Nevada Tennis Association awards
ceremony....
By Ryan Wolfington 2-20-01
Tonight The
Nevada Tennis Association Board members and staff put together the annual awards
diner at the Tournament players club's James Cashman Golf house. Adults and
juniors were coupled together this year to , as Sandy Foley put it..."Let
the juniors know there are adult players out there and to let the adult players
know there are juniors out there." There was standing room only and the event
went off perfectly with parents, players, captains, coaches, NTA staff
and the Nevada Tennis Association board members all gathering to address
the meaningful principles and accomplishments this game has provided for the
young and the old throughout this past year. and now.
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of the photographs are on the site yet. To be notified when the photos are ready to view or purchase submit your e-mail
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Part
of these accomplishments included listing each and every junior player who has
was ranked in the top five of their age group. Captains from adult teams were
mentioned along with their teams that not only won District Championships, then
Sectional championships, but took their respective teams to Nationals. It is
often the willingness of individuals to stand up and make something happen that
gives life meaning. The United States Tennis Association was a grass roots
organization founded by a few individuals who saw a need and filled it;
Who had an idea and did it. Or more simply, were led to start a tennis team, a
new tournament format, a new website, new programs, new ways of playing
and promoting the game; Ways in which to make it more accessible and inviting.
One
such story this evening was about one man, George Mc
Call, who with his own time
and finances began the foundation of what has become a significant organization
that invites and promotes the game of tennis in inner cities and places it once
was rarely found. George at one time was Commissioner of World Team Tennis, was
part of the Davis Cup team, but most importantly saw how tennis is more then
just a game but something that strikes at the heart of individuals, one match at
a time. And expressing this vision perfectly was Sid
Franklin, who was a great
ambassador of George's vision as he described the game of tennis as something
that not only develops children "physically and psychologically but
spiritually" as well. And this is right , because the principles the
players enjoy out on the court can stay with them for a lifetime and get them
through some of the varied other matches in life.
George
was unable to make it tonight but sent in his place a person who spoke from the
heart about how much tennis has touched his life and the deeper meaning he has
seen it reflect on the players he has worked with. And this sentiment was echoed
strongly by Darlene Lang, who years ago started as a captain of a league team,
and by following what she knew was right, got involved in what she was led
to do and has enjoyed each bit of it. So much so that when she was given the
"Darlene Lang" Volunteer of the year award, it's first annual after
her own name, she simply stated, "I can't believe they give out rewards for
doing what you love to do." It is obvious to Darlene it is not work but an
adventure she is having and she mentioned her husband as the co-recipient as she
realizes that his support, and participation in her activities has been
paramount. Life is like a doubles match, and your partner , by just staying true
can play a significant role making your winning match a win for them too.
Recognizing
this doubles match in life was Tim Blenkiron who
received the
"Development coach of the year award." Tim's
speech was
recognizing that his doubles partner was his wife and that she was doing her
part in making the team a success. And Tim is use to winning teams as his was
the NCAA champions in 1997 with Luke Smith and had an equally colorful career in
Australia as a junior starting tennis as early as 3 years old. And what I notice
about Tim is he is not tired of it. He is still in the game, so much so that he
has won every open doubles tournament he has entered this year and is playing in
the Spanish Trail Open tournament this weekend, the open draw of which is being
promoted and sponsored by VegasTennis.com.
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Juniors.....Next
tournament |
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Desert
Palm March Madness Next
week February 26th - March 2nd
This
draw is getting huge! 168 entry's so
far and counting. The
doubles draw is huge, the quality of player
is excellent with players like Chris
Wilson Dean Stavri,
Cristala Andrews, Rishi Daulat, Asia
Muhammad, Stan Breland, Jasmine Muhammad,
Candynce Boney, Brandon Parker, Brian
Kenyon, Kristofer Yee, Cameron Linden, Ian
Magid, Alec Runyon, Estefania Serrano,
Valerie Shively, Aashish Daulat,
Maximillian Chesnoff, Gabrielle
Gibson, Patrick Kawka, Jimmy Lovett and many
more. Most of all, most of the players are
playing doubles due to VegasTennis.com's
double draw promotion. Now the better
players in town have a draw worth
entering. |
VegasTennis.com
has also pulled the adult open players together to bring back open tennis play
to the valley. It started with Tim Blenkiron's monthly mini open tournaments,
then just recently he
took a significant role in helping me put together the largest open draw of the
year at Bally's and now even larger at Spanish Trail. (See
Bally's open tournament page, draw and photos.)
