YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER PLAY
2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE PLAN YOUR PLAY - SUMMER CALENDAR
NATIONAL TENNIS MONTH
DIVERSITY MONTHS
NEW RESOURCES
MISSION STATEMENT AND VALUES
Source: 2023 Physical Activity Council’s Participation (PAC) Report
DECEMBER 5-7
SHERATON OVERLAND PARK HOTEL AT THE CONVENTION CENTER
Conference activities include the Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Celebration, engaging sessions with national and regional speakers, social events, committee meetings and much more. Watch your email or check the conference page for registration and hotel information.
Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Celebration
Nominations are being accepted until July 31 for the candidates for induction into the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame. Up to three people will receive the highest honor for the section in December. Learn more here.
District Awards
Nominate a player, provider or volunteer for a district award before September 1. District award winners may have the opportunity to vie for a section award in December. Check your district’s award deadline and nomination criteria here.
PLAN YOUR PLAY
USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40 & Over NTRP & Open Indoor Championship
Des Moines, Iowa
July 19-21
USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #4
Multiple Locations
July 20-22
USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Section Championship
Edmond, Oklahoma
July 16-17
ITF 25K Men’s Pro Circuit
Edwardsville, Illinois
Week of July 29
L2 St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Championships
Chesterfield, Missouri
July 26-28
USTA Missouri Valley League 65 & Over
Section Invitational
Overland Park, Kansas
July 25-28
L2 Battle of the Mississippi
Multiple Locations
July 26-28
USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship I
St. Louis, Missouri
August 2-4
USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 5’s, 0’s & Open Indoor Championship
Moline, Illinois
August 2-4
USTA Missouri Valley L1 Men’s 40, 45 National Indoor Championships
Overland Park, Kansas
August 9-11
USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40 & Over NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship
St. Louis, Missouri
August 16-18
For additional national and section-level tournaments, click here!
USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship II Oklahoma City, Oklahoma August 16-18
USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship III Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 23-25
USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship IV Springfield, Missouri August 23-25
US Open Championships New York City August 26-September 8
USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 18 & Over NTRP & Open Indoor Championship Overland Park, Kansas August 30-September 1
USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #5 Multiple Locations August 31-September 2
USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship I Topeka, Kansas
September 6-8
USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 55 & Over NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship Merriam, Kansas September 13-15
USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship II Kansas City, Missouri September 20-22
USTA Missouri Valley Tennis on Campus Fall Invitational Kansas City, Missouri
September 28-29
USTA Missouri Valley Adult 18 & Over NTRP & Open Outdoor St. Louis, Missouri
October 4-6
NEW RESOURCES
COACHING PARTNERSHIPS
DIADEM
The Diadem partnership kicked off at our “Rally in the Valley” tournament in Edmond. For the remaining USTA Missouri Valley junior tournaments on the 2024 slate, Diadem’s Premier Extra Duty Balls will be the official tennis ball.
WOMEN LEADERS IN SPORTS
We’ve created a coaching hub which includes great resources for current and future coaches in USTA Missouri Valley!
USTA Missouri Valley has announced some exciting partnerships recently which can be found here.
WECOACH
The partnership between USTA Missouri Valley and WeCOACH will impact current and new women coaches who are members of USTA Missouri Valley by providing year-round professional growth and leadership development through WeCOACH memberships.
United States Tennis Association has invested in the development and retention of women leaders in their association through a new partnership with Women Leaders in Sports.
OFFICIALS
A new officials hub includes helpful resources for current officials and those interested in becoming an official in USTA Missouri Valley.
GRANTS/SPORTSMANSHIP
Grants
USTA Missouri Valley offers grants to assist organizations in initiating or expanding their tennis programming activities. Organizations may apply for grants directly from their USTA district using this same application form. There are three more opportunities to apply for section funding:
Apply here for a district and/or section grant
UPCOMING DEADLINES
Friday, July 12
Friday, August 23
Friday, October 18
Sportsmanship
We are looking for good sports in both USTA Missouri Valley Leagues and Juniors! USTA Missouri Valley’s SuperSport sportsmanship initiative aims to recognize players of all ages and skill levels who display exemplary sportsmanship.
Junior players can be nominated by their peers, coaches, tourna ment staff and spectators to be entered to win prizes. Nominate before July 31, 2024 for a chance to win US Open ground pass tickets for two as well as airfare, a hotel grant and a US Open store gift card.
