August 4, 2007
Texas A&M ITA Summer Circuit Results: College Level Competition, Coaches and Alumni in the Draws
In this tournament, there are no age divisions or separate qualification levels, the draw-sheets simply read "Men’s Singles" and "Women’s Singles". The ITA Summer Circuit is a four tournament regional series for college and ambitious junior players, with draws open to any willing competitors. The series’ leaders feed into a National ITA in September, though the primary purpose of the ‘ITAs’ are to prepare for the upcoming college tennis season.
Austin Tennis Academy students took advantage of the opportunity to play against college-level competition, while several ATA coaches also played in the Regional finale, held at Texas A&M University. A little older and wiser though not as physically honed, 3 members of the Austin Tennis Academy coaching staff competed in the Summer Circuit finale. Coach Estevan Strecker showed some of his former D-1 college ability, making the quarter-finals with 3 singles wins. Coach Estevan, who played 4 years at Aurburn University, retired in the quarter-final round, leading (5) seed Tyler Tarnasky 6-4, 3-2.
Coach Simon Boyce advanced to the second round with a straight set win over St. Edwards’ Kenton Venhuizen. Coach Simon fell to Duke University’s Christopher Price in a match decided in the Super-breaker.
Coach Kendall Brooks advanced to the round of 16, splitting the first two sets with Lauren Santacroce before falling in a close Super-breaker, 10-8. In doubles, Coach Simon teamed up with Conor O’Rourke, losing a close first round 9-8(5). Coach Strecker and Cameron Relic fell to Heim and Lane 8-3 in the first round.
ATA Head Coach Jack Newman played with Casey Shaw, the duo advanced to the second round. Coach Brooks and Jill Saunders posted a quarter-final doubles result, falling to SMU’s Reid and Francis (2). Texas Tech incoming freshman Ethan Horn won two matches before falling to top seed Aaron Carpenter in the third round. Entering his final junior season, Jonathon Stockdale defeated Jordan Boecker before losing to Michael Sholty in straight sets. Conor O’Rourke lost his first round match to Josh Hollis 6-2, 6-1.
Current St. Edwards’ starter Brett Powers won his first match, then fell to (9) seed Rusty Turpin. Casey Shaw played with courage against much older and stronger competition. For younger players like Casey, the ITAs provide the opportunity to see a level of tennis evolved several transitions forward. Shaw displayed no intimidation in the face of overwhelming physicality. Cameron Relic won his first round match 6-2, 6-3 over Mike Smathers.
In the Women’s Singles draw, Jill Saunders gave top seed Tiffany Tucker, of LSU, all she could handle. Tucker took the duel in 3 sets. Going into her final under 18 season, Mary Bain beat current St. Edwards’ starter and former ATA player Giselle (Gigi) Lopez 6-3, 6-2. In the main draw. Kate Cahill won a close back-draw match over Stephanie Brown 2-6, 6-4, 10-4. Jessica Waite beat Sylvia Brownfield in straight sets before falling to SMU’s Kristen Reid in the second round.
Blair Jones defeated Carolyn Palmer 6-2, 6-0 in the back-draw. Claire Cahill won a second round main-draw match 6-3, 6-1 over Magaly Rivera before falling to (9) seed Lillian Nguyen, a former student of ATA coaches and currently playing at Yale University. Victoria Noetzel played hard in two matches. Christine Schatz competed with great sportsmanship against (8) seed Ashley Turpin.
The ITA gave ATA students important opportunities to compete against college level players. It is important to recognize the willingness of ATA juniors to challenge themselves against better players. Congratulations to players and coaches who competed in the Texas A&M University ITA Summer Circuit finale!
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