Academy News

Mariana Gould captured a gold ball for the second straight year by winning the doubles title at the USTA Girls 16 and under National Championships held August 4-12 in San Diego, California.   Partnering with Kimberly Yee of Las Vegas, Gould and Yee defeated Gabrielle Smith and Olivia Sneed, 6-2,3-6, 7-6(2) to claim the title.  She also made it to the quarterfinals of the singles event.   Fellow Smith Stearns student Hayley Carter won a bronze ball in the Girls … read more

Hampton Drake made it to the finals of doubles at the USTA National Clay Courts in the boys 16 and under division that was held in July in Delray Beach, Florida. He partnered with David Wilczynski  of Richboro, Pennsylvania.  They beat the #4 and #2 seeds to advance to the final round which was not played do to inclement weather. By a coin flip they won the silver balls as trophies, however this is definitely one situation where silver is … read more

Mariana Gould has been having quite the month. After struggling with the aftermath of heat exhaustion in which she had to default the main draw of a pro circuit event earlier in the month, Gould came back strong and has won her last two tournaments.   Originally from Boise, Idaho, Gould travelled back to the Intermountain Section to play the ITA Summer Sectional held in Salt Lake City, Utah, from June 9th-14th. She dominated the tournament losing only seven games … read more

Smith Stearns student Jess Jones dominated the USTA Southern Closed Boys 16 and under Championship held June 16th -23rd in Rome, Georgia, capturing the singles title and making it to the finals of the doubles event.   In the singles event, Jones seeded 5th, beat both the #1 and #2 seeds on his way to the title. In the championship match he defeated #1 seeded Walker Duncan, 7-5,6-4 to claim the championship.   Jones has been playing up in the … read more

Hayley Carter led the way this past week at the Palmetto Championships (SC State Closed) that was held June 2-7, 2012, in Belton, South Carolina capturing her 13th and 14th titles respectively. With those wins she goes down in history as one of the best players to play South Carolina tennis, winning the most SC State Championships by breaking the previous record of 13. She won the girls 18 and under singles championship by defeating Ansley Speaks, 6-2,6-1. For the doubles … read more

Smith Stearns students Mary Wright, Jackie Carr, and Katelyn Jackson travelled back home to Arkansas to compete in the Arkansas Junior Qualifier that was held in Little Rock from May 25th – 28th.  They surely didn’t take their trip lightly as Mary Wright won the girls 18 and under championship and Jackie Carr won the girls 16 and under championship defeating Katelyn Jackson in the finals. Carr and Jackson also teamed up to take home the girls 16’s doubles title. … read more

Bullfrog Designated – Hilton Head Cameron Kriscunas – G14 Doubles Winner, 4th Place Singles Robert Loeb – B14 Doubles Finalist, Quarterfinalist Singles   Bullfrog Designated – Clemson/Furman Carsten Fisher – B16 Doubles Winner, 3rd Place Singles Hampton Drake – B16 Singles Finalist Jimmy Lange – B18 Doubles Semifinalist Natalie Kitchen – G16 Doubles Semifinalist   Southern Spring Closed Jackie Carr – G16 Singles Finalist Katelyn Jackson – G16 Doubles Finalist, Quarterfinalist Singles Carsten Fisher – B16 Doubles Finalist, Quarterfinalist Singles … read more

March has been a busy month of tournaments for our students and they have been having some awesome results!!! In the past few weeks they have competed at the Aquafina Thornblade, Bullfrog Designated, SC State Open, and the Family Circle Cup. We are so excited for them and proud of all of their accomplishments!   In the Aquafina Thornblade Southern Level 3 Tournament in Greer, South Carolina held March 17-18, Jack Kelly won the Boys 12 and under title and Sydnee … read more

Andrew Schafer had one of the best tournaments of his career this past week when he finished in 6th place at the USTA National Spring Championships in the boys 18 and under division.  The tournament was held in Mobile, Alabama from March 11-17, 2012.     Schafer advanced to the round of 16 before losing to #1 seeded Hiltzik. In the backdraw he won four straight matches beating the #9, #12, and #13 seeds.     Congrats to Andrew for … read more