Austin Tennis Academy News

January 14, 2009

ATA's 16s/18s Earn Unprecedented Success at San Antonio Major Zone

For the first super champ major zone of 2009, the age groups were split between cities. The 12s and 14s enjoyed the comfort of competing in their home city, while the 16s and 18s traveled south to San Antonio.

The San Antonio Super Championship Major Zone brought together the best 16s and 18s from around the state. ATA's 16s 18s shined their brightest on this big stage, collectively earning their best tournament results to date.

Chase Curry, playing up in the boy’s 18s draw, won five straight matches while upsetting three seeds on his way to earning the championship. Curry took down the number one seed Bryan Welnetz 6-4, 7-5 to reach the semi finals where he met the three seed Tyler Brown. Curry elevated his game after dropping the first set 5-7 to claim the next two and the match 6-3, 7-6(8). During the semifinals Chase defended five match points down. In the finals Chase again dropped the first set to the number nine seed Patrick Clynes 2-6. With the tournament on the line Curry rebounded to earn the next two sets and the tournament championship 6-4, 6-4.

“Chase played unreal defense to win the third set,” Coach Newman said. “He made good use of big serving and he was very confident with his backhand, both topspin and slice.”

Jeff Offerdahl, the number five seed, beat Jose Martinez 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 to advance to the quarter finals. Blake Davis, the number two seed, beat Russell Bader 6-2, 6-1 to reach the semi finals.

In the boy’s 16s B draw, Conor O’Rourke began with three convincing wins to put himself in the semi finals where he faced Shane Trebisky. Conor responded well after dropping the first set, taking the next two 6-2, 6-2 and earning a spot in the finals, where he faced Nick Isbell. Again, the first two sets were split 6-3, 4-6, and again Conor came up big when it counted the most, earning the third set 6-2 and claiming the tournament crown. Even more impressive than his clutch play was his on court attitude. Conor was presented with the Sportsmanship Award for that way he conducted himself and represented his Academy throughout the weekend. Also playing in this draw, Rob Steinwedell and Raymond Traweek competed well in two tough matches. After a first round loss, Austin Mayo rallied for two wins and a place in the consolation quarter finals.

Claire Cahill came out firing in the girl’s 18s B draw. She knocked out the three seed A. Lickert 6-3, 6-1. Next Cahill faced K. Brikmanis, who took the first set 1-6. Claire responded well, taking the next two sets 6-1, 6-4 for a spot in the semi finals.

Taylor Shamshiri, competing in the boy’s 18s B draw, rallied after a first round loss by winning five straight matches and taking the consolation championship. In the finals he faced C. Hoffman who took the first set 3-6. Again Taylor rallied after adversity, taking the next two 6-2, 6-1. Donny Hackett fell to C. Hoffman in the third round of consolation 6-3, 6-0.

In the 16s A draw, Chris Dale took down Justin Randell 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the round of 32. Josh Hagar rebounded after a first round loss to earn three wins and a spot in the consolation finals. In the semi’s he defeated J. Randell 6-2, 7-5. Aaron Chaffee competed hard in two tough matches on the weekend. Matthew Sparks met J. Fischer in his second match, claiming the first set 7-6. Fischer leveled the match after two sets and got the win by taking the third 6-4, 6-4. Charlie Shin, the nine seed, beat S. Liu 6-2, 6-2 for his second win and a spot in the round of 16 before falling to top 10 in the nation Boys 14s player Mitchell Krueger.

In the girl’s 16s B draw, Morgan Barnhill came in as the number one seed. Barnhill rallied for three straight wins and a place in the finals. She beat the three seed M. Lau in the semi finals, 6-2, 6-1.

Brooke Hughes, the number nine seed, beat Marianna Seal 6-1, 6-2 for a spot in the round of 32.

While the ATA juniors were earning results on the singles court, they were dominating the doubles action as well. The team of Curry and Offerdahl stormed through the doubles draw, taking the finals 8-5. Taylor Shamshiri and partner Ali Rizvi won their doubles draw too, taking the finals 8-3. The duo of O’Rourke and Mayo claimed their draws championship 9-7 in the finals.

ATA’s super champ players started the year with strong results in San Antonio. ATA’s 16s and 18s earned multiple draw championships in singles and doubles, a testament to the well rounded preparation these athletes commit themselves to on a daily basis.

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