When I told him of the event I wanted to put together Tim showed enthusiasm, instead of doubting and saying no, no,..
he said yes, yes, it can be done and let's do it. And it is this attitude
which is the foundation of the junior program he has built at Canyon Gate. The
program is a who's who in Las Vegas Junior tennis, with Chris Wilson, Cristala Andrews, Rishi
Daulat, Estefania Serrano, Aashish Daulat, Shauna Morgan, and many others.
In addition he is a key part of the Nevada Tennis Associations CTC program which
works with and develops the top juniors in town.
Local Junior highlights of the week...Feb
20, 2003.. see
more local tennis news in the Breaking news section on the main home page
or by CLICKING HERE Asia
Muhammad wins 64 Draw National in Claremont beating number one seed Thien-Trang
N. Nguyen from Long Beach California, click to see draw.
Julia Baltas wins the ITA sweetheart circuit
tournament for girls 14 and under.Julia was just given an award for being ranked
3rd in the girls12 and under and 4th in the 14 and under. In
the Sweetheart Circuit Veronica Kawka finished 6th place, losing in
three sets of the 5th/6th final. She lost the first set 6-2, and John
Baltas said she was down 5-0 in the second, then came back and won 7
straight games, but lost in the tie breaker. Ryan Gormley took 3rd place in the Intermountain
sweat heart 16's circuit in Boise Idaho..Alicia Karafa took 5th in her
tournament... Alexis
Garrett made it to the finals in the Ogden Utah 12 under Intermountain
sweetheart circuit. Stan Breland makes round of 16's in round of 64
national draw in Claremont Cristala Andrews makes it to
round of 16 before losing to tournament winner Claire
Rietsch in singles, then she made it to the finals in doubles taking second place to
the same player. Christian and Catrina Thompson's played in a $25,000.00
Professional tennis challenger this past week and after at first being
nervous shook it off and came back in the first set to force a tie break
before losing it 7-6, and 6-3 in the second set. They felt they held their
own against a team with a Brazilian player who is ranked 228 in singles
and 208 in doubles, and her partner who was ranked 348 in doubles and 238
in singles. Click
here to see the The Columbus , Ohio Challenger draw.
You can come and watch the girls
play this weekend at the Spanish
Trail Open doubles as they
have been admitted into the Men's open draw to give them the
competition they need. Their first match is Saturday at 12:30 pm and the
second if they win at 5pm. see
more local tennis news in the Breaking news section on the main home page
or by CLICKING HERE |
Also
at Canyon
Gate is
Zdenek
Cernoch, who
has had great success in coaching and training with the young Alexis
Garrett.
Alexis at 9 years old has won local tournaments in each of the following
category's, girls 10's, girls 12's and just recently won her first tournament at
the Monte Carlo in the girls 14 and under. But her coach credits the young
player with a heart that won't quit and when you see her on the court you see a
very tough player out there. Her father also coaches his young girl and can
often be found hitting her balls and playing drills at Canyon Gate on any given
day; even at the cost of his own game as he plays 4.0 but rarely himself gets
out there hitting with men his own age; Because he is in another match that many
parents are in and that requires a 100% attention and focus. If you do something
why not a do it a 100% whether it is playing a match or doing what parents are
led to do. With Alexis Garrett getting rookie of the year, she
joined Brian Kenyon who also
received this award for the boys. Brian too has
thrived in local tournaments and is now ranked number 1 in the boys 12's. His
parents Deanna and
Kyle were on hand to enjoy the evening, and with added energy
as it was Kyle's birthday. Kyle also plays the game and it is for him what
sports is for a lot a people, a chance to get outside, enjoy the wind and clean
air; something about playing a game almost forces a person to come out of
the mental and into an awareness of now. A relief. A relief from "Thinking
" about this, that and the other things. Playing takes you to a place
showing you, almost like a barometer, of where you are always suppose to be.
