennis Club in Shreveport, Louisiana, July 9-13. Team Alexander, Lukas Starmach, Nicholas Caledonia, Millie Texas roster was: Jessica Alexander, Lilly Kimbell, Millie Nichols, Brett Ellen Keeler, Alexandra Henry, Emily Nichols, Ashley Turpin, Ryan Harrison, Isamu Tachibana Mathis and Audrey Wooland. Team Texas B was coached and Michael Vutam and coached by Bob McKinley. by Neil Adams and consisted of Lilly Kimbell, Charlotte Michael Vutam and Ashley Turpin led Team Texas to 4th Calhoun, Lucy Wu, Leonora Slatnick, Christiana Renfro, Michael Vutam, Donald Van Velzer, Chris Camillone, Ryan Ybarra and Joseph Dwyer. Genna Ford and Johnathan Alexander won the Sportsmanship Awards for Texas. The Texas Section has always provided T-shirts for their National Teams. This year, Sponsors helped cover the cost, allowing us to provide a higher quality of shirts and for the first time, caps. A huge, Texas-sized “Thank you!” to Summit Builders, On Court-Off Court, The USPTA and Tennis Express for supporting our Team Texas Players as they represent Texas in competitions from Florida, across the Midwest and all the way to California. Leonora Slatnick

Alexandra Henry Ryan Ybarra Max Stevens

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 29 2006 NJTL Rally Tour of Texas

undreds of National Junior Tennis League par- Founded by , Charlie Parcell and Sheridan ticipants hit the road and the courts this summer Snyder the National Junior Tennis League program is an Has each chapter traveled throughout the state to excellent follow-up to the USA School Tennis Program. attend one of the four regional 2006 NJTL Rallies. Houston The program provides children with an opportunity to was host to the first rally, followed by Waco, Corpus learn tennis and a means for learning good sportsman- texas section Christi, and finally Lubbock. Each rally site had their own ship and character. NJTL reaches more than 150,000 flare as social events were left up to each regional rally children nationwide, and in 2001 the USTA Texas Section coordinator. Events varied from hot dog parties and kara- introduced over 7,000+ children to the sport and has 66 oke contests, to prize courts and water games. While fun is NJTL programs and chapters across the state. For more always an important component of each NJTL Rally, teams information contact, NJTL Coordinator, Kerlin Butchee, were competitive this year, each determined to finish in [email protected]. the top two teams so that they might advance to the finale of all rallies, the Texas Section NJTL Rally hosted in Dallas, Texas, July 28th-30th. Players were not short of perspiration nor inspiration as they battled back and forth until one team would be NJTL TEXAS SECTION RALLY named Texas Section Champion. Friday night began with CHAMPIONSHIPS a spaghetti dinner hosted by parents and volunteers of the home teams. Teams mixed and mingled, sizing up KEIST TENNIS CENTER their competition for the next day of tournament play. DALLAS Saturday was long and hot, but the teams came through JULY 28-30 remarkably, leaving plenty of energy for their long-awaited trip to one of Dallas’ finest water parks. With champions NOVICE DIVISION still unnamed, players headed to the courts early Sunday morning, finishing all match play in time for the after- Dallas Aces 76 noon award’s ceremony and end of rally celebration. The competition was fierce this year, with teams posting tight Dallas Drop Shots 73 scores throughout the weekend. Congratulations to the Dallas Big Show 34 winners from both divisions… Austin Jammers 32

NOVICE: DALLAS ACES INTERMEDIATE DIVISION INTERMEDIATE: FLOYDADA WINDS Floydada Winds 101

USTA Texas Section staff and volunteers would like to Dallas “E”mericans 80 share a special thanks to all NJTL Coordinators, Volunteers, CTTA Stars 58 Parents, and Host Cities for your generous hospitality and excellent accommodations for the 2006 NJTL Rally Season. Dallas Kangaroos 49 We could not have done it without you!

