Austin Tennis Academy News

May 5, 2008

ATA a Force in Kerrville, Dylan Ritter, Allie Burak to Supers

At the Kerrville Champ Major Zone May 3rd and 4th, the Austin Tennis Academy was, as Coach Notis said: “a force to be reckoned with”, showing great on-court results, attitude and effort. Allie Burak and Dylan Ritter both Super-Champ qualified and Carli Knezevich played her way within one point of qualification. Coach Brian Notis and Coach John Schoenmakers were on-site around Kerrville.

Allie Burak dominated the 12s division without dropping a set. In five wins, Allie’s closest set was a 6-4 tally in the first round. Coach Notis said, “Allie played several matches that appeared closer than the final score, she competed with poise through out the draw”. With the draw victory Allie qualifies for the Super-Champ level in just three Champ tournaments. In her final round match, Allie defeated ATA teammate Carli Knezevich in two sets. With three main-draw wins, including a 7-5, 6-4 win over (4) seed Maire Clayton, Knezevich is one point away from a Super-Champ designation. Savannah Brilliant lost two close sets to Jessica Vieira in the first round.

Dylan Ritter was ready to Super-qualify this weekend. In three main-draw wins Dylan was “confident and poised”, said Coach Notis. In his qualifying match, Dylan left no doubt about his Super-Champ ability, dismissing (3) Samuel Gao 6-2, 6-1. Zane Ritter won three main-draw matches, winning the second volume of what has become an epic series with (2) seed Krishna Jana: 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. Last month in San Antonio, Jana outlasted Zane 6-4 in the third set. Zane’s willingness to “fight through adversity” is a big reason he’s primed to Super-Qualify said Coach Notis. Payton Holden rolled through his first two main-draw opponents, trouncing Julian Oda 6-0, 6-0 to make the quarter-final round. Breck Spencer won his first round over Michael Tang 6-1, 6-2. Austin Doyle won two main-draw rounds for the second consecutive Champ Major Zone, outlasting Andrew Miller 6-0, 1-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarter-final round. In a second round loss, Breck played Eric Morris very close, losing 7-5, 7-6(5). Pierce Kelley played what Coach Simon called “tough tennis”, posting a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3. Greyson Brilliant won two back-draw matches, beating B.G. Slay 6-3, 6-1, while Daniel Howell and Ryan Burak each played two matches in their first Champ tournament experiences.

Allie Carlisle won two girls 14s back-draw matches, competing well to beat Marissa Lopez 6-3, 6-4. Beating Jenna McCready 6-3, 6-2 and Jennifer Lawton 6-3, 6-3 both in the main-draw, Christine Schatz showed her recent focus. Christine overcame a back injury to make the girls 16s main-draw quarter-final round in Kerrville.

Daniel Wang won two three set matches on his way to the final round. In the second round, Daniel overcame a 1-6 first set to Michael Martin, winning the final two frames 7-5, 7-5. And in the semi-final round, Wang again came back from a first set loss to beat (2) Kristofer Andresen 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. All weekend “Daniel dug himself out of holes” commented Notis, adding that “any more performances like that and Daniel will be a Super-Champ”.

The Kerrville Champ Major Zone was a fantastic event for the Austin Tennis Academy, two students qualified and several are primed to quickly follow. The ATA staff is excited by these results and looks forward to more strong results and Super qualifiers at the June 13th-15th Harlingen Champ Major Zone. Register now, the deadline for entry is June 1st.

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