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 May 2016.
Taylor Townsend continues hot streak
Taylor Townsend is crusing in USTA Pro Circuit events, taking the singles and doubles titles in Charlottesville, Va.
Townsend follows up a torrid April in which she won three doubles titles and reached a singles final.
At the $50,000 Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic,Townsend defeated the long-time resident of Lawrenceville, Ga., Grace Min 7-5, 6-1. Townsend came into the tournament as a wild card.
With her partner, Asia Muhammad, the Atlanta resident again showed her mettle in the second set. They defeated Shelby Rogers, of Daniel Island, S.C., and Alexandra Panova 7-6(4) 6-0.
In Februay, Townsend and Muhammad, who was born in Long Beach, Calif., won the $25,000 Rancho Santa Fe tournament.
Here's more information on Townsend from WTATennis.com
Desiatnikov named to USTA junior team
Fifteen-year-old Abigail Desiatnikov has been named to the 2016 Team USA National Junior Team. She is one of eight top junior girls qualified for the training program designed to give a collection of America’s best young players, born in either 2000 or 2001. Desiatnikov, of Sandy Springs, Ga., will train with the other players during the summer and travel to play against top junior competition from around the world.
Kiawah Island awarded top spot in poll
Roy Barth, left, is presented the 2015 Jacobs Bowl by former USTA Southern President Randy Stephens. |
On the 40th anniversary of the opening of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, readers of the leading on-line tennis travel website, TennisResortsOnline.com, has named Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the No. 1 tennis resort in the world. Kiawah Island Golf Resort has earned the No. 1 ranking for nine of the past eleven years.
Wild Dunes Resort. South Carolina, was named the No. 2 resort.
TennisResortsOnline.com rated Kiawah as the No. 1 resort in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, it dropped to No. 3 before returning to the top spot in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2014, Kiawah dropped to No. 2 before returning to the top spot in the last two years. This year’s poll was released on May 1.
Under the direction of long-time USTA Southern and USTA volunteer Roy Barth since 1976, the tennis program at Kiawah Island has become one of the finest tennis programs in the country. The combination of Barth’s teaching experience and professional background has made him an integral part of Kiawah’s tennis programs. Barth played professionally for seven years during which time he was ranked in the top 50 in the world and competed against such tennis greats like Borg and Connors. In 1990 he was awarded the PTR Pro of the Year, in 1997 Barth was inducted into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, in 1999 he was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 2013 he was inducted into the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame. He is currently the president of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
Meridian Community College's Gibson wins ITA award
Paige Gibson, a women's tennis player at Meridian Community College has received the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.
A leader on the team and in the community, Gibson strives to be a servant leader; one who serves others before they fulfill the duties of leadership. She has participated in and organized the Breast Cancer Awareness Street Strut Event, the Salvation Army bell ringing during the holidays and Collinsville, Miss., tornado relief cleanup, and Read Across America Day for elementary students in the community. Meridian’s team captain, Gibson aims to attend law school after obtaining bachelor’s in both marketing and political science.
Arkansas player honored by Big Ten
Emily Metcalf, a freshman at Michigan State, was honored with a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Metcalf, of Jonesboro, Ark., finished with a 16-11 singles record and had a seven-match win streak this year. Metcalf graduated from Valley View High School, where she won four consecutive state singles championships and was a member of the National Honor Society.