Hunt Wins at Wimbledon

Jamie Hunt of San Antonio won his first round match at The Junior Championships at Wimbledon in June, defeating James Lemke, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. He fell in the second round to 12-th seeded Artur Chernov of Russia.

Hunt teamed with ’s Roberto Maytin in doubles. The pair defeated Lebanon’s Bassam Beidas and singles finalist Marcin Gawron of Poland in the first round. They fell to Luka Belic and Antonio Veic of Croatia in three-sets.

It was Hunt’s eighth-straight junior grand slam championship.

30 tennislifemagazine october 2006 USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS TEXAS SECTION Presented by: SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS texas section UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN JULY 29-30, 2006

The 2006 USTA Jr. Team Tennis Texas Section Championships were a major hit, as over 120 kids from across the state endured the 100 degree heat for a chance to win a state title. On Saturday evening, the play- ers and coaches cooled down with a hot dog party at Zilker Park and a swim in the chilly waters of Barton Springs. Congratulations to all who competed.

18 AND UNDER INTERMEDIATE 14/18 AND UNDER ADVANCED 14 AND UNDER INTERMEDIATE SE Houston (Longhorns) 153 San Antonio 94 SE Houston (Clear Lake Tornados) 131 SE Houston (Mustangs) 150 SE Houston (Clear Lake-Lightning) 94 San Antonio 124 San Antonio 133 Southlake 83 Amarillo 118 Amarillo 125 SE Houston (Longhorns) 80 SE Houston (Pintos) 106 Portland 123 SE Houston (Clear Lake-Storm) 48 Portland 101 Seguin 108 San Antonio wins title based on 22-17 head-to- Smithville 75 Smithville 103 head win.

SPORTSMANSHIP SPORTSMANSHIP SPORTSMANSHIP Boy – Ross Quarles (Seguin) Boy – James Paradise (San Antonio) Boy – Gregg Gilmore (Portland) Girl – Nuria Seijas (SE Houston Mustangs) Girl – Kayleigh Sullivan (Clear Lake-SE Houston Lightning) Girl – Jessie Hampton (SE Houston Pintos) Team – SE Houston Longhorns Team – Clear Lake-SE Houston Storm Team – Amarillo Coach – Manuel Moreno, Jr. (SE Houston Longhorns) Coach – Stephen Poorman (Southlake) Coach – Domenick Iacovo (Portland)

JOHN NEWCOMBE'S TENNIS RANCH SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS TOURNAMENT NAME WINNER'S NAME DIVISION CITY HARLINGEN CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIOR MAJOR ZONE Andrew Leggq Boys’ 12 Houston LUBBOCK HWY 80 JUNIOR OPEN - CHAMP JUNIOR MAJOR ZONE Chris Sivertson Boys’ 14 Plano KHIEM AITKEN HOUSTON CHAMPIONSHIP MAJOR ZONE Kristen Teddy Girls’ 16 Sugar Land NRH CHAMPIONSHIP JR MAJOR ZONE Natalie Holmes Girls’ 18 Corsicana AMARILLO ZAT Frank Granados Boys’ 18 Hereford DTA Summer ZAT Andrew Adams Boys’ 16 Plano CORPUS CHRISTI ZAT Jonathan Goonan Boys’ 12 Sugar Land KERRVILLE ZAT Grivel Gavin Boys’ 12 San Antonio BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION ZAT #2 Alex Infante Boys’ 14 Laredo Arlington Tennis Center ZAT Courtney Haugen Girls’ 18 Bartonville Howdy Honda AUSTIN ZAT Tiffanie C. Kung Girls’ 16 Austin PASADENA ZAT Debbie Ceron Girls’ 18 La Porte LUBBOCK Summer ZAT Michelle Mendoza Girls’ 16 San Angelo

