MEET OUR DIGITAL ASSISTANTS In a geographically large section with five states and seven districts, there are many exciting tennis events and stories happening every week. That’s why USTA Missouri Valley has a team of three digital assistants to assist with local content.
NET NOTES - NEWS NEAR YOU
Jerod Fox is the Digital Assistant for USTA Heart of America and USTA Kansas. Fox started playing tennis competitively in the seventh grade and played tennis at Hastings College in Nebraska. He resides in Kansas City, Mo.
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ACEING AUTISM CLINIC A SUCCESS Around fifteen people took part in a free USTA Iowa ACEing Autism clinic at Lifetime Fitness in Urbandale on Sunday, Feb. 21. The clinic was put on by the USTA Iowa District and was for any tennis pros and volunteers who were interested in learning about working with people with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Founder and ACEing Autism Executive Director, Richard Spurling, presented at the event, as well as John Terpkosh, USTA Missouri Valley Tennis Service Representative for Iowa. For more on ACEing Autism and tennis, contact Jaren Glaser at glaser@movalley.USTA.com.
Andrea Gallagher is the Digital Assistant for USTA Iowa and USTA Nebraska. Gallagher started playing tennis as a teenager and has loved the sport ever since. In high school she played both tennis and softball. She resides in Lincoln, Neb. Josh Sellmeyer is the digital assistant for USTA Missouri and USTA St. Louis. Sellmeyer was a standout on the tennis court during college. He has worked as a Junior Team Tennis coach and has led tennis lessons for all ages. He resides in St. Louis. Got a story idea? Contact us at communications@movalley.usta.com
ACE HUNGER TENNIS TOURNAMENT Close to 100 tennis players from Omaha and Lincoln took part in the Ace Hunger Tennis Tournament December 19-20 to raise donations for the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. Local player Sreedhar Marupudi organized the mixed-doubles event and paid for court time at local tennis facilities in Omaha. As a result, $2,000 and 3,000 pounds of food were donated. “The event was a great example of how the love of the sport can support an even bigger cause - fighting hunger,” said Kim Miksich, one of the participants. “This event took a lot of time, effort and planning and we are all thankful for such a great inaugural charity tournament!”
Left to right: Danielle Helm (Food Bank of the Heartland), Kim Miksich and Brittni Redding
Scott Slezak, a tennis professional at Happy Hollow Country Club, helped direct the event and served as an emcee. Tennis pros Mike Saniuk and Warren Rohmfeld also helped organize the tournament. Matches were played at Happy Hollow Club and Genesis Westroads. Organizers hope to make this event an annual fundraiser. SPRING SERVE 2021 USTA.COM/USTAMISSOURIVALLEY
