July 2015 – AUSTIN TENNIS ACADEMY

ATA COLLEGE PREP places students at Forbes Top 10 Colleges!

Forbes magazine recently published its top 10 ranking of American colleges. With Payton Holden’s recent commitment to Princeton University for the Fall of 2017 and Spencer Chiu’s acceptance to Pomona College and Camilla Trapness’ acceptance to Amherst, ATA COLLEGE PREP High School has in the past few months placed students at the #1, #4 and #9 ranked colleges! Congrats to the Founding Head of ATA College Prep Carol Hagar, the teachers, students and their parents for a job well done!

Click here to see the full list of Forbes college rankings.

SCMZ Abilene and San Antonio

ATA had a lot of success in the SCMZ’s for BG12 and 14 in Abilene and BG16 and 18 in San Antonio.

ABILENE

G14s was dominated by ATA players. Anushka and Megha Dania took 1st place in doubles and 1st (Megha) and 2nd (Anushka) place in singles for ‘A’ draw. While Caroline Wernli dominated her first G14s ‘B’ draw playing up from G12s. She took 1st place in singles and doubles!

In Abilene, Anushka Dania and James Cockrell won the sportsmanship awards for BG12 and 14s! They both fought through tough matches and James lost 2 matches in third set TB. They are both tremendous competitors and it is awesome to see them succeed in their attitude/mental game on the court also.

SAN ANTONIO

B16s in San Antonio, Bailey Forgus and Tyler Anson made it to the finals of their draw in singles and they both captured 2nd place.

G16s took over the ‘A’ draw singles with Callie Creath taking 2nd place, Kristin Kerrigan taking 3rd and Georgia Wright winning the BD. In doubles Callie and Kristin took 1st place!

B18s no break for Alejandro Rodriguez, he came back from playing National Clay Courts and took 2nd place in his draw. Jake Berber and his partner captured the title in the B18d ‘A’ draw.

G18s Hunter Bleser took 2nd place and Meghan O’Malley made it to the BD finals of ‘A’ draw.

ATA Players Outstanding Performances at Clay Court Nationals

Coach Newman on B18s and B16s performances:

In Delray Beach, Grayson Broadus, Chase Bartlett, Payton Holden, Jake Berber and Granville Kaynor played in the USTA Boys 18s National Clay Court championships. Down the street in Boca Raton Jesse Wilso and Alejandro Rodriguez played in the Boys 16s.

Payton Holden advanced to the fourth round of the main. Chase Bartlett had a number of good wins.

Not to be outdone, ATA’s 16s had excellent performances as well. In his 3rd Round main draw match Jesse Wikso battled for two hours in one of the best sets of tennis played at the event. He and his opponent regularly had 20 shot rally’s of high velocity, high quality shots, the tennis played for those two hours would have been welcomed by any play in the finals of the event.

In August of 2014, Alejandro Rodriguez played his first Boys 16s ‘A’ draw. One year later he is vying for a ball at the Boys 16s L1 clay court nationals. How is this possible? The process, while fairly simply, is not easy: set a goal that really excites you, set up a plan to reach that goal, do EVERYTHING within your power to accomplish that goal. Alejandro won the Bronze ball for 3rd place at Boys 16d Clay Court Nationals. He also competed well in 7 singles matches.

Coach Notis on Alejandro’s doubles, Harrison’s singles and Dania Sisters’ Performances:

Amazing energy from Alejandro and Wilson in their doubles. I watched 2 of their matches and they were on a mission. Alejandro definitely got out of his comfort zone and played more aggressively than ever. He and his partner really stepped up in some pressure situations including tie breaks early in the tournament against some very good quality teams.

Harrison won 3 matches at B14s Clays. He played better and better throughout the tournament showing willingness to dictate play and come forward.

Megha and Anushka really impressed me in doubles with how well they competed against 2 of the very best girls in the country in their age group. They were not intimidated and showed that they already compete at that level and are only getting better! Anushka won 2 rounds in singles and a round in doubles and Megha won a round of singles and doubles.

Coach Lucie on G18’s Performances:

Abigail competed well, winning a total of 4 singles matches and losing in the round of 16 in doubles in a close 3-set match. Hunter and her partner reached the quarterfinals of doubles. Camilla, even though she didn’t have any wins, played some of her best tennis and I have no doubt she will be an impact player for her Amherst team.

Also, competing in the G16s, Callie Creath won a round of singles and then lost in a close third set TB.

Coach Brandon and Coach Kendall’s Zonal Teams Highlights July 2-6

ATA had a large number of players in the 12’s,14’s and 16’s Zonal Team Championships held all over the nation. Coach Brandon and Coach Kendall were also involved and coached a couple of teams with some ATA players on their team. Here is a few words and highlights from them on the teams that they coached.