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 31 Adult & Senior news

texas section Charles and Hilary Marold: the 2006 Texas Senior Sectional Mixed 55 Championships, and at the Husband-Wife Championships, the combined Connected at the age of both couples the Marolds defeated barely added up By Jeff Sikes, photos by Joe Loudon (USTA Mo Valley) to their total age. n the Hilary and Charles Marold partnership, the end “The span of ages between us and the couples we have to result of the near three decades of mixed doubles ten- beat these days is getting bigger and bigger,” said Charles, Inis matches they’ve played has always been, well.... 60, and a retired optometrist who kayaks five to six miles love and love. a day, fishes twice a day, and, oh yes, trades volleys with No, the Marolds his wife. haven’t swept through The Marolds ended up in the semifinals, before falling to every match they’ve top-seeds Marissa and Mel Brown of Overland Park, KS and played with that much eventually capturing fourth place. ease while sharing a court for much of the last 30 years. Nor POSTER COUPLE have they been double If there’s ever a poster couple for active senior lifestyles, bageled with any kind the Marolds would have to be the ones on it. And still the of regularity (usually, ever-busy Charles looks almost sedentary in comparison it’s them doing that with Hilary. Fit as a fiddle at 60, he has to chase after his to their opponents). wife if he’s going to catch up with her, on the court or You’ve heard of con- anywhere else. A go-getter from the time she first took nected at the hip? The up the sport in the 10-and-unders back in her native Marolds, they are con- southern California, Hilary is 56 going on 25, and a jock nected at the grip... of without a doubt. Her quick hands and sharp reflexes made a tennis racket. her a natural for tennis, and she has six USTA National Hailing from Corpus Championship gold balls (all in women’s doubles) to Christi, the Marolds are prove it. just one of 25 married She’s also in the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame, a hybrid couples who put love tennis game played on a court 1/4 the size of a regula- on the line literally, tion . She once beat in doubles. July 21-23 at the USTA She’s beaten at paddle tennis. She’s been a National Husband and Wife Hard Court Championships. The event, held in Kansas City, was a national champion- ship event, and one of the few where love off-court is the whole reason for playing.

LOVE FLASHED BEFORE THEIR EYES Meeting with racquets in hand at the National Public Parks Championships in 1976 in Chicago, love literally flashed before them. To be more precise, it flashed before Charles that day. After winning a championship match in women’s doubles, Hilary snapped a picture of her partner to commemorate their victory. After taking the picture, she panned the camera over with a big grin at this guy sitting nearby. The guy was Charles. He smiled back and they clicked right away. “That was all it took, it was just one of those fun things you do when you’re happy,” said Hilary. “But it ended up breaking the ice. After that, he was by my side the whole rest of the tournament.” And has been ever since. The Marolds have been flashing before their opponents’ eyes for much of the ensuing time since that fateful day, exhibiting on-court chemistry that would make Einstein proud. The love birds recently won

32 tennislifemagazine october 2006 broadcaster for NBC television’s All three of their children play and Wimbledon coverage, appearing in play well. Daughter Morgan was a

1978 with Bud Collins. part of the University of Texas’ texas section She was a competitor in the runner-up finish at the Tennis “Superstars” competition, an all- on Campus Championships this around sports contest show that spring, and son Burke plays No. was a hit back in the 1970’s, pitting 1 for Westmont College in Santa elite athletes against each other in Barbara, California. Hilary has a decathlon-like melange of sports won Mother-Daughter tourna- activities that included 100-meter ments with Morgan, and plans sprints, an obstacle course, bowl- to play in Mother-Son with Burke ing, football, rowing and other soon. She’s played in countless sports, including tennis. She was tournaments with hubby Charles, on the cover of Women’s Sports including two National Public magazine in 1972, a publication Parks mixed doubles champion- started up by . She ships victories 10 years apart, 1979 once played the legendary Dodo and 1989. Cheney for the Riviera Country “The game was passed on to Club (Calif.) club championships me by my mother, she was the as a 16-year-old. She won the first one who got me into the sport, three games, then went down in and made a lot of sacrifices,” said a hurry, losing to a woman at the Hilary, speaking through tears. “I time nearly 30 years her senior. drove my son across the country Marold and Cheney have been trying to get him a top national friends ever since. ranking, and Charles and I have “I guess that’s why I don’t under- been playing together for a long estimate people on a tennis court,” time.” said Hilary. “You never know what The Marolds reached the someone might be able to do.” semifinals at the USTA National Husband and Wife Hard Court Championships, often times beat- IN IT FOR LIFE ing players half their age. Love has served the Marolds, and they’ve returned it “We’ve been married 28 years and playing from day back, passing their love of the game down to their family. one,” said Hilary. “No, 27 years, I think. No, it’s 28.” “It’s one of those,” said Charles. The secret to a good partnership on and off the court for nearly three decades? “I think as you age, you tend to mellow a bit on the court. I’m less Type A than I once was and more lenient now.” “Uh, I just say “Yes, dear.” said Charles. “That’s why it works.” “I think we just say, ‘Hey, we’re still lucky to be out here and playing well’,” said Hilary. “Tennis has been the core for every- thing. We hope we’re going to play until we keel over.”