And
enjoying the moment this evening was
Rob Merriman, as he can see in front of his
eyes one of the players in which he helped develop over at the
Mission Hills
tennis program that he,
Rick Storozick and
Saad Ashraaf put together. It was
just a few years ago, 2 maybe, that Brian Kenyon began and now he sees all the kids he has been working with all
season develop. It
is often that you will find Rob Merriman at the office and on the court at all
hours making a draw right, making the seeds correct, administering one program
or the other. But tonight he was enjoying the atmosphere and handing out the
awards to the players that he has been so involved with , if not up close then
from a distance.
| Boy's 10 and under |
Boy's 12 and under |
Boy's 14 and under |
1 CHESNOFF, MAXIMILLIA
2 KHAZATSKY, ANTHONY
3 YEE, KRISTOFER
4 FOLEY, BRIAN PATRICK
5 GUNTHER, RUTGER |
1 KENYON, BRIAN
2 KAWKA, PATRICK B.
3 AGUIAR, SPENCER
4 DAULAT, AASHISH
5 LOVETT, JIMMY |
1 BRELAND, STAN
2 YEGHNAZARY, RONY
3 NICHOLS, DAVID
4 RIBASTE, JONATHAN E.
5 CAMPO, BRETT |
And while this
Mission Hills tennis program is really taking off, and as excelled Canyon Gates
advanced junior program is doing,, and Kevin Bradley's ,
Alan Brown, and Michael
James tennis Academy is doing all by itself in Green valley, only one club can
be awarded Organization of the Year, and as
Sandy Foley put it, it is as much if
not completely the individuals that run the organization that make it great.
I
would have no idea why they chose Summerlin had
I not been there to drop off
a tournament poster just weeks ago and saw the Flocks of kids in their
"Monster Clinics" as Marty Hennessy would call it. The Clinics that
Marty once held at the Desert Inn are now on the rebound as some how Gordon
Hammond and Steve Landon have taken a fairly new operation and turned it into
the farm club for Nevada's tennis future. They have so many little kids out
there playing and starting the game it took three teaching professionals on
three separate courts to work with them all. And I thought Mission Hills was
thriving, and it is, but Summerlin was bursting with play. And it is just a
matter of time before these players grow up and develop into tournament players
like Mission Hills is starting to produce in Alicia Karafa, Alan Karafa, Brian
and Brandon Kenyon, Ally Kenny and many others. The
Kenny family , Mrs. Alamshaw, Marie
Clifford all were on hand to see their
daughter get her award. In fact Mary is playing in the Spanish Trail 3.5 doubles
tournament this weekend. To see details go to www.ST.VegasTennis.com
or click
here.
In
fact, Alicia Karafa , winning and reaching the finals in many local tournaments,
was awarded the junior most improved player of the year. Both her parents came
to support their daughter as they do all her events. In fact, Mrs.
Karafa
explained how the family just returned from the Sweetheart Circuit tournament
where Alicia took 5th place. She also went on to say how young Alexis Garrett
ate up the filed in the girls twelve's reaching the finals.
| Girls 10
and under |
Girls 12
and under |
Girls 14
and under |
1 TOTI, SARAH
2 RODRIGUEZ, VIRGINIE
3 ALAMSHAW, SARAH M.
4 SCHUSTER, ALEXYS
5 KENNEY, ALLY |
1 HUSAIN, FARWA
2 JAMES, IESHA
3 BALTOS, JULIA C.
4 JAMES, NATASHA
5 GARRETT, ALEXIS |
1 MUHAMMAD, ASIA
2 HUSAIN, FARWA
3 BONEY, CANDYNCE
4 BALTOS, JULIA C.
5 MARTINEZ, RAQUEL |
And
she is not the only junior who has thrived this week in junior tennis with Julia
Baltas winning the Intermountain sweetheart circuit tournament
and Stan Breland,
Asia Muhammad and Cristala Andrews all excelling in National events in
California. That is why many of the before mentioned players were unable to make
it tonight to receive their awards as a top five ranked player in their
respective age categories. Everyone knows the success the TEAM AGASSI program
has had when Ki Kroll was their coach, and the junior players were in California
with Stan Breland and Ronald Muhammad making sure that winning fire stays alive.
