Indianapolis NJTL continuing its mission both on and off the court
Indianapolis Tennis Magazine Fall/Winter 2012
Success at IHSAA finals comes in 3s • Greyhounds win 3rd straight team championship; Schneider scores singles tournament trifecta • Carmel’s Emhardt-Rodefeld dominate field enroute to doubles title News & Notes
Men’s 5.5 team wins USTA National title
Ad In
Who’s grooming our juniors for success?
(pro)file
IUPUI men’s tennis coach Brandon Currie
On Court
Stay out of trouble when playing mixed
contentsFall/Winter 2012 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
On the Cover: Brittany Horlacher, who played her high school tennis at Western Boone, had a 12-4 overall record this fall for Marian University women’s team while earning a spot on the All-
Crossroads Conference Team along with three teammates. Coach Cassie Mackell was also named Conference Coach of the Year. (Photo by Scott Cooper)
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Carmel boys’ over North Central for state title
Greyhounds top Panthers, 4-1, to win the IHSAA boys’ state team championship for the third consecutive season.
is singles champ; 16 Schneider Greyhound pair takes doubles
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Bloomington South senior becomes only the second player to win three straight IHSAA boys’ singles tournament finals, while Charlie Emhardt and Dan Rodefeld claim the doubles title for Carmel.
NJTL fostering the tennis dream 18 Indy for local youth
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the popular group continues to concentrate on its mission of developing character for local youth through tennis.
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hosts USTA/ITA Division III 21 Indy regional tournament
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Chappell reboots his tennis 22 Nick career at TCU Older, wiser, and a little more mature, the former North Central standout is finding his stride at the college level.
Plus… 4 Ad In – The support network surrounding top
juniors continues to grow
5 News & Notes – Local men’s 5.5 USTA team
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takes Nationals title
6 (pro)file – IUPUI men’s tennis coach
Brandon Currie
8 On Court – Playing mixed doubles? Use these
tips to maximize your chances for success.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
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Some of the best small college players in the Midwest hit the courts at North Central looking to qualify for a spot in the national tournament.
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PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY Publisher’s commentary The ‘village’ raising our juniors
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he Nigerian proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child”. But who’d have thought it would now apply to the development of top junior tennis players? In days gone by, parents who thought their kid had the right stuff would enlist the help of a local teaching pro to hone his/her skills. In some high-profile cases (Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert among others in an earlier generation), the kids didn’t have to look too far for their coaching and guidance. I distinctly remember a feature story about Connors that mentioned the practices with his mother – both of them relentlessly pounding overheads at each other for minutes on end. On the pro side, a look at the player’s box at tournaments reveals at least one coach, most likely a hitting partner, a nutritionist, and, in the case of Mardy Fish, a physiotherapist (Indy’s Christian LoCascio).
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Take a look at today’s up-and-coming juniors. With the accessibility to more tennis clubs and teaching pros, players are starting even younger while practicing longer and harder. Is attending school getting in the way of practices, travel and tournaments? No problem; there are online schools. The physical nature of today’s game, with its need for power and endurance, likely means a weekly trip or two to a local fitness training or sports performance facility. At the high school level, where there used to be a few minutes of static stretching, we now have dynamic warm-up – a higher intensity series of exercises designed to extend the range of motion of muscles through movement.
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And if the kid shows potential way beyond his/her years, watch out for the USTA to come calling. With the perceived downfall or degrading of American tennis on the pro circuit, the USTA saw the need to insert itself and its programs more into the development of top juniors and created USTA Player Development. Its mission is to “develop worldclass American players through a clearly-defined training structure and competitive pathway as well as through the implementation of a comprehensive coaching philosophy and structure.” In fact, one of the USTA’s Midwest Training Centers was located at the former Indianapolis Tennis Center. And, interestingly enough, the coaching philosophy was developed by former Spanish tennis star Jose Higueras. Of course, the USTA is looking for a long-term payback for its investments. After all, how much interest will there be among young people – and adults – to want to play tennis (and, more importantly, buy a USTA membership) if there aren’t any strong American players to root for in the major tournaments? So, how’s that working out so far? The first American male to be immersed in the program, Ryan Harrison, has a current ranking of 55 in the world, while the two top women, Christina McHale and Sloane Stephens, are ranked 30th and 38th, respectively. The dynamic and the pathway to potential tennis greatness have certainly changed. It still remains to be seen, in many cases, what kind of bang for the buck the parents – and the USTA – will ultimately receive.
Indianapolis Tennis Magazine PUBLISHER Scott D. Cooper Member, U.S. Tennis Writers Association ADVERTISING SALES Ilia Macdonald EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Earl Allen Megan Briscoe Fernandez Tom Jennings PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Indianapolis NJTL Tom Jennings Kristi Scotten USTA Washington Township Schools Tennis Program GRAPHIC DESIGN Nardi Art, LLC – Regina Nardi Bal-Bow Grafix – Terri Balon-Bowden For advertising information, call (317) 374-4995, (317) 918-0726 or email adsales@indytennismag.com
Indianapolis Tennis Magazine is published three times a year by Cooper Media Group, LLC Bargersville, Indiana Contact us at Indianapolis Tennis Magazine P.O. Box 21 Bargersville, IN 46106 (317) 918-0726; (317) 422-4559 fax; or e-mail to scott@indytennismag.com Material may not be used or reprinted without prior permission from Cooper Media Group, LLC. Copyright® 2012, Cooper Media Group, LLC www.indytennismag.com
Indianapolis Tennis Magazine and the Indianapolis Tennis Magazine logo are registered trademarks of Cooper Media Group, LLC. Indianapolis Tennis Magazine is the winner of Media Awards from the USTA/Midwest Section (2007) and Hamilton County Community Tennis Association (2008).