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 33 Cass, King Capture Virtual Grand Slam

texas section Julie Cass and Michelle King of Austin captured their sixth-straight Women’s 35 National Doubles Crown, winning the USTA Grasscourt Championships held in July at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Cass and King defeated Julie Kaczmarek and Jessica Schlotterback in the final. The duo now looks toward September and the Championships for their chance to win the ‘calendar year’ Grand Slam. Last year the pair won all three events they entered, but skipped the Indoor Championships. Julie Cass Cass also captured the singles title and looks to complete the grand slam in that event, having already won the Indoors and Clay Court National Championships this season. King earned fourth place in the singles.

USTA NATIONAL W35 GRASS COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS MERION CRICKET CLUB • HAVERFORD, PA • JULY 17-22, 2006 Women’s 35 Singles Women’s 35 Doubles F (1) Julie Cass d. (2) Jessica Schlotterback 7-6(4); 4-6; 6-4 F (1) Julie Cass/Michelle King d. (2) Julie Kaczmarek/ PL (3) Trish Riddell d. (4) Michelle King 6-3; 6-4 Jessica Schlotterback 7-5; 6-3 USTA NATIONAL MEN’S 65 & 70 HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS RACQUET CLUB OF IRVINE • JUNE 19-25 Men’s 65 Singles Men’s 65 Doubles F (3) Allan Carter, Florida d. (5) Del Campbell, Dripping Springs 6-2; 6-4 F (1) Leichtfried/Sarantos, Calif. d. (2) Bachmann/Del Campbell 3-6; 4-0 Ret (inj) PL (9) Richard Landenberger, Dallas d. (1) Joseph Bachmann, Florida Wo (inj)

USTA NATIONAL MEN’S 50 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP MULTNOMAH ATHLETIC CLUB • PORTLAND, OR • JUNE 20-25, 2006 Men’s 50 Singles F (3) Sal Castillo, San Antonio d. (1) Fred Robinson 6-3; 6-2

USTA NATIONAL MEN’S 45 HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS WESTLAKE TENNIS & SWIM CLUB • WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA • JUNE 28 - JULY 4 Men’s 45 Singles Men’s 45 Doubles F (1) Vallis Wilder, Fort Worth d. (5) David Mathews 6-1; 6-4 F (1) Fedderly/Wilder d. (3) Hessler/Tyrell 3-6; 6-4; 6-4 PL (4) Pierre Mareschal d. (7) Max King, Dallas 6-4; 6-2 2006 NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS USTA NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER • FLUSHING MEADOWS • JUNE 21-25, 2006 Men’s 45 Singles Men’s 65 Singles F (1) Vallis Wilder, Fort Worth d. (2) Al Hernandez 6-3; 6-2 F (1) Lou Monte d. (4) John Newman, San Antonio Wd (em) Men’s 45 Doubles Men’s 65 Doubles F (1) Udis/Wilder d. (4) Hernandez/Rosen 2-6; 6-4; 10-7 F (1) Aydelott/Carlin d. James Attaway, Waco/Marvin Henderson, Kosse (TX) Wd (em) USTA NATIONAL W 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 & 90 GRASS COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS THE WEST SIDE TENNIS CLUB • FOREST HILLS • JULY 9-16, 2006 Women’s 80 Doubles F (1) June Dickey, Kingwood/Elaine Mason d. (2) Hussey/Price 6-0; 6-3 USTA NATIONAL MEN’S 50 HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS TENNIS CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA • JULY 9-15, 2006 Men’s 50 Singles Men’s 50 Doubles F Ross Persons, Houston d. (1) Fred Robinson 6-4; 6-3 F Ross Persons/James Rombeau, Houston d. (2) Bohannon/Kearney 6-0; 6-2

