USTA MIDDLE STATES Winter 08-09 • Volume III • Issue 3 AA ChampionshipChampionship JourneyJourney USTAUSTA LeagueLeague captainscaptains swapswap talestales ofof successsuccess Jr. Team Tennis National Championship Recap Inside! ADVERTISEMENT UNITED STATES PROFESIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION INVITES EVERYONE TO THE 2009 MIDDLE STATES TENNIS CONVENTION Reversing The Pyramid Friday & Saturday February 6 & 7 Hempfield Recreation Complex 950 Church Street Landisville, PA HIGHEST LEVEL AND RELEVANT EDUCATION NETWORKING WITH USPTA PRO’S AND FRIENDS OF USPTA MS HEADLINE SPEAKERS LEARN ABOUT... •Sustaining success through •Seeing the big picture reversing the pyramid •Technology •Creating connections •Opportunities knocking •Challenging assumptions •Diversification •Customer Service •Specialization •Expanding your career …ALONG WITH NEW DRILLS AND ON-COURT TRAINING WITH ATTENDEE PARTICIPATION Stan Oley Jack Groppel, Ph.D. Bill Mountford “2 days you won’t want to miss” For more information on USPTA Middle States Convention and to receive a conference Bill Kurtain Ed McQuillan Bruce Levine brochure contact Tim Irwin at 610-730-0042 or e-mail [email protected]. USTA MIDDLE STATES Winter 08-09 • Volume III • Issue 3 08 Cover Story 16 Jr. Team Tennis Departments A Championship Journey Making memories in Mobile. Five Jr. Seven USTA League Adult and Senior Team Tennis (JTT) teams represented 04 President’s Message teams finished in the top four of their the section at the JTT National respective divisions at the 2008 USTA Championship this fall. Find out how League presented by Chrysler National the teams fared, and what went down 07 Tennis Shorts Championships. A few of the team in The Port City. captains share their team’s approach to the season, and also, why they believe they 11 Membership were successful. 20 College Tennis Two section-based collegiate tennis 19 Junior Competition teams learned the true meaning 13 Diversity of “teamwork” at the Division II The Woodford Tennis Club (WTC) National Championships Festival. 24 Adult Competition celebrated a golden anniversary this fall. Learn what off-the-court experience The first African American tennis club left a lasting impression. on the East Coast, WTC has provided 25 Professional Tennis tennis opportunities to neighborhood children in Philadelphia for 50 years. 23 Tennis On Campus 28 Districts Lehigh University once again played host to the section’s premier • A tennis club in AMD aids the 15 Community Tennis On Campus event – the 2008 fight to Go Green! Development Campus Championship – Middle States. Pennsylvania State University • CPD tennis enthusiast Tom Two USTA Middle States members Sweitzer honored nationally received the prestigious Eve Kraft punched its ticket to Nationals, Community Service Award. The but it wasn’t the only team making • DD tennis resort honored by individuals have been honored headlines. TENNIS magazine for their commitment to serving underprivileged youth through • Several EPD members have a fall to remember the game of tennis. NETPLAY • NJD volunteer retires after 21 • years of USTA service WINTER 08-09 • PATD teens compete at the JTT National Championship • 610.935.5000 [email protected] 3 Published by USTA Middle States President’s Message Volume III Issue 3 Winter 08-09 Malcolm Riley Editorial To my Middle States family and friends, Nathaniel Harrison Marge McGann It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President for the last two years. During this time, we have celebrated many accomplishments, such as – the launch and successful immersion of Carrie Rupp QuickStart Tennis, the growth of the Tennis On Campus program and annual Section Championship, Ben Zislis and the positive response to the USTA No-Cut Program, which many school districts and coaches across the section have adopted. Contributors There are numerous people who played a role in these accomplishments. I would like to thank the Tom Benic volunteers, the Community Tennis Associations, and the District and Section leadership for their Kasey Connors tireless and beyond-the-call-of-duty dedication. Their efforts ensure we are able to encourage tennis for Brian Denis everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. Loretta DeWalt As I travel around the section, I marvel at the expressions of gratitude I have received from our members Andy Findlay for the programs and activities we provide. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the love that is Meghan Goodwin expressed when people speak to me about our dedicated Tennis Service Representatives and their value Jeffrey Harrison to USTA Middle States. I’ve become very humbled by these kind words. There is no “I” in “team”, for it Monique Holloway was the entire USTA Middle States team that made these last two years under my tenure- a success. For that, I offer to each and everyone my sincere appreciation for allowing me to lead such a great caliber of Karen Jennings tennis lovers. Ann LoPrinzi Richard Rauenzahn For the last year and a half, our staff has functioned under the accomplished leadership of Executive Director Malcolm Riley Marlynn Orlando. Not only has she made positive changes within the section, she has also changed, positively so, how we are perceived nationally. Her impact has been laudable and she deserves kudos. USTA Middle States Officers Although my tenure is over, I will continue to support the section as a member of the Board of Directors. President I am proud to pass the baton to our very Jeffrey Harrison capable new President, Jeffrey Harrison. I know you will support Jeff and his Senior Vice President leadership team as we continue to fulfill Patricia Weger our mission, “To promote and develop the growth of tennis.” Secretary Ellen V. Williams With gratitude and humility, Treasurer Malcolm Riley Ruth Roulston Print & Design Production Jeffrey Harrison Bentley Graphic Communications, Inc. Greetings tennis enthusiasts, Pottstown, Pa. www.bentleygraphics.com I’m honored to become the 42nd President of USTA Middle Malcolm Riley and Jeffrey Harrison States and I look forward to continuing the success that Malcolm Riley and the previous Presidents have instilled. I am excited about the possibilities the next two years USTA Middle States bring. Recently, the section has experienced tremendous growth in many of its programs, and with the 1288 Valley Forge Road leadership of the newly appointed Board of Directors, volunteers and staff, I look forward to continuing Suite 74, PO Box 987 this encouraging trend. Valley Forge, P.A. 19482 Middle States has been in my blood for more than 15 years. I played tennis at the University of Delaware, (610) 935-5000 then served the section in numerous capacities – from staff member, Community Tennis Association (610) 935-5484 (f) President, District President, Middle States Committee Chair and now, I am thrilled to be President. [email protected] middlestates.usta.com The mission of USTA Middle States is simple, “To promote and develop the growth of tennis,” and the goal for my tenure is simple too – to get more people, all people, on court. Cover I am looking forward to meeting and working with many of you to grow the game of tennis and to get Photo courtesy of USTA 4.0 Senior Men – Central PA District 610.935.5000 more people playing. Think BIG in 2009. • Left to Right: Doug Rohrer, James Ressler, Best Wishes, Bill Loercher, Bill Houseal, Mihail Anghel, Bruce Becker and J.D. Young WINTER 08-09 • Jeffrey Harrison 4 [email protected] NETPLAY NETPLAY District Guest columnist – Brian Denis Contributors Allegheny Mountain Contributor Tom Benic Central PA Contributor Richard Rauenzahn Every year at about the same time in the Northeast, trees start to change colors and leaves fall to the ground. The days begin to grow shorter, Delaware and shorts and T-shirts are replaced with sweatpants and sweatshirts to Contributor keep away the brisk air that has quickly grown frigid. Not only does this imagery remind us that autumn is coming and winter is almost upon us, Monique but it is also an indication that the outdoor tennis nets will be put away, Holloway and the local indoor tennis facilities will be buzzing with patrons. Upon moving indoors, tennis enthusiasts will find quite a few differences in their beloved pastime that parallel the climate changes that are occurring outside. At first glance, these disparities may seem tough to manage, but after a short adjustment period, your rhythm will gradually come back to you. Eastern PA The biggest adjustment of playing indoors is the weather, or lack thereof. Playing outdoors, the Contributor wind, sun, and background scenery, can all wreak havoc on any given day. Although different lightings and backdrops take time to get used to when moving indoors, neither player has to deal Loretta with the elements Mother Nature throws our way. DeWalt Varying surfaces are another peculiar item that indoor players are confronted with. Indoor surfaces can fluctuate from carpet, hard rubber, softer rubber, and even hard courts. With the carpet and rubber surfaces, the pace and height of the ball bounce can be extremely dissimilar to the slower, higher bounce one may find on an outdoor clay or hard court. It is often said that everything moves a lot quicker when you play tennis indoors. In many instances the ball does bounce faster, but playing in an enclosed area is a constant reminder that it is essential to build some anticipation into New Jersey your game to keep up. Inside, the ball will not usually wear down as quickly, in comparison to the Contributor friction most outdoor courts possess. Ann LoPrinzi When winter rolls around, scheduling is a major factor as to how much tennis one might play. To explain, many locations experience a shortage of indoor facilities, leading to a delicate situation of trying to reserve court time. Hopefully there is a club nearby that, even with all the winter contracts, league play, and junior programs going on, can still provide ample court time for anyone that needs to schedule a court.