March 5, 2008
Daniel's Day in SA, a Brilliant Qualification, ZAT recap
20 Austin Tennis Academy ZAT players competed in the San Antonio Tennis Association ZAT. Savannah Brilliant qualified for Champ level 12s, while others like Daniel Howell and Meghan O’Malley made strong strides towards qualifying. Junior Development Director Kendall Brooks and Coach Loren Collins were on-site in San Antonio.
For Daniel Howell, the San Antonio ZAT was a break through event. A talented ball-striker, Daniel is “one of the hardest and most consistent workers in the Academy Program”, said ATA Coach Brian Notis. In San Antonio, Daniel added a “fighting spirit and high energy attitude”, Coach Collins said, “Daniel’s court presence and energy level rose every round, and with it his game rose.” Howell howled past Austin Priess 6-1, 7-5 in the semi-final round, erupting with a “let’s go” after a late second set ad-side ace. In the highest level match of the weekend, Daniel fell to Carlos Hornedo 6-3, 6-4, with many games decided by the no-ad deuce format. Daniel competed courageously, executing an aggressive, high energy game plan that he and ATA Coach Brian Notis are honing. Daniel is well-positioned to Champ qualify with one more strong showing.
Savannah Brilliant shined in San Antonio, winning four matches to make the final round. In a semi-final match that decided her Champ level qualification, Savannah outlasted Tatiana Bujnoch 7-6(3), 6-7(2), 10-6, playing what Coach Brooks termed “great, gutsy tennis, hitting out on the ball the whole tournament, showing she is ready for the Champ level”.
In other action, Meghan O’Malley fell just short of qualifying for Champs, Coach Brooks pointing out: “Meghan had a strong tournament, she came up a little bit short against a very consistent player”. Jaxon Immler showed “progress setting up and working for points against a steady opponent”, said Coach Loren. Jaxon won his first round match over Cooper Morrison 6-4, 6-3. Neel Kumar won the 14s back-draw, also showing competitive progress. Jessica Clouse won a main-draw match, “using her powerful forehand to dictate off the first ball”, said Coach Collins. Ryan Burak won his opening match, while James Seward lost to Eward Yu in a battle: 5-7, 6-4, 10-6.
Congratulations to the Austin Tennis Academy’s SATA ZAT competitors. Next month, ATA will seek more positive results at the Waco ZAT, April 12-13. Register now, the deadline for entry is March 31st.
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