34 tennislifemagazine october 2006 WAT05548 150 line 8.375 x 10.875” 84748_WAT05548_USTA_Ad2-5 4 1/2/06 3:47:37 PM USTA Ad #5 Community news

texas section PARTY ON TEXAS!!! Everyone from Texas loves a good party! Check out the “raquet” tennis fans from around the state have been stringing up this summer!

36 tennislifemagazine october 2006 Houston Hosts a Welcome Back to Tennis Event th n July 16 the Jewish Community Indoor Tennis texas section Center was host to 40 participants in the 50 and Oover age group for Houston’s first-ever Welcome Back To Tennis Event. Before hitting the courts the participants were given the opportunity to meet and greet fellow players, club pros, volunteers, and USTA Texas Section staff learning a little bit more about the origins of this event and the hope to make each one, a player once again. Immediately sweating to the sounds of the golden oldies, the participants went through a series of warm-up exercises and stretching to be sure that they were prime for the tennis-filled afternoon ahead of them. ‘Welcome’ to new To ease the impact and lessen the frustration of dusting Community Tennis Associations: off their strokes, players used foam transition balls for their drills, hitting and bumping the ball back and forth. Several CEDAR HILL (DALLAS AREA) comments were made about the energy surrounding the event, unlike many lessons that several participants had CEDAR PARK/LEANDER CTA (AUSTIN) been accustomed to where players stood in line much longer than they ever played. The enthusiasm continued DENTON AREA CTA as the group participated in several individual and team PROSPER CTA (DALLAS) activities throughout the afternoon, ending the day with a round of doubles. SAN MARCOS Keeping with everyone’s favorite tennis tradition, play- ers were encouraged to hang around for food, drinks, door SET2SERVE (AUSTIN) prizes, and the sharing of stories reminiscent of the wooden racquet days of tennis. TOMBALL (HOUSTON AREA) With smiles on their faces and a confident bounce in their step, players traveled home, half signing up for ongo- AND 2 REVITALIZED CTAS! ing programming and several others inquiring about a USTA membership, all leaving behind the promise that KATCH (KELLER ALLIANCE TENNIS CHARTER) it would not be another 20 years before they picked up a RIO GRANDE VALLEY CTA racquet again.