Jasmine Muhammad,
who is ranked number one in the girls 16's, Asia who is ranked number one in the
girls 14's , Candynce Boney
who is ranked third in the girl's 14's and Stan
Breland who is ranked 1 in the boy's 14
and under all are on TEAM Agassi. You can always come to VegasTennis.com
to read in the breaking news section
about the carious tennis events, young and old, and the latest tennis news. If
you go to the "Breaking
news" section of this site you
will see many articles on the adults and juniors one of which is about Asia
winning a National tournament this week. To see the draw circle the headline
below.
....BREAKING
NEWS...Asia
Muhammad wins 64 Draw National in Claremont beating number one seed Thien-Trang
N. Nguyen from Long Beach California, click to see draw
If
you are looking for a doubles partner to play in a tournament with or a player
to hit with, go to the "Find
a match"
section of the site.
Juniors, adults and open players have listed their names as willing to play and
at
the click of a mouse you can e-mail a player to see if they want to play. Or you
can watch video highlights of local events in the Video
section, see photos of the events
in the pictures
section, see the ranking by clicking the Nevada
Tennis Association
link, see
the tournament results, draw and play by play articles, high school tennis
notes, buy or sell items in the free
classifieds, advertise your product or
service or
just read the many "Psychology
of Tennis" articles and features.
Everything tennis in Las Vegas is on VegasTennis.com, and your
participation is welcome. Team, player, or tennis news along with your
insight is openly accepted and welcome. Just e-mail me at VegasTenniscom@aol.com or
call 822-1081. Grass roots participation is what makes the atmosphere awesome,
and if everyone does their part we all rise to greatness together.
| Boy's 16 and under |
Boy's 18 and under |
1 WHITING, LENNY
2 MILLER, BRYAN
3 URIARTE, MICHAEL
4 RUNYON, ALEC
5 CRAVEN, ANDREW |
1 YEGHNAZARY, ROMIK
2 STAVRI, DEAN W
3 SAVANAPRIDI, CHRIS C
4 URIARTE, MICHAEL
5 HARPER, JASON T. |
Also
mentioned numerous times were players from David
Pate's Bally's program, with Aziza
Aba Butain, who has dominated girls 16 and 18 doubles this year, winning
"Most promising Player", and
Jacquelyn Tang winning Junior Sportsman
award. Rob Merriman did a thorough job of not only handing out the awards but
interviewing the coaches and parents and players and coming up with detailed
descriptions to the players character and willingness to be great.
Jacquelyn
he pointed out has been a finalist and winner in many recent tournaments in
doubles with her partner Gabrielle Gibson.
Most notably was their performance in circuit number one where they won
the event.
Aziza
Aba Butain not only dominated Hennessy's last Stirling Club
Circuit, but has been accepted
into the draw at this years Easter Bowl. Her grandmother who is always by her
side and at every match, also was getting an award at another ceremony this
evening but chose to be with Aziza and experience this moment with her.
And this moment was connected to all that she has experienced in tennis, whether
it was pictures with Marty Hennessy, who helped get her started in the game or
with Estefania Serrano, as these girls trained together with
David Pate for
years and now they were receiving awards together as the top five player in
their age categories. For girls like these and players like Brian Miller, Rishi
Daulat, Stan Breland, Brandon Parker, VegasTennis.com is
starting to work with
local tennis professionals to promote and market their events to make sure that
each draw is worth it's while with all the best players in town competing. This
upcoming tournament at Desert Palm for example,
Howard Tubin and I are getting
the best players in the draw so these players can experience the tournament
match play that they have had to go out of town for in the past. There is no
reason why all the best players should not be pooled together regularly to
compete and all it takes is the willingness to make it happen.