Coach Brandon’s Team Highlights from Zonals in Shreveport, LA

Team Texas had a great week at the Boy’s and Girl’s 16’s Intersectionals in Shreveport. It s a phenomenal event where the entire community comes out to support and watch, which gives it a special feel. Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club also does an amazing job hosting and running the event. All players who get the opportunity to play here should jump on it!

Alejandro was the only player from ATA who was on Coach Brandon’s team this year and he had a very solid week helping team Texas get second place! We had a great group of boys and girls who really came together as a team this week. Our team had the best chemistry and spirit out of any of the teams and it proved pivotal in many of our matches. All the members of our team(Jaycer Lyeons, Kevin Zhu, Alejandro, Alex Wesbrooks, Janice Shin, Sydney Jones, Chelsea Kung, and Maddie Hwang) did a fantastic job all week with their attitude and their willingness to take information and improve throughout the week!

In the final against Southern California we lost a really tough 5-4 decision. It had the feel of a collegiate match and was really fun to be a part of. How the format works is there are 3 girls singles matches, 3 boys singles matches, 1 boys doubles 8-game pro-set, 1 girls doubles 8-game pro-set, and one mixed doubles 8-game pro-set and every one of these matches counts for one point. After singles we were trailing 2-4 heading into doubles. We got a big win in the mixed doubles to make it 3-4 with boys and girls doubles left on. The boys were able to win in a tie-breaker but the girls came up against really tough team and couldn’t get the victory. All in all it was an amazing week for our team, we definitely surprised a lot of people and all the credit goes to the players and the spirit they brought to the event.

Coach Kendall’s Team Highlights from Zonals in Waco, TX

Jesse Wikso and Adi Ford were on the team I coached. Our team, Texas B, defeated Florida, Pacific Northwest, Northern and Caribbean teams in round robin play to advance to the finals. We beat The top Florida team 11-7 in the final to win the championship! Both Jesse and Adi were instrumental in that victory, as well as doing a great job all week long. They were both mentally strong and great teammates throughout the event. Our teams energy was awesome and we all had great team spirit throughout the event, which helped in tight situations and close matches. Zonals is a great event and atmosphere and everyone should be trying to get on a team.

Callie Creath and Kristin Kerrigan’s teams were both successful also and they received much praise from their coaches. Annika Pandey got in as on site alternate and played on a PNW team. I know she represented Texas and ATA well for her team.

College Visits: Try Before You Buy

from Carol

There is no better way to understand the culture of a school than to be on the campus, take a tour, and visit with current students and admissions officers. If you are able to take advantage of this part of your college search, it will bring you confidence that your selection is the best fit – academically, athletically, and culturally.

During a visit, you are evaluating the school.

How will this environment serve your growth and development? What criteria are most important to you? Consider the location, population, class size, programs and degrees, social opportunities, post-graduation opportunities.

During the application process, the school is evaluating you.

How will you positively impact this community? Do you have the necessary attributes to be successful here – competitive grades, scores, rankings, community service activities? Do your homework. Research the school’s website.

On your visit… Be Yourself

Take a tour. Ask questions. Visit with the guide. He or she is usually a student and will love to talk about personal experiences at the school. Walk the campus, set up an interview with admissions. If available, sit in on a class. Visit the student center or lounge. Visit the dining halls. Visit the library. These are the places that can give you a sense of the campus culture.

Academics… Educate Yourself

How many students can you expect in your lower and upper level courses – 15 or 150? Is this a teaching university or a research university? Who teaches classes – professors or grad students? What year are you required to declare a major? Can you double major? Is your major available to athletes? Is academic scholarship available? Meet with an admissions counselor.

Athletics… Develop Yourself

When you are considering the best fit for pursuing athletics, consider the goal. How do you hope to use tennis as a tool for your personal development? Which school is more appropriate for your goals? Are you hoping to further your training to become a professional athlete? What type of coaching style do you prefer? How many are on the team roster? How many spots do they have for your graduation year? Is scholarship money available? Are you competitive with the players currently on the team (UTR)? Visit the sports facilities. Meet with the coach.

Culture… Know Yourself

All of the above criteria creates culture, but you should also pay attention to details. Is the school located in the heart of a big city? Is it a small school? or is it a school the size of a small city? What is the ratio of undergraduates to graduates? What clubs or other student activities may be of interest to you? Art? Singing? Greek life? Philanthropic work? Is there a travel abroad program? What are the opportunities after graduation? Does this culture fit YOU?

Before You Go

Write: 1) your personal statement – a few sentences about who you are and what you want from your college experience; 2) your numbers – GPA, SAT/ACT, UTR; 3) questions for admissions, coaches, students. Keep this with you during tours and interviews to take notes and to remind you of your questions.

After Your Visit

Jot down pertinent and interesting facts. Take pictures to remind yourself later of some of the unique things about the school and the people. Do this during or immediately after your visit while it is fresh on your mind.