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 37 College news

texas section his is an exciting year for Texas juniors who will be Tattending college in the fall. Both of the boys’ and girls’ boost a top recruit that will be attending two of the top programs in the nation. Megan Alexander, of Dallas, will be attending the University of Florida. The Florida Gators lost in the NCAA Championship semifi- nals to the eventual champions. The Gators finished the season ranked #2 in the Final National Poll. Roland Thornqvist, coach of the Gators, said, “Megan is one of the best athletes we have ever recruited. Not only does she have tremendous potential to become a great Gator, but she is the type of athlete and person who makes oth- ers around her better.” Alexander is considered the number one recruit by tennisrecruiting.net. On the boys’ side, Jamie Hunt of San Antonio will be attending Megan Alexander Jamie Hunt the University of Georgia in the fall. The Georgia Bulldogs lost in the finals of the NCAA Championships. Despite the loss, (Leander), Air Force; Matt Glasgow (Sugar Land), St. Joseph’s; the Bulldogs were ranked #1 in the Final National Poll. Devin Harley (Nederland), Lamar; Luke Hawk (Clyde), Abilene According to the Tennis Recruiting Network, the Georgia Christian; Collin Helton (Fort Worth), East Central; P.J. Hendrie Bulldogs have the number one recruiting class for the (New Braunfels), St. Louis; Jamie Hunt (San Antonio), Georgia; 2006/2007 season. The Tennis Recruiting Network also has Alexander Kharkevitch (Houston), Illinois; Cameron King (Missouri Hunt as the number three recruit for the year. City), UT Dallas; Vivian King (Sugar Land), Army; Rachel Knight The USTA Texas Section would like to congratulate these, (Austin), Air Force; Sarah Lancaster (San Antonio), Texas; Lauren and every other Texas junior, who has chosen to continue Lui (Houston), Northwestern; Sanaz Marand (Katy), North their tennis career into college. The hard work and determi- Carolina; Katelyn McKenzie (Dallas), Missouri; Samuel Miers nation they have shown throughout their careers in Texas (Abilene), Hardin Simmons; Jonathan Moreno (Houston), Rhodes; has paid off. Good luck to you all! Matt Morrow (Burkburnett), Southwestern; Nina Munch-Soegaard (Amarillo), TCU; Varun Munjal (Lake Jackson), Trinity; Eric Olson If there are ommissions or errors, contact Renae Friedrichsen (Dallas), Furman; Lyndsey Ottosen (Allen), Murray State; Dina at [email protected] include full name, Pavlin (San Antonio), Abilene Christian; Nyssa Peele (Austin), what college he/she is playing at, and his/her hometown. Rhode Island; Mary Pennington (San Antonio), Southwestern; Name (Hometown), College; Name (Hometown), College; Garrett (Dallas), Pomona-Pitzer; Dennis Polyakov (League Megan Alexander (Dallas), Florida; Timmy Allin (Dallas), Utah; City), Rice; Rebecca Row (Austin), University; Alexander David Ashlock (Arlington), UT Tyler; Brett Bernstein (Sugar Land), Sanborn (Houston), Northwestern; Rook Schellenberg (Dallas), UT Pan Am; Will Beuttenmuller (Dallas), Princeton; Bradley Bristow Texas; Ryan Schlacter (Dallas), Utah; Jordan Short (Spearman), (Sherman), Northern Arizona; Robert Bruner (Dallas), Furman; Central Arkansas; Lindsey Short (Spearman), Central Arkansas; Aaron Carpenter (Houston), Duke; Eva Ceja (Lubbock), Kenyon; Tyler Snedden (The Woodlands), Rhodes; Christopher Suciu Harrison Clare (Sachse), Drexel; Mary Crider (Georgetown), (San Antonio), Incarnate Word; Tyler Tarnasky (Dallas), Texas Nova SE; Regina Del Bosque (McAllen), St. Edward’s; Anna A&M; Simone Templeton (Austin), Oregon; Andrew Thompson Djananova (Houston), Houston; Stephanie Douglas (Kingwood), (San Antonio), Brevard; Clayton Turcotte (Corpus Christi), Brevard; Kody Duplechin (Bridge City), Lamar; Emily Ellis (Fort Trinity; Elizabeth Warnack (Dallas), Dartmouth; Jessica Wente Worth), Brown; Erica Engberg (San Antonio), Incarnate Word; (Whitehouse), Florida State; Jon Wiegand (San Antonio), Texas; Kyle Faber (Arlington), UT Dallas; Pavithra Francis (Highland Zena Williams (Bellaire), Texas A&M - CC; Elizabeth Wood Village), SMU; Andrew Freeman (Plano), Methodist; Michael Gies (Spring), Mississippi; Joshua Zavala (Amarillo), Texas.