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TENNIS HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE AREA
Local team wins 5.5 title
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team based out of Indianapolis captured the men’s 5.5 title at the USTA League Tennis National Championships in Las Vegas in September. The team, captained by Rick Witsken and John Moorin and representing the USTA/Midwest Section, defeated the USTA/Southern Section, 2-1, in the championship match. Other team members are Colin Atkinson, Ricky Heath, Chris Zeilinga, David Bubenicek, Matt Schiller, John Stone, and Ryan Baxter. The team went 4-0 in its flight to advance to the semifinals, where it first defeated a Texas team before taking the final championship match. A 3.5 women’s team playing out of Butler University came oh-so-close to duplicating that accomplishment, losing a 3-2 decision in the finals of its National Championships in Tucson, Arizona. Captain Karen Griffiths’ team included Jen Neale, Tammy Embry, Abby Johantges, Jane Dunnivant, Allison Gritton, Pam Baxter, Bobbie Blachly, Liz Suscha, Jan Gentry, and Wendy Hamilton. A third local entry, a men’s 4.0 team captained by Craig Tammen, also advanced to the Nationals where it placed third in its sub-flight. Team members included Dan Albrecht, Matt Braun, Brad Coffin, Matt Dziadosz, Sean Keefer, Jeff Lingle, Greg Morrissey, Jim Mowry, Doug Roever, Travis Tetrault, Graham Wilson, David Zapp and Carson Zerkle. A Bill Bane-captained 3.5 senior men’s team also finished third in its subflight at the Nationals. Other team members were Mike Birch, Steve Fowler, Criss Horton, Matt Koenig, Joe Koval, Ken Matsumoto, Steve The men’s 5.5 team from Indianapolis that won Piepenbrink, Peter Pizarro, the USTA League National Championships. Jim Ruxer, and John (Photo courtesy of the USTA) Williams.
Local colleges say hello to new coaches
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he coaching carousel was in full-speed mode during the summer as changes were announced at several local colleges. Probably the biggest was at Butler University, where long-time coach Jason Suscha left after 15 seasons and nine Horizon League championships with the men’s and women’s programs to take the tennis director position at JCC Indy. The Bulldogs replaced him with a pair of Butler alums, Parker Ross (men) and with Tayo Bailey (women). Likewise, the men’s and women’s teams at UIndy were also looking for a new coach following the departure of John Venter. The Greyhounds went outside the program, going with former Indiana State and Austin Peay head coach Malik Tabet to head the UIndy men’s and women’s tennis programs, as well as serving as director of the UIndy Tennis Center. Tabet spent the last three seasons leading the men and women at Austin Peay, while also running the Governers Tennis Center. Tabet led the men to a 34-21 mark, while the women went 36-30 and won the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship to advance to the first NCAA Tournament in school history. The women’s position at IUPUI also became open following the resignation of Cameron Currie in late August. Longtime men’s assistant coach Pat Nickell was named interim coach for the 2012-13 season.
‘EntouRaj’ to feature 55th-ranked Brian Baker
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rian Baker, a frequent doubles partner of Rajeev Ram and the No. 55thranked player in the world, will be the featured pro at the third annual ‘EntouRaj for Kids’ fundraiser, to be held on Saturday, December 8, at Five Seasons Sports Club, 1300 East 96th Street. After having been sidelined with a variety of injuries, Baker had a breakout season this year, highlighted by a run to the Round of 16 at Wimbledon. Pros from local tennis clubs and champion junior players will join Brian and Rajeev for doubles matches before Brian and Rajeev square off in a singles match. Baker, who is the fifth highest-ranked American on the men’s tour, is the highest-ranked pro to participate in the The 2012 event will return to Five fundraiser. The two-hour event will begin at 5 p.m. with a meet-and-greet and Seasons Sports Club on December 8. autograph session with the pros following. Live and silent auctions will offer an (Photo by Scott Cooper) array of tennis memorabilia, including a tennis racket signed by Rafael Nadal. Food, drinks and souvenirs also will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the Hamilton County Community Tennis Association’s college scholarship and reading programs. To date, HCCTA has awarded more than $45,000 in college scholarships and donated more than 21,000 books to schools, libraries and hospitals both in Indianapolis and across the country. In the previous two events, EntouRaj has raised more than $23,000. Advanced-sale tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 18 and younger and can be purchased through www.hccta.org. Ticket prices will increase at the door.
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news & notes
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A CLOSER LOOK AT METRO INDY TEACHING PROS AND COACHES
Purring along Pieces for Jaguars men’s tennis program – and their coach – finally falling into place By Scott Cooper
here it is, in black and white – at number 16 on the list of the top mid-major men’s tennis recruiting classes for 2012 compiled by TennisRecruiting.net is… IUPUI. Better-known colleges such as Fresno State, Louisiana, Tulane and Xavier still fill most of the top half of the list, but for Coach Brandon Currie, the numbers tell the story of a program that is finally gaining some notice both locally and on the national stage.
CURRIE
Brandon
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Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Currie had the perfect tennis role model – his father, Jewel, who was the first African-American to win that city’s tennis championships. “He started playing when he was in high school, and introduced me to the game when I was about six or seven years old,” Currie said. He picked up the game very quickly and not only became one of the top players in the state, but also the Midwest.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
“What I enjoyed most about tennis was that it’s a thinking game,” he said. “There are no timeouts, no substitutions; it’s basically me versus you. Along with the strategies and the physical requirements, it basically encompasses everything with athletics. You have to be able to place the ball, use spin, and be able to attack weaknesses while using your strengths. Essentially, you have to use all facets of the game in order to accomplish what you’re trying to do.
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“And I’ve always been a competitive person,” Currie added. “Even if I’m playing a board game, I want to win. It’s still that ‘me versus you’ mentality. And even on your worst day, you’ve still got to figure out a way to win.” As he began climbing the junior rankings, Currie had a growth spurt while playing in the boys’ 16s which led him to change his game. “I went from being a baseliner to being a serve-and-volleyer. My last year in the 18s I finished number one in Wisconsin, fifth in the Midwest, and top 50 in the country,” he recalled. Those stats obviously put him on the radar of many of the top colleges in the area, including Marquette and several Big Ten schools. But then Butler came calling. “I took a visit there and loved the school, loved the campus, loved the city of Indianapolis, and ended
IUPUI men’s tennis coach Brandon Currie keeps an eye on the courts as his players go through a morning practice at West Indy Racquet Club.
up coming here,” Currie said. He played number one for the Bulldogs all four years at both singles and doubles and wound up holding every team record while earning the team’s “Player of the Year” honor in his final three years. He was also named the school’s overall “Athlete of the Year” following his senior season. “Considering how good the basketball team was that year, that was probably my biggest accomplishment,” he said.
the decision to take the Jaguars’ job. “It’s always easy for someone to go to a program that’s already established or already at a certain level and continue on with the process. With this, I saw the opportunity to come in, build a foundation, and grow from there.”