| Girls 16
and under |
Girls 18
and under |
1 MUHAMMAD, JASMINE M.
2 ABABUTAIN, AZIZA
3 AUBRY, DOMINIQUE P
4 SERRANO, ESTEFANIA
5 MUHAMMAD, ASIA |
1 ABABUTAIN, AZIZA
2 DAVIS, ALLISON
3 SCHOFIELD, CARRIE
4 CORTEZ, DANA |
One
such player who is now walking into the ranks as contender is Lenny
Whiting, and
what is great about Lenny is what I wrote about his attitude just 8 or 9
months ago when he was losing at the Club
Sport Kick off. When
I interviewed him after the match it seemed like he had won, yet he revealed he
had lost but I saw a winner in this boys disposition. He was collected, in fact he
had enjoyed the whole thing. If one can not learn to lose with a winning
attitude then you can never win in the right way. Lenny has won the
"Sportsmanship award" for this very attitude that was apparent months
ago. He is also one
of the most improved players of the year , and this was before working with
Stephane Matheu-Cambas, who is the undisputed best open player in town, who
competes in the local events. Stephane is the assistant coach at UNLV and plays
professional tennis in the summers. He played professional on the tour for over
10 years before taking the job at UNLV and takes on only one or two players as
a coach. But he described his experience with Lenny as one of total satisfaction.
He never mentioned his strokes, although Lenny is now often a winner or
finalist in many local events. He only told me of the boys character. And in
reality that is all that matters, because when that forearm gets old, knees wear
out and the fans roll out of the seats, all you have is you and the knowing of
whether you did it right. Can you say at the end of each day... "My day had
heart," and know it? That is all that matters.
Also
filled with Colorful heart dresses were the Ingwaldson girls,
Danielle, Danica and Danae, who came this
evening with Dick Ingwaldson, their father to accept the Tennis family of the
year award. Each and every tournament these girl's and their father are a
constant presence, and as Ted Shively put it, they are delightful to have
around. Sitting in the pro shop one was reading , and the others playing or just
sitting, not an ounce of angst over the wait for their match. The girls tennis
play has been sponsored by the Christian City
Church, and their coach Leon
Vernon has been a steady and consistent presence in introducing them to the
game. These girls play a lot of tennis and the oldest Danielle wins many of the
events including just recently the Stirling
Club Junior Circuit. and
her younger sister Danae is still in the running to possibly tie for the girl's
10 and under circuit win.
The
Stirling
Club Junior Circuit is another example of taking an event and doing it
first class. From being led to put together a point system circuit to all the
hoops and challenges to make it happen, Marty Hennessy did it right. There is
always something that try's to make a person doubt the things they are led to do;
and many instead doing it, they discard what they know into the realm of unfinished
ideas and no's.
But Marty said yes, and by doing so took the idea that many of us have had and
made it a reality. From the high class stationary and tournament entry
forms to some clay court finals, doubles draws, stellar awards and an over all
willingness to do it right, not cutting one single corner, the event was this
years largest district tournament by far. Marty worked with VegasTennis.com to
promote his event with a tournament poster at each tennis club, event articles,
draw, photos, video highlights, circuit scoreboard and ads for the event for
weeks before the event.
To
see the The Stirling
Club Junior Circuit tournament page click here
This
junior circuit was the largest in his twenty plus year history of running
junior tennis event. But although the success of this event was not awarded
tonight, the tournament was mentioned in the backdrop of many awards. For the
most part, Marty's presence this evening was two fold. One to be there for the
awarding of "Most improved player of the year" to
Jonathan Ribaste,
who is not only his lifelong student in tennis but a friend of the family for
some time. Jonathan has grown dramatically this year physically, and many
have chosen him as the most improved in skill and play. And that is amongst a
very strong field, as you have Lenny Whiting, Gabrielle Gibson, Alexis Garrett,
Brian Kenyon, Brian Foley, Michael Uriarte, Joshua Thompson and many other kids
who have thrived this recent year. Yet in this crowd Jonathan, having won
many of the local tournaments, took the award this evening with Blain his
mother, her mother and his grandfather Lem Banker, on hand to watch.
Michael
Uriarte, who switched just last year from basketball to tennis, has
shot up in tennis simply by playing matches. He is often at Club Sport, and like
me when I was young, asking players to play. Yet few have his willingness so he
sits
idle. VegasTennis.com has a "Find
a match" for
players to find other juniors or adults to play with. In fact, there is an
A-List which allows anyone to contact most if not all the open players in town
and top juniors. Michael was surprised that he not only ranked 3rd in the boys
16's but won an award for being ranked 4th in the 18's. His mother took up the
sport after Michael inspired his whole family to get involved. Since she just
won the inter club championships at Club
Sport in singles and
doubles.
