Southern players and organizations are constantly making their mark in the world of tennis. Here's a list of recent awards, achievements and news in March 2016.
Two Named to USTA Junior Leadership Team
Name: Somer Henry
Residence: Franklin, Tenn.
Player overview: Henry won the Class AAA state high school singles title in 2015 as a freshman at Brentwood High School and was named the district player of the year. She has been ranked in the Top 100 of the USTA Girls’ 16s national rankings and has won sportsmanship awards at five different USTA tournaments. Additionally, she has an extensive volunteer history, having served as a Nations Ministry inner-city preschool teacher and tutor, an African Refugee volunteer to children and families and a volunteer at ShowHope and GraceWorks Ministries and the local Boys and Girls Club. She also teaches Sunday school to 4- and 5-year-olds at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, among other volunteer ventures.
What tennis means to Somer:
“I used to play travel soccer before I started playing tennis, but I broke my arm, and my bone came out of my skin. My dad didn’t want me to play soccer anymore after that. My parents played in tennis leagues in Atlanta and loved it, so they put me into tennis, and it was a plus for my dad that it wasn’t a contact sport.
"Tennis is a special part of my life because sports have always been a big part of my family, growing up with three big brothers. They all played basketball, so it was cool being the only one who plays competitive tennis. It is such a cool sport, and I think it is well liked so that friends and family are always interested in how my tennis is going.
"Tennis has improved my daily life by keeping me in shape and healthy. It always makes my body and mind feel so good after a good workout. I cannot imagine just sitting at home all day. Tennis has allowed me to meet many people from around the country that I will hopefully stay friends with for the rest of my life. It has opened so many doors of opportunity by giving me the chance to get a college scholarship, which could then help me get a good job after college.
"Tennis is the sport for me because it is so competitive, and I love traveling to lots of pretty places. Tennis outfits are cute, which is a plus. You get tanner and tanner everyday outside playing (although sock tans are the worst). Knowing that the match is never over until you shake your opponent’s hand, unlike basketball, if you were down by 30 with a minute left, there is no hope. But in tennis matches you could be losing, 6-0, 5-0, and come back. Yes, it is hard but definitely possible. Tennis is definitely the sport for me, and I am so glad it is the sport I play.”
Name: Nick Stachowiak
Residence: Cary N.C.
Player overview: Stachowiak, a senior at Middle Creek High School, is a Duke recruit and has been ranked as high as No. 15 in the USTA Boys’ 18s national rankings. He is a two-time 4A singles state champion and an academic all-conference, all-regional and first-team all-state player. Additionally, he’s been the recipient of the USTA Southern section DeWitt Redgrave III Junior Achievement Award and has won several state and national sportsmanship awards.
What tennis means to Nick:
“I began taking tennis lessons when I was 7 years old because I wanted to play with my dad and older brother, who played tennis. It was a fun family activity. Through the years, tennis has taught me effective time management skills. I attend a regular high school, play tennis for my school, as well as train and play USTA tournaments. This balance that I maintain in my life because of tennis will be a useful lifelong skill.
"Tennis has provided me the opportunity to make friends from other states that I have grown up going to tournaments with, playing doubles with and training with. I would not have met these friends if we did not have the sport of tennis in common.
"I will be attending Duke University in the fall of 2016 to play tennis. Duke is a college with outstanding athletics and academics that I would not have had the opportunity to attend without my tennis skills opening up the door for me.
"I played multiple sports when I was young and have always enjoyed the one-on-one aspect of tennis. I am responsible for my wins and losses. I do not have a team to blame if I lose a match. I have to rely on myself and my instincts.
"I am in great physical shape because of the training that I do for tennis on a daily basis. I am able to stay active while having fun playing the sport I love.”
Quigley wins Calabasas tournament
Eric Quigley, of Louisville, Ky., partnered with Nicolas Meister to win the $25,000 Men's Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas. They defeated Henri Laaksonen and Marek Michalicka 4-6, 6-2 [10-3] in the California tournament.
Quigley was a five-time All-American and NCAA finalist at the University of Kentucky. Here's his page on ATPWorldTour.com.
Twelve junors awarded Diversity & Inclusion grants
The USTA approved Individual Player Grant award recipients for 12 USTA Southern juniors. Each recipient will receive $500 per tournament for up to two tournaments in 2016.
Recipients are:
- Keshav Chopra, Marietta, Ga.
- Kylie Collins, Savannah, Ga.
- James Delgado, High Point, N.C.
- Abigail Forbes, Raleigh, N.C.
- Amber Fuller, Greensboro, N.C.
- Sonia Maheshwari, Morrisville, N.C.
- Gaston Muhammad, Duluth, Ga.
- Kareemah Muhammad, Duluth, Ga.
- Nami Otsuka, Norcross, Ga.
- Andres Rafael, Flowery Branch, Ga.
- Alexandra Torre, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Jerry Wang, Fayetteville, N.C.