The allure of a pro tennis career took Currie onto the ATP’s Satellite Tour (now the ATP Futures Tour), where he earned a few points along with a spot in the Indianapolis’ RCA Championships qualifier after winning the 2002 Pearson Ford Open.
Part of that process has been Currie’s desire to identify and recruit the right players. And while he keeps his eyes open for players across the country that may express an interest to join his program, he believes his first responsibility is to the in-state players.
“That (the Satellite Tour) was extremely high level of tennis, and that wasn’t even the top level,” Currie said of the competition he found himself facing on a weekly basis. “It was tough because you spent so much money, and you want to make it worthwhile and be successful. So, there was a lot of pressure and a lot of competition. I mean, this was the first time I was competing against guys from all over the world, including guys who were top-level juniors and a lot of guys who were trying to make this their profession. So that was the biggest adjustment.”
“I think when people get coaching jobs, they immediately think they have to recruit foreign players or go out of state,” he explained. “I actually did the same thing when I first started, but that was to help kick-start the program and get things going. Now that we’ve done that, I’m beginning to focus on kids from Indiana first and then branching out from there.
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(pro) But physical problems that originated in college began to take their toll.
“You have to look at what the kids can bring to the table with their skills,” Currie added. “Not just where they are, but where they can be. And each year I’ve been here I think we’ve gotten better.”
“My senior year in college I had a pinched nerve in my elbow that affected my serve,” Currie explained. “I was able to play through it, but during my second year on the tour it began to get worse, so I decided to go back to school.”
Yet another challenge that has hit both the men’s and women’s programs in recent years is the lack of a true “home” court. With the closing and demolition of the Indianapolis Tennis Center in 2011, the teams have had to look elsewhere for both practice and match courts. For the men’s team, the answer has been West Indy Racquet Club.
While pursuing a Masters Degree in counseling at Butler, Currie was tapped in 2005 to be the men’s tennis coach at IUPUI. “The biggest thing for me was the opportunity to build a program,” he said of
“West Indy’s been great, and it’s not that far from campus, but hopefully we’ll have something a little more convenient that we can also use as a recruiting tool,” Currie said.
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Photos by Scott Cooper
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on court TIPS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR GAME
Follow these few simple tips to avoid mixed doubles trouble By Earl Allen
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Once you gain an understanding about mixed, you will not only fall in love with it, but it’s a great opportunity to meet a lot of lifelong friends. For example, I have been fortunate enough to have played with the same fantastic lady for the past 10 years. I not only consider her a teammate, but, more importantly, a very good friend!
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First you have to know that mixed doubles is sort of a beast unto its own, insomuch as the approach to strategy is unique to even men’s or women’s doubles. I believe you not only have to be a little more thoughtful in your decision-making as a team, but also somewhat straight forward in how you play. Once you get a feel for and understand the subtle nuances, you will learn to love it as much as I do. To help you get there, here are some tips to make you both a better mixed doubles player and also a better team:
• GET YOUR FIRST SERVE IN!!!
While this is imperative in any tennis event, it’s especially important in mixed doubles. If you don’t, then your partner is useless at the net if your second serve is weak.
• Remember to be supportive throughout the highs and the lows on court – people don’t like to play with a poor sport. Guys, remember it’s not WHAT you say but HOW you say it that could impact the outcome. You win as a team and you lose as a team. • Discuss your strategy after the
warm up to determine who should receive more balls during the rallies.
• Men must hold serve, and the way to do that is by using a variety of serves rather than trying to bludgeon every serve (and having a low first serve percentage). Kick serves work wonders against female players since they don’t normally face that type of serve. If the guy loses serve, it gives the opponents a huge mental edge. • The ladies’ second serve must be put into play – this is probably the slowest shot you are going to receive so you must take advantage of it by either chipping and charging or hitting an aggressive shot to achieve a positional advantage. • The ladies’ responsibility is to play controlled, solid tennis and work to create opportunities for the team. A good example of this would be to find a way AT ALL COST to get the guy’s serve back into play to get your team in the point – this could even be a lob if you have that shot in your bag. • Try different formations, such as the Australian or I-formation if you find that you are playing a returner who is “grooved”, or even the twoback formation to give your partner
a little more room to get the ball back into play. Believe me – it takes the pressure off both players.
• Guys should try changing the pace of their shots in order to set up their partners for a put away at the net.
on court
ixed doubles has become wildly popular, especially here in Central Indiana. It has grown exponentially over the years – not just in numbers, but also in strength of players. Having participated in playoffs at every level in USTA League play, at district, sectional, and national, I can tell you it takes the right kind of players for this event.
• A woman should always expect to receive the second ball in any exchange, either after the return of serve or her own serve, so be ready. She must also go against the normal train of thought and GUARD THE ALLEY. The ball will come your way so why not already be in position for it!! • Use the lob whenever possible, and try to lob over the women as they are usually a little shorter than the guys. The best time to do this would be on a slower second serve or if both players have recklessly charged the net.
• If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 738 times – down the middle solves the riddle. Playing down the middle of the court is a tried and true method in doubles – period. Often, you will find that two players may not communicate very well and when presented with a ball down the middle of the court, they both may flinch as to who actually should take the ball. Take advantage of this by hitting your volleys and drives through the middle. • You have to win the woman-towoman exchanges as this will allow your guy partner more opportunities to feel free to poach and get more involved in the points.
news & notes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Development of new tennis center closer (just not close enough!) By SCOTT COOPER
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he committee looking to develop a new tennis center in downtown Indianapolis continues with its private fundraising in hopes that a facility can soon be built to replace the former Indianapolis Tennis Center. Fourteen months removed from when demolition first began on the center’s indoor facility, the group’s president, Mark Shublak, said the progress has been painstakingly slow.
• The stronger returner, usually the man, should probably play the ad court. It’s good to have that player returning the 8-9 or 9-8 point in the match tie-breaker. • If you have a lefty partner, it might be a good idea to have him/her play the deuce so that you can keep forehands in the center of the court. • When returning serve, try aiming at the singles sideline versus the doubles sideline. This not only gives you a much larger target, but the percentages are better. • Fake and real poaches can help keep your opponents off guard. If they are watching you, there’s a good chance they have taken their eyes off the ball. • Always try and pick a partner that complements your personality and skill set on the court!
