The 14-and-under junior tennis team at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club had a chance to enjoy the experience of playing in the junior national tennis tournament last year.
This year, they’ll get to do it again.
With the team only in its second year of existence, it features some of the top young local tennis players, including Ashlie Wilson, Kathryn Wilson, Tiffany Fu, Nathan Lin, Hank Lin and Matthew Liu. Terre Haute resident Elizabeth Tindera also is a part of the team.
They will compete in the Junior Team Tennis Nationals at the USTA National Tennis Center Nov. 2 to 4 in Orlando, Florida.
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Last year at qualifying to get to the national tournament, the Tipton Lakes squad was the alternate team, but the winning team was unable to make the trip, putting the locals in the field. They were the outright winners this year during their regional qualifier event at North Central High School in Indianapolis over the summer.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, and going to nationals is pretty exciting for me,” Fu said. “It is really big, and it is a nice facility. Just seeing it and being able to play on the court there, it is a rare opportunity.”
Tipton Lakes General Manager Mary Beth Wilson and Tennis Director Micheal Blevins have been the co-coaches of the team. The team members have been playing tennis from a very young age.
“They’re a very naturally talented team and they work super hard,” Mary Beth Wilson said. “They’re very passionate about tennis, and they have become really good friends with each other. That has been a huge part of why they’ve done so well. This year, especially, they’re really relaxed after having done this last year.”
The kids on the team likely will be making major impacts on their local high school tennis teams in the next several years.
Liu and Nathan Lin just wrapped up their freshman year on the boys tennis team at Columbus North, which clinched its first state finals berth since 2008. Nathan Lin also was a doubles state finalist.
The team begins round robin play on Nov. 2. Team matches are split into five individual matches — boys singles and doubles, girls singles and doubles and mixed doubles. The lineup can switch from match to match.
There are 16 teams in the field, which are separated into four flights. The winners of each flight will compete for the championship, while the second-place finishers in each flight will compete for fifth place, the third-place finishers will compete for ninth and the fourth-place finishers for 13th.
Last year’s Tipton Lakes team finished 10th, but it is hoping for a better placing this year.
The first round robin match is slated for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2 and then another match that same day at 2 p.m. The final round robin match will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 3.
“The atmosphere is pretty great, considering that we will visit and play all of these different teams. Not only do we improve ourselves, but we also see the different players from around the country and how they compete,” Liu said. “It is a great atmosphere because it is a rare opportunity for us since they started the inaugural event last year. It’s fun to be back at it again.”
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What: Junior Team Tennis Nationals
When: Nov. 2 to 4
Where: USTA National Tennis Center in Orlando, Florida
Who: 16 teams, including one from Tipton Lakes Athletic Club. TLAC players include Ashlie Wilson, Kathryn Wilson, Tiffany Fu, Nathan Lin, Hank Lin, Matthew Liu and Elizabeth Tindera.
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