FACILITIES
Premier Facilities
Premier Facilities recognized: Overland Park Racquet Club, Jayhawk Tennis Center, Edmond Center Court, Case Tennis Center at LaFortune, Genesis Health Clubs-Riverside (formerly RH91)
Premier Facilities recognized: Overland Park Racquet Club, Jayhawk Tennis Center, Edmond Center Court, Case Tennis Center at LaFortune, Genesis Health Clubs-Riverside (formerly RH91).
National Park & Recreation Month (July)
National Parks & Recreation Month
This July, we’re encouraging everyone to get outside and play at the parks for National Parks and Recreation month!
Plaza Tennis Center
Plaza Tennis Center
In collaboration with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, the USTA Missouri Valley became operating manager of Plaza Tennis Center for the duration of 2024. Revitalization efforts to the historic facility are underway, including resurfacing all 14 courts!
In collaboration with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, USTA Missouri Valley became operating manager of Plaza Tennis Center for the duration of 2024. Revitalization efforts to the historic facility are underway, and all 14 courts have been resurfaced.
McCook Senior High School
McCook Senior High School
A $28,500 USTA Tennis Venue Services grant will enable the six-court facility at McCook Senior High School in southern Nebraska to be resurfaced beginning in July.
A $28,500 USTA Tennis Venue Services grant will enable the six-court facility at McCook Senior High School in southern Nebraska to be resurfaced beginning in July.
NCAA DI, DIII Championships
NCAA DI, DIII Championships
The 2024 men’s and women’s tennis national championships for both NCAA Division I and NCAA Division III took place within the USTA Missouri Valley in May. Oklahoma State University welcomed D-I teams and individuals to Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, while Dwight Davis Tennis Center held the D-III championships with Washington University in St. Louis the host school.
The 2024 men’s and women’s tennis national championships for both NCAA Division I and NCAA Division III took place within USTA Missouri Valley in May. Oklahoma State University welcomed D-I teams and individuals to Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, while Dwight Davis Tennis Center held the D-III championships with Washington University in St. Louis the host school.
Facility Grants
Facility Grants
The USTA offers competitive grant applications to facilities that meet a set of requirements, with services such as court resurfacing and lighting upgrades available. Learn more and apply for a USTA Tennis Venue Services grant today!
The USTA offers competitive grant applications to facilities that meet a set of requirements, with services such as court resurfacing and lighting upgrades available. Learn more and apply for a USTA Tennis Venue Services grant today!
NATIONAL TENNIS MONTH
NTM RECAP
GRANTS PROCLAMATIONS
IN
THE MEDIA
About 100 events were held during National Tennis Month.
We awarded 27 NTM grants in 2024 totaling $6,375.
Throughout the section, 12 National Tennis Month proclamations were received and presented.
Television stations across the section featured events happening in the month.
Some of those events included:
• 2024 Heartland Wheelchair Tournament - Kansas City, Missouri, 5/10-11
• Nebraska State Governor’s Proclamation - Lincoln, Nebraska, 5/19
• Court Resurfacing Unveiling at Lincoln Park by East St. Louis CTA, 5/25
• Special Olympics Kansas - Maize, Kansas, 5/31
FEATURED EVENT
The North American Indian Tennis Association National Championships were held at Edmond Center Court on May 24-25.
DIVERSITY MONTHS
Rachel Stribling was one of two black females out of 300 employees working as an air traffic controller in San Diego. She was believed to be the only black female air traffic supervisor in Missouri when she took that job. Her next challenge? Helping the aptly named East St. Louis High School Flyers girls’ tennis team take off.
Taytum Jones, USTA Oklahoma’s High Performance Junior Player of the Year in 2023, was spotlighted for his dedication to his craft. “I am proud of where I come from, my culture, my people and to be a young black male,” Jones said.
Sasha Schmid, University of Iowa women’s tennis head coach, returned to her alma mater to lead the Hawkeyes in a move she called “a dream job.” Schmid said: “It is so important for young females to have women mentors in their lives.”
Connie Robertson has dedicated much of her life to bringing tennis to communities across the state of Kansas. She was given the President’s Award at the 2023 USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference for her ongoing organizational work, particularly with Native American tribes in Kansas.
organizational work, particularly with Native American tribes in Kansas.
MONTHS
Click here for the latest USTA Missouri Valley news and be on the lookout for Hispanic Heritage Month starting in September.
In partnership with the Stephanie Waterman Foundation, the USTA Missouri Valley hosted an AAPI Heritage Month kickoff event featuring Vania King. King— a Wimbledon and US Open doubles champion—helped run a tennis clinic at the event for kids/adults and sat down for a Q&A session with participants.