Earl Allen is a teaching pro at Community Healthplex Sports Club
“It’s just been a very challenging environment to try and raise philanthropic funds for a project like this,” he added. “During that time we’ve been working hard, undertaking a lot of private conversations with donors, and we’ve been very pleased with the response. We’re not prepared to release where we are at the moment, but we’ve had substantial progress toward our goal. In terms of commitments, we’re nearly three-quarters of the way there.” One of the group’s earliest goals was met when an agreement was reached earlier this year with Indy Parks to use a 10-15 acre parcel of land along West 16th Street. The board has also been researching the different types of indoor facilities that will best fit the land and the budget, as well as what the final layout of the center might be. “We think we need at least 10 indoor and 10 outdoor courts in order to meet the needs of our education and non-profit partners in this effort, as well as the demands of those who live and work downtown who will be using the facility,” Shublak explained. “Twenty total courts is optimal for what we’re contemplating.” So far, the group has yet to begin tapping into the local corporate community for donations, relying instead on private donations that have ranged from firm, written commitments to those who are interested but are waiting for one or two lead donors to step forward. “We’ve really been focusing on private donors, foundations, and a few non-profits,” Shublak said. “We really haven’t launched our corporate fundraising campaign which would be the final gap-filler.”
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Part of the success in mixed doubles lies in finding a complementary partner. (Photo by Scott Cooper)
“I think it’s good to be bold and aggressive, but we’re still very comfortable with the pace at which we’re proceeding, and we’re quietly confident that we’ll achieve a favorable result,” Shublak said following the committee’s October meeting. “We certainly wish it would have developed faster, but I think we’re pleased with where we are at the moment.
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focus on fitness OFF-COURT STRATEGIES TO HELP YOUR GAME ON THE COURT
Strong core, mobility both essential in preventing injuries By Tom Jennings Med, ATC, NASM-PES
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F YOU PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, chances are you’ve incurred an injury, and an unbalanced core may be the root of your pain. An improper functioning core may create a myriad of injuries, but a functional core can both improve performance and prevent injuries.
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Most often people, and even fitness instructors, perform only abdominal crunches to strengthen the core. However the core includes all the muscles that control your torso and pelvis. These include anterior (front), posterior (back), lateral (outside), medial (inside) and transverse (rotation) muscles. For a functional core, all of these muscles must be in balance. At O’Fit studios, we assess each person from head to toe, during which we can detect the weak and tight muscles. We can then develop a home program. Visit www.ofithealth.com for more tips on improving core stability and mobility. Typically, we find the anterior muscles like the quadriceps (thigh) and hip flexors are short and tight. These powerful muscles can inhibit the hamstrings (posterior thigh). Therefore, the anterior muscles need to be stretched and the posterior muscles need to be strengthened. In addition, we find the abdominals, specifically the transverse abdominals are weak. A plank
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
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Hip flexor stretch: Plank:
The plank exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve core stability. Be sure to keep your spine in neutral and pull your navel inward towards your spine. Keep your hips in neutraldon’t let your butt sag or arch. Elbows should be directly under shoulder blades. Keep your chin tucked and neck in neutral. See how long you can hold this position. If back pain occurs, stop immediately. Work up to two minutes per day.
exercise is a great way to improve stability in the spine. In addition, we usually find the piriformis muscle (a hip stabilizer) usually becomes overactive and tight, while the gluteus medius becomes weakened. Below you will find five effective exercises to help improve your core! While these are not the only core exercises they are a great way to start. Visit www.therawheel.com for more tips on how to improve mobility.
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A functional core requires balanced stability and mobility. All too often, we find most people follow faulty postural patterns. For example, most people have a tight low back and weak abdominals. The stronger, more used muscles become overactive and inhibit the antagonist (opposite) muscle group, making them weaker. Therefore the short, strong muscles must be stretched, and the weaker muscles must be strengthened to create a balanced and functional core. The key to developing a good core program is to first assess the entire core to determine which muscles need to be strengthened for stability and stretched for mobility.
The hip flexors are powerful and connect the large thigh muscles to the spine. When they become tight, they can create low back pain. Start with a wide stance and keep the back knee straight. Then slowly drop the back knee to the floor while keeping your back straight and abs pulled inward. You should feel a stretch in front of your thigh. If necessary, use a wall to support yourself for balance.
news & notes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Inaugural Carmel ‘Rally’ raises $4,000
Piriformis stretch:
This muscle is a deep hip rotator and connects the sacrum with the thigh. Often it becomes over-worked and creates SI joint pain, low back pain and even sciatica. Place your right ankle on your left knee and pull your left knee towards your chest. You should feel a stretch in the right hip.
Single-leg bridge:
The posterior chain muscles (hamstrings and glutes) typically become weakened over time. The single leg bridge is a simple and effective way to develop stability. Place your right ankle on the opposite knee or straight out. Pull your navel inward and raise your hips off the ground, focusing on using the gluteal (butt) muscles. You should not feel pain in the lower back.
Side plank twist:
(Photo courtesy of Kristi Scotten)
Wilander ‘wheels’ into Woodstock Club
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ormer world number one Mats Wilander and his “Wilander on Wheels” clinic made a stop in Indianapolis in late July, conducting a pair of clinics at Woodstock Club. Campers were treated to on-court instruction, as well as a chance to play doubles with the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. Club tennis director Tom Moore said he tried to schedule Wilander and “Wilander on Wheels” touring partner Cameron Lickle the previous year but couldn’t find an available date. During the summer months Wilander and Lickle travel from site to site in a motorhome. (Photo by Scott Cooper)
Tom Jennings, Med, ATC, NASM-PES, founded O’Fit Performance Therapy and Fitness in Indianapolis (www.ofithealth.com)
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One of the weakest muscle groups in the core is the lateral hip (gluteus medius). When it becomes weak, it can cause back, hip and knee pain. The side plank twist is a great way to develop lateral hip stability. Stack your feet, keeping the elbow right below your shoulder. Keep your spine in neutraldo not let your hips sag. Turn your top shoulder one-quarter towards the floor, then return to neutral.
CARMEL RACQUET CLUB hosted its inaugural Rally for the Cure last August, with more than $4,000 being raised in support of breast cancer awareness and health. Rally Ambassador Kristi Scotten was joined by Rally Team members CRC tennis pro Suzie Booker, Karen Johnson, Julie Oliver and Alice Walker to host over 40 women. The event consisted of four rounds of round-robin tennis followed by a raffle and silent auction. Three of the women who participated were breast cancer survivors. Carmel Racquet Club owner Greg Griffey and Jeff Eaton donated court time in support of the event.
