Tennis is BIG in Nassau County!
USTA JTT's Team Nassau competes in the Florida Championships
Dec. 12 & 13 2009
USTA JTT's Team Nassau spent the weekend of Dec 12th and 13th 2009 in Daytona competing in the Florida Championships. YTF Directors of Tennis Vishnu and Michele Maharaj accompanied 8 Juniors players from the Fall Nassau County league to participate in the Flight 1 14 and under intermmediate division playoffs. Team Nassau placed third in the competition.
"This is such an accomplishment for our junior players", reports YTF's Michele Maharaj. "It is something to be very proud of... this being the first time Nassau County has fielded a team at the state Junior Team Tennis playoffs and to place in the top 3 of their flight". Our team competed in a round robin format and played teams from Gainesville, Orlando, Hernando, and Tampa.
Team Nassau completed the weekend competition with a thrilling win in the Girl's singles line with Kaley Parchinski defeating Ansikka Patel of Orlando 2-4, 4-2, 12-10 in the final singles match. Kaley remained undefeated in singles play in all 4 of her matches. The Team's entry fees were sponsored by Dave Turner Plumbing, Inc.
USTA JTT's Team Nassau at the Florida Championships in Daytona
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Photos: Left: Team Nassau participants: Kaley Parchinski, Bo Arflin, Lydia Arflin, Carter Mosco, Emma "Sue" Godfrey. Back Row: Michael Dobinski, Benjamin Siclare, Silas Mosco. Right: Coach Vishnu Maharaj discussing tournament strategy with Team Nassau members in Daytona. | |
Congratulations to the Nassau County USTA/FL JTT players!
Tennis is a family affair for twins Ava and Hunter Kneedler, pictured with Tennis Instructor Vishnu Maharaj after their Sunday morning tennis lesson.
August 2009 "End of Summer" Junior Hard Court Tournament Results
Yulee Tennis Foundation 'End of Summer' Junior Tournament was held Aug 21st-22nd, with matches being played at the Yulee Sports Complex and Amelia National.
Winners included Trevon Pachard over Beau Arflin in the Boys C division, Jason Pachard defeated Michael Dobinski in the finals of the Boys B division, and John B. Stroud defeated Ryan Gerlach in the Boys A division.
In the Girls Singles division Kaley Parchinski defeated Lydia Arflin in the championship Round.
In the Boys consolation round, Josh Hopper defeated Zarek LaMere.
Click here to view Tournament Photos
Hilliard Tennis Camp a Pleasure
HMSHS was host to a junior tennis camp the second week in July. Junior players spent 7 hours on the court with Tennis Director Vishnu Maharaj fine tuning tennis basics and preparing the group for the weekend tournament. "It was such a pleasure to make the trip to Hilliard to work with this group of enthusiastic kids. The progress they have made on the court in the past few months is tremendous."
Junior Players offer Tennis Strokes for Christian Ministry, July 11th - 12th
Hilliard Middle Senior High School was the host sight this past weekend for the Yulee Tennis Foundation's Junior Tennis Tournament in support of Zack Wheat who will be attending the Teen Mania Ministries Youth Internship Program. All proceeds from the tournament were given to support this project. Junior players from Nassau County participated in the hard court tennis event.
In Boys 18 and under finals, Josh Hopper defeated Zack Wheat 6-2 6-1. In the Boys 12 and under finals, Carter Mosco defeated Beau Arflin 0-6, 6-3, 7-4(tie breaker).
The Girl's Action found Alexis LaMere winning the Round Robin Playoff with Lydia Arflin taking second place. A check for $125.00 was presented to Zack Wheat for Teen Mania Ministries after the event.
Click here to view Tournament Photos
YTF Juniors Play Georgia Tennis Association Level 4 Clay Court Championships April 25th, 09
Tennis Director Vishnu Maharaj travelled to Jekyll Island this past weekend with YTF Junior players Josh Nelson, Josh Hopper, Ryan Gerlach, Conner Stevenson, Mikey Mott and Mariah Howington to play in the Georgia Tennis Association Level 4 Clay Court Championships. "I was very proud of the way these players represented themselves. Nassau county was a notable presence in the tournament" said Coach Maharaj.
"Gerlach and Stevenson both won their first 2 rounds before falling in the semi finals. For the majority of the YTF players, this was their very first USTA tournament. This was a great tournament for these players to get their feet wet with playing USTA sanctioned tournaments. Plans for the summer include participation in other sanctioned events in Jacksonville."
Yulee Tennis Foundation recently participated in Tennis Night in America and hosted a USTA Youth Registration Event. The event was held at Amelia Island Plantation's Racquet Park. A clinic was provided for the beginners and the advanced players participated in a Round Robin. 20 junior players became first time USTA members at the event.
Photo: Members of Hilliard Middle Senior High School Girl's Tennis team Help Promote the USTA's Youth Registration Event.
