Austin Tennis Academy News: Corpus Christi Champ Major Zone: Many Great Results, Blair Jones SuperQualifies

August 9, 2007

Corpus Christi Champ Major Zone: Many Great Results, Blair Jones SuperQualifies

Notorious for its powerful humidity and erratic swirling winds, Corpus Christi can present strong natural adversity for any tennis athlete. Fourteen Austin Tennis Academy students braved all adversities, competing in the August 3-5 Corpus Christi Champ Major Zone. There were many great results as ATA competitors played with sportsmanship and great effort. Blair Jones earned a Super-Champ qualification, winning the 18s draw with high level play. ATA Coaches Ryan Simme, Kendall Brooks and Estevam Strecker caught the action firsthand.

Young Jake Berber picked up a 12s main draw win over Houston’s Collin Hecht 6-1, 6-4. In the same division, Ian Kocher “played solid tennis in all four of his matches,” noted Coach Brooks. Ian won two matches, advancing to the finals of the back-draw. Zane Ritter lost a very close back-draw match 4-6, 7-6, 10-6 to Neil Patel. Dylan Ritter lost his first round in straight sets, then beat Ryan O’Keefe 6-4, 7-5. In girls 14s Allie Carlisle lost a battle with Jessica Zak 3-6, 6-4, 10-5. Allie then won a back-draw match over Meg Cahill, who played hard in two matches. In boys 14s, Derek Wang lost his first round to 6-2, 2-6, 10-8. Derek went on to win 4 back-draw matches, taking the back-draw title. Greyson Brilliant played hard in two matches.

Victoria Noetzel beat Natalie Dolan 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the 16s title match. In the final, Victoria fell to a very consistent Jacinta Leyden in straight sets. Adrian Turner beat Abby Dill 7-5, 2-6, 12-10 in a great first round contest. Christine Schatz won two matches in the super-breaker 10-7 and 10-8, advancing to the semi-final round. In 18s girls, Blair Jones overcame Christy Cloud in the quarters 6-2, 3-6, 10-1, then won her semi-final in straight sets before outlasting Kelsie Lawson in the final 3-6, 6-2, 10-8. With the draw win, Blair qualifies for SuperChamp 18s. In a solid start to her 18s career, Jessica Waite captured two main-draw wins.

Great job and congratulations to all ATA competitors and everyone who played in the August Corpus Christi Champ Major Zone. ATA looks forward to another great experience at the September Champ Major Zone in Tyler.

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