Photos courtesy of Tom Jennings
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It’s a three-peat as Carmel tops North Central in state team finals By SCOTT COOPER
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ortunately, the long-forecasted rain began falling right before the start of the awards ceremony following the conclusion of the 46th annual IHSAA boys’ state team tennis finals at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center on the campus of North Central High School. Unfortunately for the host school, it came just over an hour too late to cool off a hot Carmel Greyhound team that scored a 4-1 win over the Panthers to earn its third consecutive team championship.
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North Central came into the title match with just one loss on the season and a rare distinction, having been the only team to knock off Carmel in a dual match in the last three seasons, with a 3-2 win earlier in August. However, after a tough 3-2 win against Center Grove in the morning semifinal, the host school was unable to either duplicate its win earlier in the season or avenge last year’s final loss.
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And when Patrick Farrell wrapped up a 6-2, 6-3 win over Rudolph Frazier at No. 3 singles, Carmel had captured its eighth overall state team title and the fifth under current coach Mike Bostic.
The Carmel Greyhounds celebrate with the championship hardware after winning the eighth team title in the school’s history and the third in a row.
“We had never won a state championship after having lost to them in the regular season,” Bostic said of the Panthers. “So that just makes it that much more special. We have such tremendous respect for them; it’s so hard to come here and win. But, our guys believed through the whole season that this is where we wanted to be, and we were going to take advantage of it once we got here. “We had a lot of ups and downs this year, but the guys kept the bigger goal in mind and preserved, and that’s what this is all about,” he added. North Central came into the finals as undoubtedly the hottest team, having dropped only one individual match following a 3-2 loss to Park Tudor in early September and boasting a bright future with just one senior on the varsity squad.
Patrick Farrell clinched the team championship for the Greyhounds with a 6-2, 6-3 over North Central’s Rudolph Frazier.
Once again, Indianapolis-area schools filled out one-half of the eight spots available in the new state final rounds format, with Park Tudor and Center Grove joining the Greyhounds and Panthers for the second year in a row. Bloomington South, Valparaiso, Fort Wayne Canterbury and Jasper filled out the remainder of the field.
For the second consecutive season, Luke Andersen helped lead Center Grove into the state finals.
The quarterfinal rounds went to Bloomington South, 3-2 over Valparaiso; Carmel, 4-1 over Center Grove; North Central, 5-0 over Fort Wayne Canterbury; and Park Tudor, 4-1 over Jasper. Carmel then posted a 4-1 win over Bloomington South in the semifinal to set up its rematch with North Central.
Freshman J.J. Kroot scored the lone point for North Central with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Chris Quammen at No. 2 singles. Carmel senior Chris Quammen suffered only his sixth loss on the season, 7-5, 6-2 to J.J. Kroot at No. 2 singles.
Park Tudor brought a 17-2 record into the finals, paced by sophomore Day Rayl at No. 1 singles. Photos by Scott Cooper
Bloomington South senior Ronnie Schneider was named the winner of the IHSAA’s Mental Attitude Award.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
“We had a lot of young guys who really improved over the season,” said Coach Dan Brunette. “If anything, you’ve got to recognize the efforts of the whole team. Rudolph Frazier improved a ton, and the way those guys bounced back after losing Andrew Stutz (to injury early in the season) was incredible.”
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Sophomores Jeffrey Chen (left) and Michael Makio completed an undefeated season at No. 2 doubles with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win over Ari Gerstein and J.T. Wynne.
Sameer Kumar bounced back from a loss in the morning semifinals to Bloomington South’s Ronnie Schneider, which took him out of the running for a spot in the individual singles tournament, to gain the first team point with a 6-1, 6-0 win over North Central’s Riley Riest. Photos by Scott Cooper
Seniors Charlie Emhardt and Dan Rodefeld were 6-0, 6-3 winners over Patrick McAuley and Will Reifeis at No. 1 doubles.
IHSTeCA announces all-state teams
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• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
he Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTeCA) released its annual rundown of the All-State and All-Academic players following the close of the boys’ season. Indianapolis-area players named to the teams by participating coaches include the following:
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ALL-STATE SINGLES First Team: Conner Andersen and Luke Andersen (Center Grove); Brandon Benedict (Perry Meridian); Mark Kite (Brebeuf Jesuit); Sameer Kumar (Carmel); Ian Landwehr (Yorktown); Dan Rayl (Park Tudor); Riley Reist (North Central); and Alex Woldmoe (Hamilton Southeastern). Second Team: Steven Christie (Cathedral); Zac Defonce (Hamilton Southeastern); Chris Quammen (Carmel); Andrew Stutz (North Central); Scott Thygesen (Park Tudor); and Luke Wojtalik (Cathedral). ALL-STATE DOUBLES First Team: Seth Gochnauer/Carlo Alviar (Brebeuf Jesuit); Charlie Emhardt/Daniel Rodefeld (Carmel); William Reifeis/Patrick McAuley (North Central); and Graham Reinbold/Jack McCarter (Park Tudor). Second Team: Michael Hartnagel/Nathan Mehringer (Brownsburg); Jeffrey Chen/Michael Makio (Carmel); Logan Clevenger/Cole McDaniel (Center Grove); Tyler Conrad/Jake Sprinkle (Franklin Central); and Ari Gerstein/J.T. Wynne (North Central). Academic All-State: Jacob Lucas and Ryan Lucas (Arsenal Tech); Aaron Bode and Tyler Lingle (Avon); Mark DeNardin (Bishop Chatard); Nick Imhoff and Mark Kite (Brebeuf); John Cooke (Cathedral); Joseph Igleski (Covenant Christian); David Clendening (Franklin); Alex Larsh (Lawrence Central); Jared Kassebaum, Bradley Yu, William Torres, and Daniel Pearcy (Lawrence North); Cameron Hudson (Lebanon); Ross Canada (Mt. Vernon); Joseph Coy, Trent Punt, James Masnyk, and Sean Conaway (Noblesville); Blake Bush (Plainfield); and Joe Wolf and Frederick Dowell (Roncalli).