Pirates Vs BK Crusaders March 17th 2009 at the Amelia Island Plantation - Results
Crusader's Rachel Gillespie -Beth Jones/News-Leader photo
The Pirate tennis teams hosted a tough district foe in Bishop Kenny Tuesday Mar. 10th on the clay courts at Amelia Island Plantation.
The boys played well, but couldn't muster a win against the Crusaders.
Rachel Gillespie and Meghan Smith collected the lone win for the Lady Pirates. They defeated D. Smowton and Samuels 8-8 (7-2) in a tie-breaker.
"We are extremely pleased with this team," said Mark Durr, Fernandina Beach High School tennis coach. "They have been playing some very good tennis regardless of what some of our scores show. We are very young. We have only two seniors on our entire squad (Pelkowski and Stuart).
Read the complete article at www.fbnewsleader.com (Fernandina Beach News-Leader On Line)
February 21st and 22nd Doubles Weekend at the Amelia Island Plantation - Results
A good time was had by all at the Doubles Weekend Tournament held at Amelia Island Plantation with all proceeds benefiting the Junior Development Program.
Winner's of the Women's Division were Liz Mcall and Darlene Morris with Laura Bresko and Mary Doyle taking second after winning a sudden death 2nd place playoff over Diann Schindler and Judi Beck and Cyndee Roberts and Nancy Barnes.
Winners of the Men's Division were Bob Jones and Jim Alloy with Paul Drayton and John Anderson coming in second place.
14 doubles teams competed in the weekend event.
Women's Division Winners: Laura Bresko, Mary Doyle, with Runner-Up Team Liz McCall and Darlene Morris
Men's Division Winners: Bob Jones and Jim Alloy
Click here to view all the Tournament Photos
Click here to view Photos from the Feb. 21st Hilliard Junior Development Clinic
Jan 31st 2009 Junior Clinic Photos
Junior players from Callahan, Hilliard, Yulee, Fernandina Beach, and St. Marys have been preparing for the Spring Season by participating in drill and play clinics with Yulee Tennis Foundation Instructors Vishnu and Michele Maharaj.
On Jan. 31st, 21 juniors came out to Amelia National Tennis for the 2 hour workout session. View Photos Here
Yulee Christmas Festival Tennis Tournament Results
The Yulee Christmas Festival Tennis Tournament brought out the serious tennis enthusiasts in the chilly and brisk December temperature last weekend, Dec. 13th and 14th. Carter Mosco defeated Maddie Dee in the 10 and under finals 8-0. Ben Mirschel defeated Ryan Gerlach 6-4, 6-1 in the Junior Boys Open Final and Kelsey Johnson defeated Kaley Parchinski of St. Marys 6-4, 6-2 in the Girls 14s singles final.
Click here to view the Yulee Christmas Festival Tennis Tournament Photos
Yulee Tennis Foundation Directors Honored
Directors of Tennis Michele and Vishnu Maharaj were awarded the Volunteer Leadership Award by the USTA/Florida section at the USTA/FL's annual meeting held in Clearwater Beach, FL, on Dec 5th - 7th.
The award was given to the Yulee Tennis Foundation's dynamic duo in recognition of their outstanding service and continued dedication to promoting and developing tennis in Florida. They were awarded a Plaque and named the USTA/FL's Volunteer of the Month for December 2008.
The pair also competed in the Team State Regional Playoffs 4.0 and Higher Division, representing Region 2 at the Annual Florida USTA meeting. The Region 2 team placed 2nd to Region 3. There were 8 USTA/FL regions competing.
Michele and Vishnu Maharaj, Directors of Tennis
New Tennis Club on Amelia Island
Kraft Tennis Partners, Inc. has finished their site prep work at the Kraft Athletic Property, and five new Har Tru courts are on target for January 2009 completion. Anyone wishing membership information please call Frances Blancett at 491-8744.
YTF Promotes Tennis in Area Schools
YTF continues to promote tennis in the Yulee Elementary School physical education classes. YTF recently donated sponge balls and tennis magazines to Mr. Tates class.
Plans are to register Nassau County schools for the 2009 year to participate in the USTA Florida School Tennis Program. For more information see www.ustafloridaschools.com or email Judi at davejudi@bellsouth.net, regarding your school.
Governor Crist Authorizes “Florida Tennis” Specialty License Plate
Sample Florida Tennis License Plate
Authorization for the “Florida Tennis” specialty license plate was signed and approved by Governor Crist on May 28, 2008. This specialty license plate is the first tennis license plate to be authorized for the state of Florida. USTA Florida Section states that the revenue generated by the “Florida Tennis” license plate will be used to assist the charitable foundation "USTA Florida Section Foundation" in its efforts “to improve the health and quality of life of Floridians through tennis”.
Do you have some local tennis news, questions or comments? E-Mail: Judi Turner: davejudi@bellsouth.net