VALWOOD WINTER SPORTS AWARDS

By Robert Preston-Valdosta Daily Times

After winning the Georgia state title in July and the Southern Sectional title in August, the Valdosta Junior Team Tennis 14-under team traveled to Tucson, Ariz., on the weekend of Oct. 20 to compete for the 2006 USTA Team Tennis National Championship.

The Valdosta junior team won the event, earning the title of 2006 national champions.

The Valdosta players were: Stephen Moore, Carly Cangelosi, Tommy Cangelosi, Leslie Brandon, Seth Rountree, Heather Hathcock and J.P. Nichols. Keith Childree coached the team.

Play began Friday morning and went until the final match on Sunday. There were three flights in the 14-under division. Each flight had five teams representing different sectional winners from all around the country.

Each team competed to win its flight in order to secure a spot in the Final Four. The Valdosta team won its flight by beating teams from Missouri Valley, Southern California, Delaware, and Boston. The team then played and beat Utah in the semifinals.

The final match was played against a team from New York. Valdosta won by a scant six games. One team match consists of boys' and girls' singles matches, boys' and girls' doubles matches and one mixed doubles match. The objective is to not only win an individual match, but to also win as many games as possible.

The total of the five individual matches is computed and recorded as a total team match score. Each team is trying to win more games than the competing team. Tennis is normally an individual sport.

However, with team tennis, it is all about the team, not just one or two players.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA), with the support of several national sponsors, hosted this terrific tournament. There were several scheduled events for the players. There were also tennis clinics presented by special guests. The players had the opportunity to meet kids from all over the country.

For winning the national championship, the team received a beautiful Tiffany crystal trophy. Each player also received several gifts embroidered with the USTA logo and 2006 National Championship.

The players practiced once a week throughout the summer with Coach Childree. Most of the kids on the team also take individual lessons and attend weekly clinics.

This entire experience and trip would not have been possible without the assistance of the Georgia USTA coordinator Mary Dillon and the Valdosta Recreation, Parks and Community Affairs Department. This is the first year that Valdosta has participated in a formal junior USTA league.

With the continued support from the Recreation and Parks Department and Tad Evans, McKey Park's tennis pro, this program should continue to grow. Any junior tennis player interested in joining this league can contact Evans at 333-1868.

HATHCOCK LEADS USTA 14U TENNIS TEAM TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Valwood tennis team member Heather Hathcock is on the 3 girl, 4 boy 14 and under tennis team that recently won state and sectional titles. The team won the state tournament held in Macon on July 28-30, then traveled to Mobile, AL on Aug. 18-20 where they won the sectionals. Heather and her team will now travel to Tuscon, AZ in October to compete in the National Championships. For more information on the national championships click on the link below:

http://www.usta.com/team_tennis/custom.sps?iType=3491&icustompageid=6292


Below is a picture of Heather's team (Heather is kneeling on the far right).

GOOD LUCK TO HEATHER AND HER TEAM !