Austin Tennis Academy News

November 5, 2008

ATA's 18s Jr Team Tennis 'Dream Team' Takes Third at Nationals

Just as the 14 and under teams returned from the 2008 Jr Team Tennis National Championships, Austin Tennis Academy’s 18 and under team traveled to Mobile Al. to try and match their success. With an overall team record of 4-2, the 18 and under Dream Team earned third place in the Advanced division.

Led by coach Kendall Brooks, the team consisted of Kate Cahill, Claire Cahill, Jeff Offerdahl, Jonathan Stockdale, Taylor Shamshiri, Blaire Jones and Conor O’Rourke.

“This trip and experience was a lot of fun,” coach Brooks said. “Our team played with amazing energy and team spirit and definitely represented not only ATA, but our state and section very well.”

The team faced Mid Atlantic in their first match. Offerdahl and Claire Cahill earned wins in singles while the duo of Stockdale and O’Rourke won their doubles match. Claire Cahill and Shamshiri teamed up to win the mixed doubles and seal the overall match by a total games of 53-34.

Next up for the Dream Team was Hawaii Pacific who had defeated New England earlier in the day. While Hawaii won at both women’s singles and women’s doubles, each were able to push the match to three sets earning valuable games towards the total game format. The dangerous duo of Stockdale and O’Rourke teamed up to take their second win of the day, 6-3, 6-1. Jones and Shamshiri paired up to win the mixed 6-0, 6-1, while Offerdahl fought for a 7-5, 6-2 victory in singles. The Dream Team took the match by an overall games of 56-33.

“Jeffrey had some HUGE wins against top college-bound talent, and Claire played with a lot of fight all weekend,” coach Brooks said.

There was little time to relax as the team faced off against the defending national champions representing the Midwest later that afternoon. The Dream Team fought hard and found wins from Offerdahl in singles, Stockdale and O’Rourke in doubles, and Shamshiri and Cahill in mixed doubles. While overall, team Texas finished ahead in matches 3-2, and in sets 6-5, they went down in the duel match in the total game format. Midwest came out on top in games 48-43.

The next morning the team matched up against New England, fighting to win four out of five total matches while splitting sets in the only loss at women’s singles. Jones and Kate Cahill teamed up to take the women’s doubles 6-3, 6-0, while Stockdale and O’Rourke won their third straight doubles match 6-0, 6-1. In singles, Offerdahl defeated Richard Oliver 6-1, 6-1 while Cahill went down 3-6, 6-3, 0-1. In the end the Dream Team won 57-20.The team fell to Northern later that afternoon by a total games of 53-36, with Claire Cahill earning their only win 7-6, 6-0 in her singles match.

Next, the Dream Team faced Southern in a match to decide third place. Offerdahl earned a crucial straight set victory in mens singles while Stockdale and O’Rourke won their doubles match to log their fourth win of the weekend.

“Jonathan and Conor were our "sparkplugs" for the weekend, giving the team a boost with their outstanding play and were fired up every time they took the court,” coach Brooks said.

Shamshiri and Cahill teamed up to take the mixed doubles match 6-2, 6-4. While Cahill and Jones fell in their women’s doubles match, the two games they earned turned out to be the difference in the overall match. The Dream Team beat Southern 44-42 to finish the National Championships in third place.

“I was very proud to be a part of this team, and since we are a relatively young team we are hoping to come back next year and contend for the National Title," coach Brooks said.

Also traveling with the team to Alabama, coach Newman offered his comments on the experience.

There is nothing more motivating than playing for something greater than yourself. We are preparing our players for college tennis. The junior team tennis nationals is a great way for our players to gain valuable experience as part of team, competing against high level competitors from across the country. Each of the players on the ATA team pulled more from themselves on behalf of the team than I have seen them give in individual competition. The fun level was also exponential because of the team environment.

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