Muterspaw Championships News
April 2002 &2003
Muterspaw National Junior Tournament is brought to Las Vegas by Andre Agassi and his foundation in honor of the memory of the two Muterspaw boys who passed away. The youngest brother Joshua, at eighteen died of cancer, then just two years ago the oldest brother Jason died in a car accident. They were both very much involved in junior tennis, playing along side Andre Agassi as kids in Las Vegas. Both brothers were ranked players and achieved High School All-American status. Jason went to the University of Utah on a full tennis scholarship.
"They were very much a part of tennis in Las Vegas" Mrs. Muterspaw explained. " and competed all over the country, so when Jason died in a car accident, Andre, who's been a friend of my children's wanted to do something to always have Jason and Joshua remembered in the game of tennis, so they created this wonderful tournament called the Muterspaw Championships." The boy that wins the eighteen's will receive a wild card into the Professional 2003 Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic and the girl who wins eighteen's will receive a wild card slot into the qualifying draw of the professional tennis 2003 State Farm Women’s Tennis Classic held in April in Scottsdale Arizona. Andre Agassi also donated $10,000.00 to the school of medicine in Josh's name and $10, 000.00 to the school of business in Jason's name, all from the proceeds of the tournament.
This is the tournaments third year and it was a great success, filled beyond capacity with 256 players from more then 26 different states and at least 5 different Country's. There was a waiting list to get in. It puts Las Vegas Junior Tennis on the map nationally. And the organizers set it up so the top boy and girl from Las Vegas in each age group can get an automatic spot in the tournament, ensuring a place for Las Vegas juniors, even if they are not ranked the top 32 in the country.
There are certain principles that govern one's
life that can be developed on the tennis court and in tournaments like this. As
Mrs. Muterspaw said , her son would have that "Look in his eye" when he played
tennis and she knew, whether it was 1-5 or 5-1 that he was going to win that
match. A look of awareness, alert, ready and living life to the fullest, often
times on the tennis court and this tournament has become the Intermountain's
first national tournament with that spirit in mind. Where players and fans alike
can come out of the day to day worries and get that look in their eye, and live
life to the fullest. The time is now.
And to punctuate this lively spirit opening day was a Nevada day, full of wind, sun and cool breeze. The excuses were plentiful, but in the end you either had that "Look in your eye" or were found wanting.
The tournament sites were all over town, but the finals were at UNLV on Sunday. In the end there were two Las Vegas players that made it to the coveted finals of this National tournament... Stan Breland and Asia Muhammad. Ironically, it was TEAM AGASSI, that represented Nevada in the finals of this National tournament brought to Nevada from the Andre Agassi Foundation.
2003 results...Playing in the boy's 12 and under final is the spirited Stan Breland, playing Spencer Smith, a boy he has played and beaten numerous times. Yet each day is a new day and the competition is tough and can not be under estimated. Spencer did a good job of keeping the pace mixed up, hitting high , low pace top spin, only to wait his turn and put shots away. Stan , a quick and high paced player, did well to adjust and acquire the patience needed to play that kind of match, but in the end Spencer played very well and won in the second set tie breaker with and excellent last point to the back left corner.
UNLV was a great venue to see the games and topping this off was the performance of local , now National standout Asia Muhammad. Ronald her father, and new TEAM AGASSI coach Tim Blenkiron, were court side watching each and every point and seeing Asia put together a nice two set win. Asia just won the Easter Circuit and is playing some nice tennis. It has always been a pleasure to see the TEAM AGASSI players represented at these local, sectional and national events, not only because of their stellar play, but because of the interest their family's and friends take in the game. Ronald Muhammad for example stayed for hours after his daughter left just to watch the matches of players he barely knew. I myself can understand this innate interest in the game and the many principles that get played out over and over again, but each time like it was the first.
The TEAM Agassi program is taking on a new chapter, now with NCAA player and coach Tim Blenkiron. When I heard that Ki Kroll was leaving TEAM AGASSI, I thought it would be difficult to replace him. He was a perfect fit and did a nice job at taking players from beginning to National junior champions. But when I heard the possibility of Tim Blinkeron, I knew he was one coach that could continue the success that is being garnered and instilled over on Washington and Martin Luther.
He chose to leave a near perfect environment at Canyon Gate where his following is very strong, to open a new chapter in his life with the TEAM AGASSI players and their family's. We can all sit back and watch as this TEAM develops and as each player as an individual develops over the years in Las Vegas tennis... and I have all that progression all on video.. and one day it may make for a nice story. Until then you can read chapter by chapter here on VegasTennis.com.
Below is the review from last year's tournament.
Good day.
YEAR 2002 REVIEW.....