USTA Missouri captain, league player and NTRP National Championships competitor Steve Seo has a blast playing tennis with his wife and son as well. “As I play tennis, I feel like I have become a better person,” said Seo, who was born and raised in Korea.
After a one-year break, the Love Wins tournament returned to St. Louis during Pride Month. “It’s just really important to have events like this to bring forth visibility,” said Jamie Hansen, the tournament’s director.
Newly hired Plaza Tennis Center Facility Manager Jacob Beck wants to ensure the facility emphasizes community and inclusivity. He helped organize a Pride Month Smash Hit Celebration to promote tennis, fun and community spirit.
SOCIAL SHOUTOUT
JUNIORS
L2 Tournament: Players from throughout the section and beyond traveled to Prairie Village, Kansas to compete in the L2 tournament at Harmon Park. Click on the photo to browse the Facebook album.
Rally in the Valley: The prestigious USTA Missouri Valley Rally in the Valley Championships—formally named Sweet 16—featured many of the top junior boys’ and girls’ competitors from USTA Missouri Valley battling it out in the Oklahoma heat and wind.
ADULTS
Tennis On Campus: Four teams punched their ticket to Nationals at our Section Championships this past March!
L1 Husband/Wife: This national tournament was hosted at Overland Park Racquet Club, one of the many premier facilities in the section! Click to view the post on Facebook.
LEAGUES
Fourth Place: A USTA Kansas 18 & Over men’s 4.0/4.5/5.0 tri-level team placed second and a USTA Oklahoma 18 & Over men’s 3.0/3.5/4.0 tri-level squad placed fourth at the USTA National Invitationals in San Diego!
Third Place: A USTA Oklahoma 7.0 Mixed team placed third at the USTA League Mixed 55 & Over National Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona in late March!
SOCIAL SHOUTOUT
JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS
All five Junior Team Tennis qualifers have come to an end, and this year’s teams are ready to compete in the JTT Section Championships in Edmond, Oklahoma on July 16-17.
DIVERSITY
L4 Wheelchair Tournament: Midwest Adaptive Sports hosted an L4 Wheelchair Tournament which brought players all throughout the Midwest to Overland Park, Kansas to compete.
North American Indian Tennis Association: Edmond Center Court played host to the 48th annual North American Indian Tennis Association National Championships!
Vania King Event: USTA Missouri Valley kicked off Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month with an AAPI clinic with Vania King!
Project Play: Initial results show that Kansas City youth aren’t getting the recommended amount of physical activity. READ
FLEX LEAGUES
LOCAL LEAGUES
Flex Leagues offer players the opportunity to play tennis on their terms! Kansas City and Columbia Flex Leagues are underway.
A great way to stay active, socialize and improve your game.
SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE
65 & OVER SECTION INVITATIONAL
Overland Park, Kansas
July 26-28
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE
SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP II
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
August 16-18
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP IV
Springfield, Missouri
August 23-25
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP I
St. Louis, Missouri
August 2-4
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP III Tulsa, Oklahoma
August 23-25
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE MIXED SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP I Topeka, Kansas
September 6-8
USTA MISSOURI VALLEY LEAGUE MIXED SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP II
Kansas City, Missouri • September 20-22
2024 RALLY IN THE VALLEY
Singles Champions:
Boys 18s: Lawson Prather
Boys 16s: Anish Poojari
Boys 14s: Walker Nelson
Boys 12s: Samarth Gandhari
Girls 18s: Emerey Gross
Girls 16s: Adelyn Gross
Girls 14s: London Evans
Girls 12s: Emma Graves
Doubles Champions:
Boys 18s: Micah Ward/Seth Smigel
Boys 16s: TJ Shanahan/Dutch Prather
Boys 14s: Walker Nelson/Amir Khicha
Boys 12s: Carson Creevey/Taylor Goates
Girls 18s: Emerey Gross/Atra Biria
Girls 16s: Haley Hibbets/Corinne Barber
Girls 14s: London Evans/Ava Sock
Girls 12s: Emma Graves/Lily Graves
Sportsmanship Winners:
Boys 18s: Vaughn Smith
Boys 16s: Sanjay Rajkumar
Boys 14s: Peter Choi
Boys 12s: AJ Williams
Girls 18s: Skye Madatali
Girls 16s: Haley Hibbets
Girls 14s: Sophia Gooch
Girls 12s: Kenadie Dugan
Click here to watch the 2024 Rally in the Valley recap video!