2007 SOUTHSIDE TENNIS ACADEMY
(9/18/07) As amazing as it seems, we've been named the best NJTL tennis camp in the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) for the second time in the past three years! This recognition comes because of the vast number of wonderful, dedicated, and enthusiastic kids who return year after year. Here they are:
These are the best kids in the Southwest. Who says so? They do:
It doesn't get better than this: Our wonderful coaches - Jessie, Kasia, Francisco, Samantha, and Peter.
Jessie Rochefort has superbly run the camp for the past four years. A graduate of the famous Bolletierri Tennis Academy in Florida, she's just completed a great career at the University of Arizona. Teammate Kasia Jakowlew, a top-ranked junior in Sweden, joined Jessie the following year and developed a great relationship with our kids, proving herself to be a wonderful coach. Wildcat Peter Zimmer is a welcome addition - he led Salpointe to the state championship several times and is now expected to lead the UA to the top of the Pac-10 this year. Francisco Gamez is a former camper, and was one of the best players in southern Arizona while attending Sunnyside. Sam Swartz joins us from 8-time state champs, Catalina Foothills. Where else in Tucson could anyone find this kind of coaching?
COACHES AT WORK
Jessie drills on court 1...
...while Sam teaches the li'l ones the correct followthrough on court 2...
...and Peter drills the boys on court 3....
...Kasia drills the intermediate players on court 4...
...and Francisco drills the boys on court 5, while Keyon does the "Picking up balls" dance in the background...
OH YEAH, CONDITIONING IS FUN!
At most camps, conditioning is agony. But at the SSTA, the kids hardly know that's what they're doing, it's so much fun!
Gabe dives to grab a ball...
Cookie sends Dior to the ground...
Brother against brother - look at Cristian's face -- now there's determination!
Daisy and Carla went at it!
The Dreaded Drop Drill!!!
On the third day of camp, the coaches had observed that campers weren't moving aggressively to the ball, and that when they got there, they were unprepared to put it where it should go. They decided to use the "Dreaded Drop Drill" to instill quickness and preparation.
Our coaches drop the ball over the net and campers have to sprint to tap the ball into one of the two center baskets. It's not as easy as it sounds...
...as Diana quickly finds out...
...Daisy shows nice touch...
...and Marco digs deep to chip a drop shot over the net.
Oh yeah, the Chain Race!!!
One of our most enjoyable - and exhausting - competitions is the chain race. Two teams line up and one player runs to net and back, grabs the hand of the next player and they run to net, and so on. This year, Jessie's Canucks were hoping to avenge their defeat last year at the hand of Kasia's Polacks.
The Polacks sprint to a slim lead...
...but the Canucks close the gap...
...Jessie urges her Canucks on...
...as Kasia looks anxiously on...
...as her Polacks win for the second straight year! Congratulations to all the competitors!!!
And then we play!
As each session winds down, campers go on court to play competitive tennis, both doubles and singles. We've found that drilling only does so much - our kids improve the most by playing points and matches, and they really enjoy it!
Cookie slams an overhead during his doubles match.
Alan sets for a forehand.
Dylan rips one.
Javy flies through the air.
Perfect forehand follow through: Alec has improved so much this year.
Perfect backhand follow through: Jesus rips a cross-court winner.
Linda attacks the short ball.
It's only Sarah's second day of camp, but she's already stepping in to the ball!
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH...
It's Ryan's Birthday!!!
Ryan celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday, so today we decided to honor him with butt shots. However, our aim was off, and only Coach Paco managed a glancing blow. Happy Birthday, Ryan!
Ryan stands firm against the onslaught.
Injury Timeout!
Diana sprained her ankle during conditioning, but expects to be back at camp on Monday.
Diana can still smile, despite her injury.
And on court 4...
Gabe shows Kash that's he's perfected his finish.
And on court 2...
Sam teaches the basics of the serve to her beginners...
...and 6-year-old Lupita executes it perfectly!
The Final Day!
Our final day of camp began as business as usual, with a match against the always-tough NJTL camp from Randolph Tennis Center...
Frank played great at #1 singles...
...meanwhile, Rafa and Tina watch his ball sail over the net...
...and the campers take an eegee's break before...
PRIZE TIME!!!
Once again, the Tucson tennis community came through - thanks to the Racquet Shack, the USTA Southwest Section, and the southern Arizona USTA for their generosity.
The campers eagerly line up for their shot at the prizes.
Francisco and Jessie enjoy their eegee's while urging on the kids...
... Keyon watches anxiously as his ball lands near a target. Each of the campers won at least one prize, ranging from new top-of-the-line tennis racquets to signed posters of the University of Arizona Wildcat team, all the way down to a box of Pringles. Thanks, sponsors!
