Austin Tennis Academy News

November 6, 2007

Plano Champ Major Zone: Waite 18s Finalist, November Success for ATA

The Austin Tennis Academy’s November junior tournament schedule began in Plano over the 3-4 weekend at the Plano Champ Major Zone. The players handled themselves with class, posted good results and showed improvement. Austin Tennis Academy Head Coach Jack Newman, along with Coaches Estevam Strecker and Anthony Martinez traveled to Plano as the on-site coaching staff.

In boys 12s, Conor O’Meara lost a close first round match, rebounding to win 4 matches, including what Coach Newman describes as a “dominating” back-draw final win over Keenan Rico 6-0, 6-1. In the same draw, Jake Berber won two main-draw matches, advancing to the quarterfinal round. Dylan Ritter fell to ATA teammate Berber in three sets, playing well to win two back-draw matches. Zane Ritter played a close match with Triston Liu, falling in three sets. In a similarly close match, Payton Holden eventually fell to Michael Matusiak, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. In his first Champ tournament Breck Spencer won his first round 6-3, 6-1 over Joel Brisky.

In boys 14s, Greyson Brilliant bounced back from a 1st round loss to win two back-draw matches, including a 3 hour back and forth struggle with Colin Kantor 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5). In the same division, Austin Doyle and Andrew Levitan each played hard in their matches. Casey Shaw came back from a first round loss to win two back-draw matches. In girls 14s, Allie Carlisle competed in two singles matches.

In girls 16s, Christine Schatz beat Hannah Jones 6-4, 7-5, “striking the ball very well”, according to Coach Newman. In girls 18s, Jessi Waite survived a grueling first round match, finishing strong to defeat Laura Palomino 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Jessi elevated her level in her next matches, earning finalist honors. Coach Newman noted that Jessi “started as a beginner in the ATA program 4 years ago and has worked to learn the skills, technically, tactically, physically and mentally to be ready to compete at the superchamp level.” And, Adrian Turner played hard in two matches, nearly winning the first set in her first round.

Congratulations to players and family on strong results at the Plano Champ Major Zone. The ATA staff looks forward to the December Champ Major Zone here in Austin. Register now, the deadline for entry is November 15th.

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