You go, girl! Tournament benefits Women’s Sports Foundation
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ifty players participated in the third annual Indian Summer Girls’ Tennis Open in September at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center on the campus of North Central High School. The girls-only tournament, which benefitted the Women’s Sports Foundation and its Go-Girl-Go Program, offered competition in both singles and doubles. Results from the final matches were:
Photos courtesy of Washington Township Schools Tennis Program
This page is compliments of the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Fund
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Girls’ 18 singles – Sarah Coghlan def. Megan Coghlan, 7-5, 7-5 Girls’ 16 singles – Dana Frank def. Sydney Roach, 6-2, 7-5 Girls’ 14 singles – Zoe Woods def. Madelyn Bemisderfer, 2-6, 6-4, 12-10 Girls’ 12 singles – Autumn Clark def. Kitty Greenwalt, 6-1, 6-1 Girls’ 16 doubles – Emma Love/Karen Swedo def. Dana Frank/Alexandra Jamison Girls’ 14 doubles – Grace Marchese/Laura Moore def. Kitty Greenwalt/Amara Young Women’s open doubles – Tammy Alcala/Angela Janutolo won the round-robin
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History matched Ronnie Schneider becomes only second player to win three straight boys’ singles titles By SCOTT COOPER
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an Rayl had already seen one side of Ronnie that gave the Bloomington South senior a thirdSchneider through the many times they had hit straight singles title. “I just came into the match together in their private practices. However, it was the hoping to stay loose and relaxed. I thought he would other side – the one Schneider saves for the have more pressure big matches – that Rayl saw first-hand for the on him being the ‘I felt like I spent the entire season first time in the IHSAA boys’ state singles two-time defending focused on the one goal, and to see it tournament finals at Park Tudor School. state champion.” “He just took it to a completely different level; he was a different animal,” the Park Tudor sophomore said after a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Schneider
come together today was all I could have asked for.’ –Ronnie Schneider
Not only was the third title an amazing accomplishment for Schneider, but it capped a run of 83 straight match wins and an overall high school record of 101-3. And even though he’s one of the top American juniors, having won several national titles and earning entries into two consecutive U.S. Open Juniors main draws, it was the team camaraderie that kept him coming back.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
“All three in and of themselves are amazing, but to put all three together was something extremely special,” Schneider said. “I felt like I spent the entire season focused on the one goal, and to see it come together today was all I could have asked for.”
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Schneider became only the second player to win three singles titles, equaling Paul Koscielski’s three-year run for South Bend Adams from 1981-83. “I don’t think it’s going to set in for awhile,” Schneider said of the accomplishment. “But the score was very deceptive. Daniel played fantastic; he had some stretches there where he had me completely neutralized. But I think there was more pressure on me than in the last two years because everyone I was playing knew they had nothing to lose.” The 101st match win of his high school career was also a recordsetter for Bloomington South’s Ronnie Schneider as he won his third consecutive boys’ state singles championship.
Carmel duo dominates doubles “Best I’ve ever seen,” were the first words out of Carmel coach Mike Bostic’s mouth after he saw seniors Charlie Emhardt and Dan Rodefeld put an emphatic exclamation on their season by winning the state doubles championship. High praise considering the doubles teams the Greyhounds have fielded over the years, including three other state titlists. “This is the fourth doubles title I’ve been able to coach, and it’s no disrespect to those other kids, but to come into the state finals and only lose two games, it doesn’t get any better,” he explained.
Covenant Christian’s Nathan Zumbrun was 24-3 on the season coming into the state quarterfinals, where he lost to Dan Rayl, 6-1, 6-0.
Emhardt and Rodefeld took care of business very quickly in both matches, dispatching Brebeuf Jesuit’s Carlo Alviar and Seth Gochnauer in the morning semifinal, 6-0, 6-1, before winning the title by a 6-1, 6-0 score over Jasper’s Noah Moss and Will Seger. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” Rodefeld said afterward. “We’ve talked about this since we were 11 years old. To be able to experience this with one of my best friends, and to have the rest of the team here cheering today, I think we owe a lot of our success to them.” “It was a great way to cap off the season and our senior year,” Emhardt added. Despite finishing with an impressive 31-3 record this season, Park Tudor sophomore Dan Rayl ended up on the wrong side of history in a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Ronnie Schneider. Photos by Scott Cooper
Brebeuf Jesuit’s Carlo Alviar (left) and Seth Gochnauer saw their season end with a 6-1, 6-0 loss to eventual champion Carmel in the doubles semifinal.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Carmel seniors Charlie Emhardt (left) and Dan Rodefeld followed up their team championship a week earlier with the doubles title.
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Still going strong at 40 Indy NJTL chapter continues to provide programs, opportunities for kids both on and off the court By MEGAN FERNANDEZ
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early every tennis organization in the city owes something to Barbara Wynne, a steadfast pioneer for the sport locally for more than half a century. But no program illustrates the longevity of her influence – or her special bond with tennis legend Arthur Ashe – like the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) of Indianapolis, which turns 40 this year.
She asked her friend Richard Lugar, then mayor of Indianapolis, how she could do that. He pointed her toward the city’s struggling parks, but the poor condition of their courts tugged at Wynne’s heartstrings as she had learned to play on those very courts more than a decade earlier.
Wynne and Ashe (who actually share a birthday) were friends by 1969 when, as the reigning U.S. Open champion, Ashe launched the NJTL. Eager to address the era’s racial tensions through tennis, Ashe designed the program to attract inner-city kids to public courts with low-cost clinics, and then use the opportunity to provide them with positive role models and emphasize sportsmanship, health, and education.
“My mother always said I was a nut because I’d get on a bus and go to any park where you could play tennis,” she says. At 12 years old, she would ride the bus to parks looking for pickup games. Later, most of the tournaments she played took place at Ellenberger, Riverside, Fall Creek, or Brookside, some of which even had clay courts. However, by the late 1960s those courts were nearly unusable, and it wasn’t as safe for kids to go to the parks alone.
The same year, coincidentally, Wynne created a grassroots program in Indianapolis with the same goal – use tennis to tackle the pervading social issues at the time.
Wynne worked with the city and Lilly Endowment to fix up Riverside Park’s courts so she could offer tennis lessons there. It took just two months to dig up the
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
NJTL walkers at the ‘Walking for Dreams’ fundraiser on the Downtown Canal.
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courts and replace them with 12 asphalt ones, she recalled. The program, Riverside Upswing, which debuted in 1969, offered free lessons for both adults and kids, and rackets and balls were provided. While Wynne spent the summer teaching lessons at North Central High School, she left the program in the hands of four men: instructors John Pearson and Tim Greist, then both nationally ranked student players; Marion Rice, a pioneer of the city’s black tennis scene through the Capital City Tennis Club, who had been giving lessons at Riverside for $1; and John Barnhill, a star of the Indiana Pacers at the time.
