February 25, 2007
Hagar, O’Rourke See Next Level, Vinsant Plays Spoiler Twice for Offerdahl at National Open
National level success is the cornerstone for NCAA scholarship dollars. Today’s college coaches need to see the ability to compete with the nation’s best before making the commitment to an American junior. In younger age groups, Academy juniors learn to love the pressure of a National scope and deep quality of competition. Five ATA juniors played the National Opens in El Paso and San Antonio this past week.
Mary Bain and Jill Saunders traveled with Coach Cristina Moros to San Antonio for the G16 National Open. Mary Bain won her first round match, improving her national ranking. Jill Saunders, seeded #12 made a run to the quarterfinals before bowing out to eventual finalist Millie Nichols. Both girls gained valuable experience at the national level.
Josh Hagar, Jeffrey Offerdahl and Conor O’Rourke competed in the B14 National Open in El Paso over the weekend, all three in the 14s draw. The Open is the first national level tournament in the 14s for Josh Hagar, who turns 13 in May. After falling 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, Hagar bounced back, playing hard in a 6-4, 6-4, loss to fellow Texan Chase Curry. Though he went down in the first round of the main and consolation draws, playing up in the 14s is a valuable experience for Hagar.
Conor O’Rourke at his first National 14s event took down Daniel Collins 7-6(5) 6-2 in the first round before falling to David Packowitz 6-0, 6-0. In the back draw, Conor lost to Tulsa’s Evan McElwain 6-4, 6-0.
Jeffrey Offerdahl, #1 ranked in Texas Section 14s and seeded 6th, fought through resilient Austinite Robin Chou in a second round battle 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. Jeffrey then cruised through the round of 16 with a 6-4, 6-0 win. The ability to bring a tough-minded game after going the distance in the previous round set Jeffrey apart in 2006 and is part of the plan in 2007. Offerdahl’s best match of the tournament came in the semifinals, beating second seeded Jose Martinez of Houston in straight sets. In the singles final, Offerdahl could not match top seeded Shane Vinsant, 1-6, 5-7. Overcoming all contestants, Vinsant split sets three times, including a win over Jack Sock, 7-6(5) in the third set.
Doubles play at the National level runs parallel to NCAA competition, as an 8 game pro set decides. Offerdahl teamed up with Jorge Salazar, singles quarterfinalist traveling with ATA. The duo fell in the semis to Shane Vinsant and Dane Webb 8-5. O’Rourke and Hagar rebounded well from tough singles matches to take out New York’s Ian Van Cott and Illinois’ Tim Kopinski 8-6 before falling in the second round.
The National Open in El Paso was a great experience for ATA’s three competitors. Hagar and O’Rourke saw the next level of National competition, while Jeffrey Offerdahl continued his 14s National level success. As 2007 continues, Austin Tennis Academy and its competitors will look to build on great early results like these.
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