February 15, 2007
ATA Players Thaw the Georgetown Junior Freeze
This past weekend, many ATA players competed in what is called an open tournament. There are many open tournaments that any player can enter. Often times these tournaments offer qualified and unqualified divisions, sometimes all players are combined. These tournaments, which are played above and beyond the monthly ZAT, Champ Major Zone or SuperChamp Major Zone, give player a chance to gain valuable experience under match pressure, often times closer to home. For players trying to become top level competitors, two tournaments a month is a way to try to bring the total pressure (read that tournament) match count up.
Jeff Horn, father of ATA senior Ethan Horn called me on Monday morning at 7am. "Jack, I could not have been more proud wearing my ATA sweatshirt this weekend in Georgetown. Not only did the ATA players place well, but they competed hard every match, win or lose. I was really proud of all of the ATA players." That's a great way to start a Monday.
Zoe Kearl battled both illness and her opponents to make her a main draw semifinalist in the qualified G14 draw. Zoe combined winning, competing and working on new elements of her game to have one of her best tournament experiences ever.
Lizzie McWilliams battled and battled and battled. While she did not get the W, she did compete hard for every point of the match. Competing hard every time you go out is one thing that helps you improve as a competitor. Lizzie made this a priority this past weekend.
Molly Fisher, new to the junior academy program was a finalist in the G12 draw, competing fiercely. Jessica Clouse was a main draw semifinalist in the same draw.
Both Ethan Horn in the qualified B18 draw and Jeffrey Offerdahl in the qualified B16 draw came home tournament champions. Jeffrey has been working diligently in practice on a down the line backhand. After his final he said: "Coach, I must have hit 15 down the line backhand winners in this tournament. When you practice things, they are there for you in tournaments" I hope all our players gain this knowledge. We are asking Academy players to set a goal each day they are at practice and to evaluate themselves overall. We are in our third week of this practice and will be mailing home to parents the sheets once we complete 4 weeks of goals and evaluations.
In the boys 12s qualified draw ATA was well represented by Conor O'Meara, Greyson Brilliant and by quarterfinalist Matthew Lee. Andrew Levitan won a match and had a fantastic match against #3 seed Tyler Tisdale.
In the boys 14s qualified draw, Este Kaufmann made it to the round of 16 in the main draw, Josh Hagar competed like a mad man in the back draw, dropping a rough battle to Jacob Rother in three tough, tough sets. Eliot Blatt was knocked out of the tournament not by an opponent, but by illness.
Drew Weinstock was the #1 seed in Boys 16s. Both Jon Stockdale and Cameron Relic fell to teammate Offerdahl in the Boys 16s qualified draw. Both felt like they competed well.
Savannah Brilliant went 2-1 in the girls 10s round robin. Blair Jones led the ATA girls 16s qualified group with a main draw semis victory, defeating #3 seed Andrene Dabaghi in the quarterfinals. Claire Cahill, Jessi Waite and Adrian Turner rounded out ATA entries in the girls 16s draw.
Will Douglas won the B12 TAMU invitation in College Station over the same weekend.
Back to News Summary
+1 512.276.2271
+1 512.276.2272
