The Davenport City Tournament

It threatened, but that's all...

5/27/07: Saturday started off hot, and only got hotter though the afternoon. A storm settled on the horizon, threatening. Long-time player/coach, Jim DeNoon, who officiated play, walked around with his fingers crossed while the thunder rolled. The rain kept to the north, and all matches got played, although an hour delay had crept into the schedule by 4:30.

"We are so fortunate to have them helping out," said Keri. "They come early and stay late - I have to tell them to leave!" She hopes people will make sure to thank Susan and Nancy for their outstanding volunteer effort.

As happens in L5 events, some matches were over quickly. It's always tough to pull a top player in the first round but now and then it happens to everybody. 2006 City Champion Damian Sancilio noted, "The first tournament I played was against Jimmy Cain when I was 9 and he beat me 6-0, 6-0 . He actually gave me a few tips and the whoopin' didn't stop me from continuing [to play matches]."

Take for example, Will Carli, in Boys 14s. He has had some rough draws this year (Zach Carl in his first round at Avalon, for one) and has been chalking up some tough losses. But no matter, this kid just keeps working hard, entering tournaments and having some great matches. The score doesn't always tell the whole, and best, story. Keep working hard Will! Persistence pays off! Just ask Damian.

Over at the Westhampton Courts at the University of Richmond, the L6 ran concurrently. Tournament Director Keri Nimitz kept things running smoothly off of College Road.

Nimitz is a former City Champion who has run the junior city tournament for years, as her four kids-- Cathy, Paul, Kristin & David --became tennis champions on the same courts. Keri is responsible for the entire junior tournament which encompasses an L5 running at Byrd Park and an L6 at U of R. It's a demanding job, and she's risen to the task. Her youngest, twins Kristin and David, are graduating from Deep Run this year.

Byrd Park was packed - a great venue for tennis

Will Carli (right) congratulates Matt Zimmerman

The Ramthuns of Woodlake- Mark, Laura and Jon. Mark & Laura played at U of R while their Dad played in the Mens 40s Hardcourt championships at CCV - where he's seeded #2 in Mens Singles.

Top juniors: Edgar Vitkovski, Ben Hall, Hunter Koontz,, Blaine Davies, Michael Perel. Edgar was the City Champion in Boys 16s in 2006 - he is playing this year in Boys 18 singles and doubles in 16's. Michael Perel was the finalist in Boys 12s in 2006. He is currently ranked 15th in the Mid-Atlantic in his age division.

RTA President Stuart Horsley (right) came out to watch his nephew, Scott Richardson in the 16s.

Brett James, Audrey Pfund and Sarah Estes - the sophomores play for Midlothian.

Zach King (left) with Jayanth Shekhar. Zach is in the 8th grade at Pocahontas Middle School. Jayanth is in the 7th grade at Moody Middle.

Brittany Hsieh, Kelly Stewart and Karen Pak are playing in Girls 12s. Karen is the #1 Seed - Kelly is #2