MISSION STATEMENT NJTL of Indianapolis seeks to develop the character of young people from all backgrounds through tennis, life skills, educational enrichment, and healthy living choices. Enrollment was up to about 500, according to the Indianapolis Star, when Riverside Upswing became a chapter of NJTL in 1973. Wynne didn’t take the change lightly because it meant they would have to pay the national organization for every person who enrolled—and Riverside Upswing had been offering free lessons. Corporate sponsors stepped in to defer the costs, and NJTL of Indianapolis not only carried forth Wynne’s original vision, but expanded on it by integrating Ashe’s concepts for off-court education. The teaching philosophy also changed. Ashe “wanted instant competition, like pickup basketball,” Wynne said. “He wanted them to play, and ask,
Instructors with Iris Smith on her final match day at Broad Ripple Park (from left) Keara Miller, Lexxus Betts, Renelle Hui, Mary Therber, Iris Smith, Brad Cangany and Sam Roach.
‘Why can’t I hit it on this side?’ And then you showed them. He wanted them to be intrinsically motivated.” In 1979, according to the Star, enrollment hit 2,500. Wynne went on to serve on the national NJTL board, and, in 1999, started the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, a national competition offering a trip to the U.S. Open as a prize. The real key to the current program are the instructors. They aren’t paid much, says Steve Mackell, the local NJTL program director, but many played in NJTL themselves and are motived to give back. Mackell still remembers the day his NJTL instructor painted a smiley face on his racket, more than 20 years ago. “I went home and told people it was the coolest thing,” says Mackell, who went on to play college tennis and is currently the men’s tennis coach at Marian University. “It got me excited about tennis without even teaching
Girls 11 and older Beginner Tournament medalists, Selena Helms (left) and Jada Quarles.
me anything. It was just about having fun in the summer.” The high school- and college-age instructors are young enough that the NJTL kids think they’re “cool”, and they are hired for their enthusiasm to serve as role models. They are the ones charged with keeping the participants interested in the program and inspiring them to excel and meet goals. “One of the things I always love seeing is how much these kids really do, in a short period of time, care so much about their instructors.” says Nancy Carr, executive director of NJTL of Indianapolis. • INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Barnhill commanded respect and made people feel safe. “He was the best thing that ever happened to that program because he was the enforcer,” Wynne laughs. “If a racket disappeared, he knew who had it and he went and got it.”
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“I always loved being out there with the other kids, and now I get to be an instructor,” says Mark Wolfe, who “grew up” in the NJTL program and finished his fourth year as a teacher this past summer. “It’s awesome to be able to transfer these skills to a new generation, see them develop their skills, and have fun.” To date, more than 45,000 kids have take part in NJTL of Indianapolis, many of whom probably wouldn’t have touched a tennis racket without access to the program. Most kids playing for IPS-school tennis teams learned to play through NJTL, Mackell says, and the program has produced college players, as well.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Last summer about 1,100 kids enrolled, and some 200 continued during the school year. Mackell has worked to improve the advanced lessons so NJTL retains kids as they improve. Lessons cost $15 or $40, depending on the site – the program operates at more than a dozen locations around Marion County. But no kid is turned away for inability to
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Instructors Lexxus Betts and Keara Miller work with Shyann Harvey at Tarkington Park.
pay, even though the cost to the program is more than $140 per child. “The thing that really surprises people the most is that we’re not just tennis,” Carr says. “We’re doing life skills curriculum. We also do a healthy living curriculum that’s part of [Peyton Manning’s] Project 18 from St. Vincent. We also do a guided college tour for the kids, and a reading challenge.” During the summer, kids keep track of how many pages they read each week, and at Rally Day, when students at different sites meet to play matches, they receive a free book. The updated mission statement of the NJTL of Indianapolis reflects its commitment to kids both on- and off-court: “NJTL of Indianapolis seeks to develop the character of young people from all backgrounds through tennis, life skills, educational enrichment, and healthy living choices.” Mackell says the program received a perfect parent-satisfaction rating at the end of last summer, based on 170 responses to his email survey. NJTL of Indianapolis serves as an example to other chapters nationwide as part of the NJTL
Boys’ 7-8 Beginner Tournament medalists Sam Stagge (left) and Abhi Ankaraju.
Capacity Building Program. “From that standpoint, we’re well-regarded from a national level,” Carr says. But it still struggles with funding, relying on grants, corporate sponsors, and private donations to offset program costs and salaries for two full-time employees. But the program stands to gain a tremendous boost if the proposed downtown tennis center ever comes to fruition, Wynne notes. Not only are the indoor courts necessary for nurturing talent year-round, but the plans call for a computer lab to support the program’s educational mission. Photos courtesy of Indy NJTL
DIII regional tournament a homecoming for many players T
here were a lot of familiar faces on the courts when the USTA/ITA Division III men’s regional tournament was held Sept. 21-24 at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center on the campus of North Central High School and at Park Tudor School. Players from 29 schools were competing in singles and doubles for spots in the National Small College Championships in Mobile, Alabama. Due to the depth of the Central Region, players were divided into two draws determined by their team’s lineup. The winners of the “B” draw, held at Park Tudor, will receive an automatic bid into the “A” (main) draw in 2013 or enable their school to enter another player.
Daniel Delgado (left) and Mark Troiano play their first-round doubles match for Wabash College against the top seeds from Washington University.
The tournament is also used for individual ranking purposes for both singles and doubles heading into the spring season. Freshman Sam Geier won the “B” singles draw for Kenyon College.
Photos by Scott Cooper
DePauw junior Sam Miles made it to the round of 16 of the main singles draw.
Case Western’s Derek Reinbold was a 6-1, 6-1 winner in his opening round singles match.
David Moss of DePauw lost a three-setter in the first round of singles to the third-seeded William Drougas of Case Western.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Top-seeded Adam Putterman of Washington University (St. Louis) won the singles title in the main draw, with former Park Tudor standout Sam Geier winning the “B” draw for Kenyon College as well as the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award. The doubles title in the main draw went to Wade Heerboth and Robert Turlington of Kenyon College. The DePauw trio of Chris Bertolini (Carmel HS), Reid Garlock (North Central HS) and Sam Miles (Park Tudor) all advanced to the Round of 32 in the singles main draw.
