Austin Tennis Academy News

February 12, 2009

ATA's Super Champ Athletes Compete in Corpus Christi and Laredo

Austin Tennis Academy’s 16s and 18s cruised south to the Corpus Christi Omni Classic this past weekend, where the coastal winds created an extra challenge for these junior competitors. The 12s and 14s traveled to Laredo, where they put their preparation to the test against the top junior athletes Texas has to offer in their divisions.

Brittany Brewster battled through the girls’ 16s B draw, earning a spot in the semi finals. She defeated Alannah Mendoza in a memorable match, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(5) for her second straight win.

Brooke Hughes beat C. Boissevain 6-2, 6-1 in the second round of the girls’ 16s A draw. She then took down T. Lucero 7-5, 6-1 to earn a place in the quarter finals. In the boys’ 16s A draw, Chris Dale won three straight rounds to reach the quarter finals. He defeated T. Stillman 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the round of 16.

“Dale played his best tennis when at the biggest moments in the match,” Coach Collins said.

Josh Hagar defeated N. Ferdando, 6-2, 6-1, for his second win and a place in the third round. Charlie Shin took down T. Gans, 6-2, 7-5, earning his second straight victory and a spot in the round of 16. Conor O’Rourke beat Grant Solomon 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the round of 32. Taylor Shamshiri defeated David Weiner 6-2, 6-1 to reach the round of 16. Matthew Sparks out worked Jay Henton in two tough sets, 6-4, 6-4, to claim his first round match. After dropping his first match, Aaron Chaffee advanced to the semi finals of the consolation draw. He defeated J. Randell 6-2, 6-0 in the third round. Raymond Traweek and Esteban Kaufmann each competed in two tough matches over the weekend.

Morgan Barnhill beat E. Mallow 6-1, 6-3, in her first round match of the girls’ 18s draw before falling to an eventual finalist. Claire Cahill rebounded from a first round loss to reach the consolation quarter finals. She defeated A. Keister 6-3, 6-0, in the third round. Barnhill and Cahill were finalists in the Girls 18s B doubles.

Jeff Offerdahl started strong in the boys’ 18s A draw, working hard for two tough wins. He defeated R. Preddy-Weaver 6-0, 6-1 to reach the round of 16 where he fell to tournament winner Brown. After Donny Hackett earned the second set of his second match 7-5, the match was level; until B. Bishop edged out the third set to take the match, 6-4.

While the 16s and 18s competed in Corpus, Austin Tennis Academy’s 12s and 14s traveled to the Laredo Super Championship Winter Classic this past weekend.

Sydney Young secured a spot in the quarter finals of the girls’ 14s draw by earning two tough wins. In the round of 16, she defeated K. Buck 7-5, 6-2.

"This was a breakthrough tournament for Sydney," stated Coach Newman.

Nicole Karaklis rebounded from a first round loss to win three matches while claiming the consolation crown. Maggie O’Meara defeated Gia Poynter 6-1, 6-0 to reach the round of 32. Carli Knezevich took down Tori Musngi in three tough sets 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, also advancing to the round of 32 in her first super champ major zone.

Allie Burak defeated K. Buck 6-0, 6-3 in her first match. This win advanced her to the round of 16 of the girls’ 12s draw.

In the boys’ 12s, Dylan Ritter rebounded after dropping the first set to defeat S. Politz 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, earning him a place in the round of 16. Ben Smith beat P. Wynn 6-0, 6-3 to reach the quarter finals of the consolation draw. Jake Berber beat I. O’Jon 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 for his second straight win and a spot in the round of 16 and barely missed making it to the quarterfinals. Matthew Milliken competed in two tough matches through the weekend. Zane Ritter defeated Sam Stewart in his first round match to advance to the round of 32. Payton Holden took down Sean Liu, 6-3, 6-2, also reaching the round of 32. Berber and Holden were in the finals of the Boys 12s B Doubles where they played big tennis.

This past weekend’s tournaments in Corpus Christi and Laredo were as much about playing the conditions as it was the opponent. The experience earned at ATA of learning to play through bad weather days and make them productive, prepared these junior athletes to accept the conditions and adjust their games accordingly.

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