Summary

A ‘good college’ is one that fits you. It supports your goals and dreams. College visits are like trying on clothes before you make a selection. Prior to purchasing an entire 4-year wardrobe of a college or university, try it on for size, color, style, and comfort. It will likely increase your satisfaction by ten-fold!

College and the Perfect Mix by Carol Hagar

Carol Hagar, Head of ATA College Prep, has written the following memo on how to get into the college of your dreams and factors to consider in deciding if that college is a good fit for you. Click here to download a PDF version of the memo.

College Picks and the Perfect Mix

by Carol Hagar

What is the magic formula to get into the college of your dreams? And how will you know if you can pay, play, and make the grade? There is no single magic formula, but there are some basic ingredients that can get you into the kitchen… IF you are willing to dedicate yourself to the process.

The complete potion requires time and discernment – which can be aided by parents, coaches and mentors – but let’s begin with the basics. A few key ingredients are: grades, tests scores, senior schedule, athletics and most importantly, your character.

1) Grades: Most schools (and NCAA) will look at your GPA using your core classes, not with the added inflation of electives and PE grades. As a general rule: there is no minimum number of courses for college entrance. It is expected that you complete an English, a math, a natural science, and a social science class each year, as well as 2-4 years of a second language, and an array of electives. It is also expected that you have taken the most challenging course load that your school offers AND that you can do well in. College admissions will review and ask, “Are you a good fit for our school, meaning will you be successful? Have you been steady and diligent throughout high school and kept a solid GPA? Have you taken a challenging array of courses?” If you are looking at top tier schools, they expect you to have taken top classes in your high school – AP or honors or dual credit – proving your ability and desire to study and learn. If not, what are the extenuating circumstances?

2) Standardized tests: Because it is difficult to fully assess the variants inherent in comparing hundreds of thousands of high schools, teachers, courses, etc., college admissions compare standardized ACT or SAT scores. Critical Reading and Math comprise the number that colleges use to determine your admissibility. A quick visit to the school’s website will give you the middle range of scores for incoming freshmen. Merit-based aid is usually awarded beginning at 1200 (critical reading + math) but requirements may be higher or lower depending on the school’s percentage acceptance rate. For students who are motivated to do well and have the aptitude to study, there are many companies, tutors, websites and books available for test prep at a variety of fees. Before employing a service, I recommend that you request a baseline assessment and a guarantee for a percentage of score increase.

3) Senior Course Schedule: Colleges determine your acceptance based on your performance through your junior year. It is expected that you will continue in a disciplined manner throughout your senior year. The courses you select for your senior year are the last opportunity for you to prepare for the next level of academic rigor. College admissions officers want to see that you are challenging yourself and performing at your best in preparation for their coursework for the following year. Choose wisely!

4) Athletics: What does it take to get noticed by tennis coaches? On a recent trip to the boys 16-18’s nationals in Kalamazoo, I visited with several college coaches and from those discussions, I compiled the following list of desirable traits:

a) Rankings and significant wins against players with similar profiles to their current roster

b) Technique and technical skill

c) Potential and desire to further develop as an athlete

d) Intelligent shot selection and ability to craft a point

e) Attitude and resiliency

f) Discipline and work ethic

g) Ability to lead teammates by positive example

5) Character: If you will notice in the list above, it includes more character attributes than physical or ranking results. Winning is very important, but so are your attitude and sportsmanship. How do you translate to others the all-important, intangible character attributes that you possess and practice? Are you active in any community service activities? Do you volunteer? Have you been committed to a cause or project over a period of time? Do you have a job? Have you experienced hardship? What makes you unique? Your ability to prioritize, goal set and make the decisions to meet them will set you apart from the rest.
In summary, winning matches is the best way to get the first look from college coaches. Your discipline and dedication will keep them looking. But it is your attitude, resiliency, and ‘coachability’ that will make them a true fan.

How can parents help in guiding the college process?

As in all major decisions affecting the life of your child, you want the very best for him or her. Determine whether this is yours or your child’s decision, or a combination of both. This will avoid frustration and will serve to clarify goals. Guide your child in how to research colleges using the factors meaningful to your family values and requirements. Make sure that the school is a good match academically, culturally, and athletically. Your child will be spending a great deal of time with the coach and team, who will serve as a second family during the next four years. Here are a few things to consider:

Philosophy of the school
Academic match
Network for chosen studies
Coaching style
Culture of the team
Importance and potential of playing time
Cost: athletic/academic scholarship vs. financial aid
Location, distance, and ease of visits

Although it appears to be an arduous task with many variables, this creative process can be an enjoyable experience. Prioritize your personal formula and stay true to the recipe.

The time you begin this process depends on the preparedness of you and your child. Begin to gather the ingredients and, regardless of where you are in the process, categorize them and play with the possibilities. Eventually, everything ripens and is ready to create a unique and powerful opportunity.

Looking forward!

Carol Hagar

Head of ATA College Prep

Carol.Hagar@AustinTennisAcademy.com