Austin Tennis Academy News

April 26, 2007

San Antonio CMZ: Two Super-qualify! Strong Improvement from ATA Juniors

After this weekend's San Antonio Champ Major Zone, it would be accurate to say: "You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you don't even get to play!" Though several draws did not finish due to rain, the ATA coaches feel proud of our players this weekend for how well they competed and the character and sportsmanship that they showed. Competing in tennis builds character. It's important to learn to accept victories graciously and defeats as a challenge to improve. UCLA’s legendary basketball coach John Wooden approached every day as an opportunity to improve; ATA lived out Wooden’s theme in San Antonio, with many players showing great progress and two Super-Champ qualifying.

Matthew Lee advanced to the quarterfinal round before falling to top seeded Austin Walker in straight sets. "Josh Minor played with more intensity and passion than I have ever seen from him", Coach Brian Notis said. After 2 very tough wins including an emotional 3 set win over the #1 seed, Josh ran out of magic in the third set of his quarter final. Josh proved that when he is determined and focused, he can compete with and beat anyone at the champ 12's level. Ian Kocher played fearless in only his second champ level tournament, winning his first round match and playing with confidence and determination in the next round as well.

Daniel Wang and Benjamin Williamson showed tremendous discipline in their matches this weekend and demonstrated that they could compete hard, stay focused on their goals and maintain control throughout an entire tournament. Daniel was rewarded for his performance with a main draw quarterfinal appearance. Allie Carlisle showed that she is nearly fully recovered from the wrist injury that kept her off the courts for two months. She competed very well, winning a tough 3-setter and then losing another close 3-setter.

Both Conor O'Meara and Casey Shaw always seemed to be battling from behind, but never showed any quit while rallying. Conor clawed back in his consolation match from 4-1 down in the first against a very strong opponent, and Casey saved no less than 10 match points in his match on Sunday and probably a few on Saturday as well. Brandon Kivlin showed great improvement during this tournament by falling just short in a match against a player who handily beat him just a few months ago.

Nine ATA players advanced to Sunday play, including 5 players in the main draw semi-finals: Eliot, Claire, Charlie, Greyson and Blair. Eliot and Claire won their qualifying matches to advance to SuperChamps on Saturday. Their Sunday matches were for pride and the opportunity to bring home a major zone championship. Although he didn't know it, Greyson was playing his qualifying match in the semi-final round. For Charlie, it was his first champ tournament after winning last month's ZAT. Blair Jones competed well in her first champ tournament in G18's. Both were playing very well and dominating their draws. Unfortunately, the mist came mid morning and never let up all afternoon Sunday, so none of our players were able to complete their semi-final matches That's where the "sometimes you don't get to play at all" comes in!. Eliot was in a third set, Claire was up 6-0, 2-0 and Greyson was ahead 5-1, 40-love in the first set of his qualifying match. Neither Charlie nor Blair even had a chance to get started before the rain. Coach Notis "was very impressed at how our players handled the disappointment of not getting a chance to complete their tournament".

Congratulations to Claire and Eliot for qualifying to SuperChamps. Greyson, Blair and Charlie will be poised to finish what they started next month in Kerrville! Let's all hope for good weather!

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