The wind was such that you could embrace it or let the perceived discomfort take you over. Cameron Parker of Las Vegas saw this as the "Great equalizer", using the home court and home wind advantage to his favor using it to sail into the Quarterfinals. While some whined he wailed well placed balls carefully in bounds, and out-stroked his opponents, 4 sets to zero. Cameron who won the State title last year is back from injury, winning both opening day matches to reach the quarterfinals in the boys 16 and under. In the first round he defeated Tennis Academy trained Ryan Rifkin from Northern California 6-3, 7-5. Then he defeated Milos Ogrizovic in the second round 6-2, 7-5. Cameron lost in the quarterfinals to the third seed Paul Koenke (3) from Denver Colorado in one of the closest matches of this tournament, 6-3; 0-6; 7-5. He then lost in the quarterfinals of the consolation draw in a very close match. His opponent Alex Lane from Upland California won the first set 6-3. Cameron won the second set 6-3. Then he lost in the match deciding tie breaker.
Christian E Thompson (1)... Sabrina Capannolo
....
Jamie L Marshall ..
Sabrina Capannolo reached the second round by defeating
Julie Schmandt, from Santa Barbara
California 6-1, 6-0. In the second round
she met Nationally ranked Christian Thompson who is the number one seed in the
tournament and had a bye the first round. Another Las Vegas player in the girls
18 and under is Jamie Marshall. The first time I saw Jamie I could not imagine a player beating her, she had
power and placement that was odd to see in a young form. Then I taped her Easter
Circuit tournament finalist match
against Sabrina Capannolo, and Sabrina won 6-4, 6-1. At
this point I could not imagine what type of tennis game would beat Sabrina. Then
today I taped Christian Thompson, and she defeated Sabrina after a hard fought match where I
noticed Sabrina playing very well, hitting great, almost UN-getable shots,
returning with speed and placement and
creating situations where she could put
away balls, but this Christian doesn't quit. She chased down every ball and
rarely allowed Sabrina's good play to be rewarded with a game. Even when Sabrina
would have her add, numerous times, Christian would bring it back to deuce, and
bring it back to deuce, and bring it back to deuce, and then eventually to her
add, then Sabrina would bring it back to deuce, then in the end to Christian's
add and eventually her game. At one point, Christian had Sabrina down 5-2 in the
first set and Sabrina came back to tie it 5-5, but not back enough. It seemed no
matter how well Sabrina played, Christian played better, defeating Sabrina 7-5,
6-2. Her sister, Catrina Thompson, who is seeded 4th, knew it was right to let her shoulder heal and has
withdrawn from this tournament. Both girls have been in numerous National
Tournaments, including making it to the finals in girls doubles at the Easter
Bowl 2001, and winning Super national tournaments as a doubles team. Christian
has made it to the quarterfinals in numerous super national tournaments,
including the Easter Bowl 2002. They go to Bishop Gorman and play for Gordon Mammond on the tennis team.
Side note....Jamie L Marshall lost in the first round
in a very tight match...6-4; 4-6; 6-3 to Kendall Murphy of Lake Forest,
Illinois.
Christian Thompson was stopped in the
quarterfinals in a very close match against the seventh seed Brittany Reitz
of Newport Coast, California 6-4; 2-6; 6-3 . She made it to the semi finals in
the consolation round and then the finals by beating a 13 year old sensation
Karina Porushkevich from Russia who
had just returned from playing on the United States national Team. And in the
Finals she met the number eight seed Megan Muth from Covington, Louisiana. This was a put away match. No long friendly rally's. Once the
opportunity for a winner was presented, neither player hesitated to whack away.
The first set went to a tie breaker after Christian came back from being down
4-1. She explained "In the tie breaker I was just trying to stay calm,
because I was getting mad there at 6-5." Christian then
dominated the tie breaker to win the first set. She won the second set
with less trouble 6-3. It was not a blow out. In fact many times it looked like
Megan was winning the match, but it seems Christian plays at her best when
backed up against a wall, Like a bow that is pulled back then flings forward.
Both players did not quit on the ball and made some amazing running shots,
keeping the ball in play and at times down the line for a winner. I have it all
on tape, but that will not be available to view until I edit it and encode it
for the web. So in the end the final match of the consolation draw was won by
Christian Thompson, with her family on hand to witness the event, along with
family friend and high school tennis coach Gordon Hammond and his family. Some
other spectators were Spanish Trails tennis pro Dan Knight along with
Christian's Bishop Gorman Tennis Teammate Allison Davis who came to see good
tennis. An interesting pivotal moment in the match was at 2-2 in the
second set when Megan was serving and she lost focus, and in being unaware,
served to Christian while she had her head down not ready. And just as she
looked up the ball had already been served and Christian out of reflex just
stabbed at the ball, sending it back to Megan, much like a change up in
baseball, it had no speed to it, and Megan, use to hitting the other balls with
pace, hit this one way out giving Christian the point and break point at that.