38 tennislifemagazine october 2006 texas section texas section CassCass LeavesLeaves A&M A&M

im Cass, who spent the last 10 years as Texas A&M’s men’s tennis coach, is Tleaving the school to accept the posi- tion of Senior Associate Athletic Director at his alma mater New Mexico. Cass, an eight-time coach of the year and USTA Texas Section Executive Committee mem- ber, said his decision to leave A&M was dif- ficult, but the chance to serve his alma mater as a senior associate athletic director under the new leadership of athletic director Paul Krebs and to have his wife and two children closer to other family near UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque was very important. “You never know when a great opportunity like this will come along and the timing was right for me and my family at this point in my career,” Cass said. “Because it’s my alma mater I think it makes this transition extra special.” In 10 seasons at the A&M helm, Cass guided the Aggies to unprecedented success. He won a school best 70 percent of his dual Tim Cass matches for a 196-84 record while winning a regular season Big 12 Championship in 2000 and three postseason league titles (1998, 2000, 2001). He guided the Aggies to the NCAA Championships each season and advanced to the final 16 during six of the last seven seasons, one of two teams (UCLA) in the nation to accomplish that feat from 2000-05. Cass also cited concerns about the direction that college tennis was taking in regard to the growing number of teams using predominately internationally-based student-athletes. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say the state of college tennis has concerned me, especially the last five years,” Cass said. “I’ve always supported having international players on my teams, but I’ve fought hard on controlling the shear num- bers that have entered our sport. I’m proud that we have had a string of very successful international players at A&M and I’m proud that we were able use a large percentage of American players to make up our roster. Our program has been recognized and rewarded for that.” An 18-year head coach on the division one level, Cass compiled a 323-170 overall record during tenures at A&M (1997-2006) and New Mexico (1989-96). While at A&M, Cass helped develop the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center and continued the facility’s enhancements which allowed the school to host the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships in 2002 and 2005. A&M will host the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Championships in 2009. “Not only will the leadership of the USTA Texas Section miss Tim’s contributions to the Executive Committee, but all of Texas tennis will miss his attention, care, and inno- vation to community,” says USTA Texas Section Executive Director Ken McAllister. “We sincerely wish him the best at UNM.”

Visit us online at: www.texas.usta.com 39 Pro circuit

texas section shley Weinhold added to her amazing summer, winning her first professional singles title capturing the Fidelity- Southlake $10,000 Professional Tennis Classic at the Southlake Tennis Center. A Weinhold defeated Helena Besovic in the final 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. She had defeated Nicole Leimbach 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals. She was also named the USTA Pro Circuit Player of the Week. Weinhold’s Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings jumped to 562nd in singles and 582nd in doubles (as of July 31). The just recently turned 17-year old Weinhold almost made it a double, when she and Nina Munch-Soegaard reached the finals of the doubles. The pair topped second seeded Blair Jones and Biffy Kaufman, 7-5, 6-3 in the semifinals before falling to Dominika Dieskova and Courtney Nagle, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the championship. Weinhold has already won two professional doubles titles this summer, in Edmond, Okklahoma and Houston. In singles, the second-seeded Munch-Soegaard fell to Ellah Nze, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Munch-Soegaard, who lives in Amarillo and will play for TCU in the fall now represents Norway.

League news

he USTA League Tennis Texas Section Championships Qualifying Tournament took place July 7-9 in TAbilene. Hot weather didn’t damper the fun of good competitive play, Chrysler test drives or socializing at Rose Park Tennis Center. Chrysler even handed out CDs with reci- pes and free hats and visors to those who took a test drive. Coming out on top as qualifiers advancing to the Texas Section Championships in Dallas were: Kevin Milton’s Wichita Falls 4.5 men; Cynthia Lacy’s College Station ladies won the 4.0 division; Shellie Smyser’s 3.5 Abilene ladies topped the 3.5 ladies competition as did Abilene’s 3.0 ladies captained by Sheryl Kendrick and Karen Wilkins; Abilene’s 2.5 ladies, captained by Rebekah Davis took the 2.5 crown; Kerrville brought home the winnings in 3.0 and 3.5 men cap- tained by Richard Thomas and Dick Howell, respectively. The Qualifying Tournament is an excellent opportunity for league players from smaller communities to compete for sectional and national championships.

40 tennislifemagazine october 2006