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Nick Chappell 2.0 Former state prep champion rebooting his game, attitude at the college level By SCOTT COOPER
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alented but brash, Nick Chappell was looked at by some as “the next big thing” when he hit the high school level in 2007 at North Central High School. He helped lead the Panthers to the state title that season playing number one singles as a freshman and backed that up with the state singles title the following season.
As his game continued to improve, along with his desire to play more national-level tournaments, he saw the need to leave the structure of the public school system for the flexibility of online courses through Indiana University High School. That move undoubtedly helped him capture the attention of Texas Christian University, where he continues to play at the number one singles spot in his sophomore season. “I think I’ve come a long way, tennis-wise, and I think I’ve matured a lot mentally, too,” said Chappell after his first-round match at the Pearson Ford Open last June at Woodstock Club. “Obviously, there’s a lot of different competition, playing number one in college versus high school, and you have to be a lot tougher mentally. That’s the biggest thing.”
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
Chappell said he owed the mental improvements to a better practice ethic.
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“In high school there’d be days when I just wasn’t there, mentally, and I wouldn’t be completely ready,” he explained. “Now I’m better focused and have a better understanding of what I’m doing.” As part of that, Chappell said the fist pumps and shouts of “C’mon” that accompanied nearly every winning point in high school are less frequent.
NICK CHAPPELL’S SUMMER included a run to the semifinals of the Pearson Ford Open at Woodstock Club, where he lost a three-setter to eventual champion Ruben Gonzales.
Photos by Scott Cooper
“I still get into the points, but sometimes you can get distracted yelling after every point, so I try to save it for certain moments,” he added.
attention to the conditioning part. He’s gotten more fit, more balanced, and I think that helped him a lot on the court.”
While continuing his high school studies, Chappell was able to play several tournaments on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior circuit, winning in his first tournament in Bermuda, and reaching a top ranking of 26. It also opened up the opportunity for him to play in the junior tournaments at all four Grand Slams.
“Mentally, he always did really well within the team aspect, and I think playing at TCU just helped that even more,” Paul added. “He stays more calm and composed now; there are times when he still lets the little things bother him, but not as much as he used to. He’s smarter, too. In high school he was so good he could pretty much do whatever he wanted, but at the college level he’s learned he has to figure out his opponent’s weakness. I think he may also be more mature, but I think he’s just learned the game better.”
At TCU, Chappell went 14-6 his freshman year at the top singles spot, knocking off three highly-ranked opponents, and was named the team’s most valuable player by his teammates in addition to Mountain West Freshman of the Year. This past summer, turning his attention once again to the ATP’s Futures Tour, he earned his first ATP points with quarterfinal appearances in two Illinois tournaments. Within the college ranks, Chappell said he quickly became aware of the depth that most schools had. “I realized very quickly how tough every match is,” he said. “And every school has at least one or two really good players. And that really opened my eyes to what college tennis would be.” It also helped that older brother Paul was in his senior year at TCU and was able to somewhat ease the transition. “It really helped having him around and being able to hang out with him that first semester,” he said. “Physically, he’s in much better shape,” said his brother. “He trains much harder than he did in high school. He played a lot of tennis in high school, but he didn’t pay much
Indianapolis Racquet Club teaching pro Hector Clavijo, who continues to work with Chappell during the college off-season, agreed with Paul Chappell, saying that a growing maturity has been the biggest difference he’s noticed about Nick’s progress. “You have to take care of the small details,” he explained. “The higher the level is, the more the little details count. And you have to have a better recognition of your strengths and weaknesses and find a way on the court to maximize those.” Clavijo said their practices have even evolved over the last few years to try and replicate more of the circumstances Chappell might face, in addition to increasing his fitness and court movement. “Tennis is different than any other sport,” he added. “In other sports, when you’re tired, you can still play okay. But in tennis, once you’re tired your coordination starts to go off and you begin missing and losing points.” A player on the pro tour who’s stayed for all four years in college is a rarity,
IN THE PURPLE AND WHITE COLORS of TCU last season, Nick Chappell earned his team’s top honors in addition to Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.
and Chappell said he would look at his future with the Horned Frogs on a year-by-year basis, but he was really looking forward to his sophomore year at TCU and the school’s move into the Big 12 Conference. “I’d really like to see the team have a chance to win the Big 12, but for me, I’m just looking at getting better every day and playing my best every time out,” he said.
• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Fall / Winter 2012
“Those really showed me what was out there and showed me that I can compete with players from all over the world,” Chappell said of the experience. “And I think that helped me to mature even more.”
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2013 USTA League Restructure 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 & 4.5
18+
2 singles matches & 3 doubles matches
2.5 & 5.0
*
*
Two 5.5 players allowed on 5.0 roster
1 singles matches & 2 doubles matches Advances to Championships
3.0, 3.5, 4.0 & 4.5*+ *
40+
Two 5.0 players allowed on 4.5 roster
2 singles matches & 3 doubles matches Advances to Championships
6.0, 7.0, 8.0 & 9.0*
55+
3 doubles matches Advances to Championships
6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0
65+
3 doubles matches
MIXED
This league is Local Only – Not a National League.
6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 & 10.0*
18+
3 doubles matches
USTA League is improving its league structure to enhance your playing experience. What exactly is changing? The 2013 USTA League structure will be comprised of 7 Leagues; Adult 18 & Over, Adult 40 & Over, Adult 55 & Over, Mixed 18 & Over, Mixed 40 & Over, Combo Doubles, and Tri-Level. As before, players will continue to compete at their NTRP level for each category.
Why did the USTA make this change?
The decision to change the structure of USTA Leagues was made to better balance out the players among the three age categories and to better align participants with players their own age. Previously, the vast majority of USTA League participants fell in the "Adult" category (18 & Over), with far fewer in the "Senior" (50 & Over) and "Super Senior" (60 & Over) categories.
MIXED
Advances to Championships
6.0, 7.0, 8.0 & 9.0
40+
3 doubles matches
TRI-LEVEL
COMBO
Advances to Championships
18+
5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 & 9.5
What are the benefits of making this change?
Existing data, player surveys, and player focus groups clearly indicated a need for age restructuring. Research indicates that age restructuring should provide the majority of players with additional play opportunities and produce more competitive match play, which will result in more accurate ratings.
3 doubles matches Advances to Championships
3.5, 4.0, 4.5
18+
3 doubles to matches Advances playoffs
Advances to Championships
Get in the Game! www.centralindiana.usta.com