Christian took advantage of this opening by winning that break, the first break
Christian had in the second set. From that point forward Megan only won one more
game. It is all on tape. To sign up to be notified when the video is ready fill
out the form below.
 |
     |
 |
||||||||
 |
|
 |
||||||||
 |
   |
 |
||||||||
This tournament is not your grandmothers junior tennis. This was a massive national tournament, the first of it's kind in the Intermountain section of the United States Tennis Association. The top 32 players in the nation are invited in each age group to compete for the national rankings. Players were from Michigan, Russia, the country of Georgia, the state of California, Illinois, Florida, Utah, Vernon BC, Idaho, Arizona, Hawaii, Wyoming, Ohio, Colorado, Louisiana, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Kansas City, Maryland, Nebraska, West Vancouver BC, Minnesota, Ewa Beach Hawaii, North Carolina, Virginia, State of Georgia, Montana, Missouri, New York and a number of players from a variety of other countries who train in the United states. Various Tennis academy's brought in teams of players to compete, including Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida and The Weil tennis Academy in California. There was one player who, at 13 was playing in the eighteen and under category. She just returned from playing for the United states national team in 14 and under. But she was defeated by Las Vegas standout Christian Thompson in the consolation draw.
Local players
Other local stand outs were Sheryl Bon (7) who defeated two opponents on her way to a seat at the quarterfinals in girls 12 and under. This among a field of some of the best players in the country for her age group, with some players from other country's as well.
Asia Muhammad (5) also, in the girls 12 and under, made it to the quarterfinals by defeating a TEAM AGASSI member Julia Baltos, who was the Easter circuit champion. At the end of the match the two were getting on as if they were never opponents. They must see the secret that the opponent is oneself. Asia lost in the quarterfinals in a tough 3 set match, with the final score going to Sarah Cohen (2) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 from Los Angeles, California.
Asia Muhammad and Sheryl Bon have made it to the Semifinals in the girls 12 and under consolation draw. Asia played on center court at Spanish trail for a great semifinal match against Bollettieri Tennis Academy student, and third seed Nachell Proctor (3), who was surprised by Asia's no quit game. She exclaimed, "She is definitely the best player I have played at this tournament." Asia went neck and neck with this girl, forcing her to win two tie breakers to get to the finals. What made her tough was the attitude of going for big shots on match point more then once. Unlike some players who hesitate when it is add out, she took that opportunity to go for the winner. And each time it worked. But in the end the girl from Florida, Nachell Proctor, won 7-6, 7-6. This girl went on to defeat Jessica Young, the six seed from Bloomfield, MI, 6-2, 6-2 in the final to become the consolation draw champion.
A number of Las Vegas Tennis league players were having their matches as well on adjacent courts, and were delighted to get the chance to view some Junior Tennis. And what they found out is that Junior Tennis is not junior tennis, but quick, hard hitting and a competitive game that can be just as entertaining to view as seeing any professional match on TV, and in many ways better. This web site, along with it's many other functions will serve as a place where you can find junior, senior, men's and ladies tennis news and posts on upcoming events. If you want to get on the mailing list fill out the contact form above or e-mail me at VegasTennisMail@yahoo.com. You may also participate by submitting pictures, game notes, articles, commentary and a listing of the events you are having at your club, team league or school.
Sheryl Bon played Jessica Young, the six seed from Bloomfield, MI, in the semi finals and it looked like she was going to have her seat in the final as she won the first set, then lost the last two in a very close match.
Chris Savanapridi lost in the first round in the third set in a well fought match, with add/deuce going back and forth with long well placed volleys. This was a great match.
Ryan T Gormley (7) makes it to the quarterfinals with ease in the boys 14 and under, but was unable to move past the number three seed Kellen Damico (3) from Parker, Colorado. In the consolation round Ryan made it to the semifinals and played the number one seed Steven J Forman (1) from Del Mar California.
Farwa Husain won her first match and lost a very close second match against the second seeded player Sarah Cohen (2) from Los Angeles California, 7-5, 6-4. She then made it to the quarterfinals in the Consolation draw by defeating Kenzie Knop of Colorado Springs, CO 6-0, 6-0 and then by defeating the same girl that defeated her in the Easter Circuit Junior tournament weeks ago, Julia Baltos of TEAM Agassi. This time Farwa won 6-2, 6-2. She then lost a very close match in the quarterfinals to the six seeded player Jessica Young from Bloomfield, MI , 6-4; 6-4.
Bryan Miller makes it to the 12 and under boys quarterfinals.
Lew Deleon won his first match in a three set duel.. 6-4; 3-6; 6-3 against Adam Loucks from Irvine California, but was defeated in his second match by Jason T Nguyen (7) from Chatsworth California.
David Nichols made the number eight seed fight for his win with a three set loss after winning the first set 6-0 and losing the second set 6-4.
Candynce Boney, Brittany Hanna , Cristala Andrews (7) and Dominique Aubry all made it to the second round but were all stopped in their tracks as if by an imaginary wall that only allowed Las Vegas best past the first round. Cristala Andrews made it to the quarterfinals in the consolation draw by defeating Dominique Aubry 6-4, 6-1. Dominique had beaten Cristala 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 to reach the finals of the Easter Circuit weeks ago, but today the tables were turned.
The tournament Director is Sandy Foley of the
Nevada Tennis Association and the tournament referee was Jan Ryan. For more
information you can contact Sandy at the Nevada Tennis Association at 2860 East
Flamingo Road, Suite I
Las Vegas, NV 89121 - (702) 792-8384 | (702) 792-8737 (FAX).
Click here to see MutterSpaw Draw
www.MuterspawChampionships.com