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ATA Athletes Earn Titles At All Levels In Major Zones
Corpus Christi, Wichita Falls, Deer Park and Dallas hosted the ATA Academy athletes this past weekend as they traveled throughout the state to compete in the February major zones.
The recent themes of practice have all had foundations in the idea that results are earned in preparation; that success lags behind hard work.
Brittany Brewster understands this sentiment fully, putting in hard work even when sidelined from an injury. This past weekend Brewster’s work paid off, beating every girl she faced on her way to taking the Girls 18s A draw singles title.
Also in the girls 18s, Abigail Chiu won her first 3 matches to reach the quarterfinals. She took down Sofia Vega-Molina 7-5, 5-7;10-6 in the round of 16 to reach the final 8. There, she fell in a hard fought match versus teammate and eventual champion, Brewster. Chiu also teamed up with partner, Chang, to win the girls 18s B draw doubles title.
“I thought Abigail and Brittany were both playing very high levels of tennis and competing well,” Coach Kendall Brooks said. “Its unfortunate they had to face each other before anything other than the final.”
Keaton Qualls qualified for Super Champs after an undefeated weekend at the Wichita Falls Champ Major Zone. Qualls overcame the top seeded Reece Ringnald in the semifinals 6-4, 0-6, 6-3, before taking the title with a 6-2, 6-0 victory in the final round.
“Qualls body slammed the competition and too home the gold” Coach Alvin said.
Justin Allen fought his way to the finals of his draw in Wichita Falls. He eliminated William Lu in the semis 6-2, 6-1.
Mikaela Pope rebounded after being edged out in a tough three set opening round to win three consecutive matches. Pope pummeled the number 4-seeded Ashlyn Abbe in the consolation finals, 6-3, 6-1.
Austin Priess won his first six sets on the tournament to reach the final round.
“Austin Priess was very impressive on his way to the final of the CMZ Wichita Falls,” Coach Norm said.
Also, in the Deer Park CMZ, Avery Schiffman lost in the third set tiebreaker in the girls 12s final round.
“It was a very good tournament for her as she moves closer to Supers,” Coach Kendall said.
At the Dallas 12s and 14s super champ major zone, Jake Berber reached the quarterfinals of his singles draw, and earned the championship of his boy’s 14s doubles draw. Berber beat Miha Valencic 6-4, 6-4 for his third singles victory to reach the final 8. He and partner, Christie, teamed up to win four doubles matches to take the title. The defeated Gray/Morris in the semifinals 9-7, and Jakubowski/Oshinowo in the finals 8-4.
“Jake competed well even when not having his best day striking the ball,” Coach Collins said. “He won a tough round of 16 match by competing well and winning the big points.”
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Julian Sweeney and Jack Schiffman also teamed up to reach the finals of the boys 14s B draw doubles in their first super major zone.
In the Austin Tennis Academy Glimmer Of Hope ZAT, Maria Giral qualified for Champs by storming through her draw, never losing more than 5 games in a match while winning 5 straight.
“What can I say about Maria, she was head and shoulders over her competition,” Coach Strecker said. “She should never have been in a ZAT and she proved she belongs in higher levels. I think if she stays focused and keeps working hard, champ to supers will be a short road as well.”
Brooks Lane won his first four matches to reach the finals of his boy’s 14s draw. He beat the number one seeded Luke Imperial 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Also in the boys 14s, Marcus Sweeney won his first two matches without dropping a game, to reach the semifinal round.
“I really like watching Brooks,” Strecker said. “I think he had the best tournament of his short career. He felt the pressure of the final, but all the matches leading up to it were of very high quality. Same for Marcus as he played really well until his champing up match where he felt the pressure.”
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Elena defeated the number 2 seeded Andrea Sherwell 6-1, 6-2 to open the consolation draw after dropping her first round match.
“Another player that impressed me this weekend was Elena” Strecker said. “She lost first round, but played well and was hitting the ball the best I have ever seen. Struggled with serving, but competed at a very high level.”
Jordyn Kanak opened her tournament with two singles victories to reach the quarterfinals of the girls 16s draw. She beat Hailey Burgess 7-5, 6-2 before going down in a tough three set match in the quarters.
“Last but not least, Jordyn Kanak also competed well,” Strecker said. “I think she is very close to breaking through. She has the strokes of a champ for sure, just needs to put it all together in one weekend.”
Congratulations to all who competed this past weekend. Good luck to Josh Hagar as he competes internationally in the Junior ITF tournaments, and Ashley Weinhold as she competes professionally in Midland this week. Follow his progress on twitter by searching #ATAResults!
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