The
most promising player of the year, and another Canyon Gate player , is Rishi
Daulat, who dominates the field locally and has
thrived in the intermountain ranked 5th and is presently Nationally ranked #75.
Talking to his father this evening, although Rishi is one of the best players in
town , and is playing in the open draw at Spanish Trail adult tournament, he still plays local junior events.
He has always been a gentleman on the court matching his skill with poise. One
match I recall vividly was the excellent play earlier this summer with him and
Stan Breland who forced Rishi to play his best tennis. The better Stan played,
the better Rishi played.
Other players
like Cameron Parker and Aziza Aba Butain, who
still enter the draws to try and find play locally, are the foundation in which
a strong and competitive environment can be built. Just recently VegasTennis.com
is working with the local tennis professionals to
pull this talent together and get them all participating so the draws are not
something to snicker at, but to challenge. 10, 12 AND 14 and under tennis is
thriving, but to make the 16 and 18 draws excellent it takes making it happen.
And that is what Howard Tubin and I are doing in this next sanctioned tennis
event at Desert Palm, and that is what Marty Hennessy did at the Stirling Club
Circuit. Call me at 822-1018 to get in the draw. The deadline is this weekend or
e-mail me by
clicking here.. There to watch the awards were the whole
Daulat family, as young Aashish also got an award as he was ranked in the top
five locally.
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Presenting the Joshua ands
Jason Mutterspaw Award was Marty Hennessy. Marty got the boy's
started playing
tennis and watched them develop over the years with the various coaches they
worked with. Marty described the work ethic and raw talent these boys had,
thriving in not only tennis but golf, basketball and numerous other sports. But
what he said was most profound about the boys was their character.
Marty mentioned that Jason Mutterspaw in particular had
the amazing feat of never losing a tennis match in the intermountain
section, and often beat players who are now playing tennis professionally. Yet
what stood out to him was the camaraderie and grace in which they carried
themselves and how this attracted "Scores of people around them at all
times." Whether it was at home or at various events they apparently lit up a
room. Many of you, and I , did not know the young men before they moved on, but
from what Marty says they have made a significant impact on him and on others.
Marty mentioned also the impact coaches like Jeff Foley
at Red Rock had on the
boys tennis game and the impact tennis had on their lives. And one illustration
as to the impact the boys had on Mike Baskin's life was
his choice to name his first son Joshua Christopher Baskin.
Mrs.
Mutterspaw was
the recipient of this first annual award and as a trophy the Nevada Tennis
Association created a plaque out of the various trophies and ribbons the boys
amassed over the years. For those who do not know, the Mutterspaw National
Championships is a tournament named after these boys, and was created by the
Andre Agassi Foundation, who Marty said "went to
bat at the USTA to make it a reality."
This tournament is the highest level junior tournament each year in Nevada with
players from all over the county competing, the winner of which gets an entry
into a professional tennis tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona. To read more
about this event, and more so, the story of Joshua, Jason and Mr. and Mrs.
Mutterspaw, click
her to read last springs article on the National Junior event.
Dan
Knight, the tennis professional at Spanish
Trail, and one of the tennis
statesmen of Las Vegas, told me parts of the story of these two young men and
how they use to play at his club. I have seen too how this web has extended to
Mike Baskin who is often at Dan's events and a part of that Spanish Trail
connection. Speaking of which this evening was the Draw party for their adult
tournament, one of the biggest of the year. In fact, many of the local tennis
professionals that were present this evening like Ken Shioi, Tom Blenkiron,
Robby Perlotty, Gordon Hammond, and others, are playing in the open draw. This
is the largest open draw in two years, maybe even more, and VegasTennis.com is
the promoter and sponsor of the open division, fielding teams and making sure the open
players are able to come together and find excellent competition.
Click
here to see SPANISH
TRAIL DOUBLES DRAW ..
Anyone is
welcome to come and watch the adult 2.5-open action this weekend. The open
matches begin Saturday at 12:20 through Sunday. The mixed doubles is Monday
through Wednesday evenings and singles is next Thursday through Sunday. I
recruited many of the junior players into the open draw. Here they can come
against the best in town in the doubles and mixed. Playing the mixed this week
is Tim Blenkiron who has won the event before with his partner Cristala Andrews.
