June 23, 2007
Offerdahl Captures Summer Slam Title, ATA SuperChamps Compete at Top Texas Junior Tourney
The Austin Tennis Academy SuperChamp players converged on College Station last week for the biggest tournament of the year for Texas junior tennis players. The Summer Grand Slam, also known as the Texas Sectionals, the premier junior tennis tournament in Texas. Because of its great size, the full double elimination format, and its close timing with the heart of the National tournament schedule, the Summer Grand Slam is the most important tournament for National level qualification. A win over a top player at Texas Sectionals creates a ranking spike to a greater degree than any other Texas junior tournament. Austin Tennis Academy posted many great results in several draws.
On his way to the 2007 Texas Section 14s Summer Slam Championship, Jeff Offerdahl did not drop one set. Jeff outplayed each opponent, winning the final over 2nd seed Mitchell Krueger 6-4, 6-0. As the outright favorite, Jeff also overcame a unique set of pressures. One year ago, Offerdahl was seeded 17th in the 2006 Summer Slam 14s draw. He outplayed his seeding, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to finalist (5) seed Patrick Clynes 7-5, 6-4. After surging through the 2006 Texas Section summer and fall seasons, Offerdahl captured the #1 14s Texas Section ranking near the end of 2006. Going into the 2007 Summer Slam, Jeff aimed for nothing short of a gold goal.
In his first Sectionals, Charlie Shin won his 14s first round match over Kevin Wang 6-3, 6-0. Charlie lost a close second round match and fell to Salazar in the back-draw. Josh Hagar made the round of 16, advancing further as a first year 14s than he did as a second year 12s. Losing 10-8 in the super-breaker, Josh nearly defeated (4) seed Kyle Plum. In the back-draw, Josh won two close matches before losing to Coy Dobson 5 and 5. Colton Malesovas played a close first round match, losing to Trent Schussler 6-4 6-4. Matthew Sparks won a competitive first round match 10-2 in the super-breaker, then lost to Eric Tyler. Sparks rebounded well in the back-draw, winning two matches before losing to Naumann in a super-breaker.
As an 11 year old, Maggie O’Meara impressively won her first round 12s match, a close contest with Allyson Hayley. Brittany Brewster won her first round, lost to Nan Porter in the second round, then notched two ranking boosting wins in the back-draw. In a great doubles accomplishment, Brewster and O’Meara teamed up to upset (4) seeds Delgado and Fieldsend, 8-6.
Jill Saunders held high expectations going into the 2007 Summer Slam. Though she lost in the round of 16 to Abby Stainback 6 and 1, Jill re-focused to win two important matches in the back-draw. Her last match was a great battle, a 10-8 in the super-breaker loss to Kelly McDade.
Claire Cahill traded 6-3 sets in her first round match with Michelle Camp, then went on to win the super-breaker in a 10-0 shutout. Kate Cahill lost her first round match but rebounded to win a back-draw match. Shannon McLellan lost a great back-draw match, 7-5, 3-6, 10-8. The doubles team of Posas and McLellan shared the court well in an 8-3 first round doubles win. Paige Poulin and Meghan O’Rourke played with good sportsmanship in a first round doubles loss.
Cameron Relic had a very strong Sectional tournament. After winning a one-sided first round match, Relic lost his second match to Jose Martinez. Relic showed grit in winning three back-draw matches, the last one 10-4 in the super-breaker. Relic lost a fantastic fourth round back-draw qualifying match, 6-4, 6-7(6), 10-8. Esteban Kaufmann also won a very close match. Este won his first round match in a 10-7 super-breaker. Kaufmann and Relic played doubles, winning a first round match 9-7.
Especially for the 18s, Texas Sectionals may have collegiate implications. Under that glare, Mary Bain "had a breakthrough tournament" noted Head Coach Jack Newman. Mary won 3 matches, narrowly losing her second round match to Peta Lancaster 4 and 4. Ethan Horn, whose big power game clearly shows collegiate potential, upset (9) seed Andy Erickson 4 and 4. Ethan then followed up with a 4 and 1 win over John Haley before losing two close sets to semi-finalist Harry Fowler.
ATA players were energized by the high level of competition at the summer grand slam and have come home to work hard for the summer and to plan to do even better next year in College Station. Players are currently preparing for the next super champ and champ major zones, the Texas Open this weekend for boys and girls 16s, National Opens played across the country starting the end of June, and then Team national events called zonals, National Clay Courts and National Hard Courts. It will be an awesomely busy summer.
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