Christian Thompson and Ken Shioi, Cristala Thompson
and her partner will be a
top team, some juniors like Gabrielle Gibson and
Brett Campo, along with
Jacquelyn Tang and Austin Schofield are playing, and why not? Now they can play
against the best and see where they fall short or may even thrive.
Speaking
of Austin, his sister Carrie, who is ever present at local events and was the
doubles state champion with Allison Davis, was on hand today. She was awarded in
two categories, top 5 ranking in the girls 16's and 18's. Her mother, Mrs.
Schofield, was
just recently voted onto the board of Directors at the Nevada Tennis
Association, of which was putting on this event.
Vegas
Tennis.com is on Fire!!!!!! 
Breaks 75,000
visits,... 18,000 original hits this year
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The
Nevada Tennis Association board are all
volunteers, and individuals who have made tennis a part of their life. They
have a love for the game and desire to see it be the best it can be, bringing it to
everyone in the community the most efficient and right way. And much of this is
done through the individual then collective efforts of the board members and
other local volunteers. Many of the board members were on hand this evening,
like Prinya Tipmongkol, who not only volunteers on
the board but is present at almost every NTA event, adult tournament and USA
team tennis as a player or captain. In fact, this evening he was part of two
teams that went to Nationals. Stacey Mc Gowen handed out numerous awards to
local captains like Dan Jackson of Red Rock who took his 4.0 team to nationals,
after winning districts and sectionals. Or Kim Springer
who, with the help of
her husband Mike, took her ladies 3.5 team from Red Rock all the way to
nationals as well. Dawn Farber, who is one of the best lady tennis players in
town, is also the team captain for the flamingo ladies 4.5
that went to
nationals. Don Curnutt was awarded but was still back at
Spanish Trail's
tournament party where I had just left him an hour earlier. He was with his
family enjoying the pre tournament event. His 7.0 mixed section champion
team from Ken Shioi's Tournament players Club was
awarded.
Ken
Shioi is another board member, who has been around in Las Vegas tennis for
years; not only winning local tournaments, but teaching tennis at Desert Palm
until eventually taking over at one of the best tennis clubs in town. It should be noted
that TPC may have a very reasonable tennis only membership.
Ken
has implemented many new ideas into the tennis program over there including
introducing new members on a bulletin board with their photo. He has a growing junior
program and innovative features like a point system for every tennis event they
play or participate in, exchangeable for merchandise in their shop. Ken has each
kid create a binder with other players names and numbers to play with. He has had
great success as the coach of one of the best players in town in Christian
and
Catrina Thompson. They have gotten so good, that I had them in the
open draw I
put together at Bally's and just recently Dan Knight let them in the open draw
at Spanish Trail. They will be playing the men's open draw in the first round
and maybe the second. Their first match is at 12:30 Saturday and second at
5:00pm if they win. In the Bally's open tournament I put together they won
their first match and lost the second three sets to an excellent team.
Other
board members are... the head of this evening's event Teresa Bowman who is
also the President of the board, also is
very involved in the game as is
her daughter. Shari Spencer is the Vice President,
Kathy Ashe is the Treasurer,
Debbie Davis is the Secretary,,
Gordon Hammond is a
very active board member, Bob Jamison, Susan McFarland,: Mark
Mummey, Bill Pollock,
and past President John Velier all reside on
the board. John for years has played at Desert Palm and has worked volunteering
in tennis.
I recall seeing him at Summerlin
earlier this year volunteering for Gordon's junior tournament and they do so not
for money or any other reason then they are led to. As Darlene Lang said, it is
amazing they give out rewards for doing something you love. I was just recently
reminded by Gordon that it was his Summerlin's junior tournament that
introduced me to junior tennis for the first time. I had created VegasTennis.com
for adult tennis, and saw a junior event flyer at the tennis courts and decided
to stop be and have a see. And what I found was a whole scene that I never knew
existed. So tonight, having the juniors and adults together, and having them
intertwined in the local tennis news here on VegasTennis.com,
let's players know there is a lot of tennis out there to experience. And all are
invited.
