Back to back champions.  Hotshots through heavy wind and injuries won a close finals match.  An injured Liem partnered up with Aya to win the mixed doubles #2 6-1 and give the team a 3 game lead in the overall score.  Joyce and Darrell Le won a clutch game in the designated mixed overtime to seal the victory.

ITA members - WTT 4.5 Champions - Hot Shots

The ITA organization has donated $200 to the Santa Ana Valley High School Boys and Girls Tennis Team for the coming school year.  Many of our members may not be aware that Gary Bird, one of our funniest members, is the coach of those two teams.  The ITA Board is very happy to be able to help out these teams in a small way.  Gary can always use any extra racquets you may not need and also your used tennis balls!  Please contact him at garybird@hotmail.com for pick-up.

Hot Shots, captained by Liem To, capture their second Irvine WTT championship.  While Tim was soaking up rays in Hawaii,  and other members like Liem, Joyce, and Mike pulling double duty in the 4.0 division playoffs, the team rallied together to win the deciding final match tiebreaker by one point.  Team members pictured from left to right Joyce Kim, Mike Zhang, Joyce Lin, Liem To, Aya Sakoda, Darrell Le, Mochi (top), and Cindy.  Not pictured Tim Chan.  They will continue on to the WTT National Qualifier in Nevada.  Vegas Baby!

Our women tennis players achieved the rare feat this season of BOTH winning first place in their respective Sundowner league divisions.  The Sundowner Monday evening league is so competitive that it is quite an accomplishment for a club to field one team that wins a division, but ITA outdid itself this season by fielding TWO championship teams.  In the last 15 years of the league, no club has managed to accomplish this – - Way to go ITA!

It seemed more than fitting that as our players left the Sundowners Awards Banquet after being honored for their achievements; the night sky was filled with fireworks.  (okay, we were in Anaheim near Disneyland, but the timing was perfect!)

Please read below for more details about each of our winning teams, the ITA Advantage and the ITA Alley Shots:

(Moonlighter South Division Champions – 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0s)

It has been a great year of celebrations for the ITA Advantage Tennis Team; from welcoming a new baby into our world, to celebrating US citizenship, to achieving educational certifications, and securing a dream job.

Tennis excitement during the year included:  During a second set tie-breaker tied at 11/11 the lights went out; players accidentally took their opponents tennis rackets home; and a player forgot her eyeglasses and played partially blind.

Although we have had many celebrations, our prayers were answered when one of our players flew to Japan to assist their family in need after the Tsunami and found they were all safe.

Congratulations to all ITA contributing players for their passion, commitment, and most of all sportswomenship:

Jennifer Apollonio, Lorrie Cordova, Ashley Leveto, Kelly Szesterniak, Susan Ambrozich, Alene Banta, Treeva Beard, Teresa Caro, Helena Ferrari (Captain), Patty French, Leslie Baines (Co-Captain), Taylor Earnest, Elena Espiro, Keiko Igari, Jeannette Klem, Heather O’Darrow,  Jennifer Rodriguez and Corina Rush.

(Evening Star Division Champions – 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0s)

Our ITA Alley Shots had last won league twelve years ago, in 1999.  We have come close a few times in the interim, but it took a special combination of women to make it happen this season, winning 15 of 18 matches.

Sure we were a dominating force in many matches, but to achieve wins against our closest rivals was tough work. 2 victories came down to counting games and in another 3 victories we avoided counting games by one set.

But the season wasn’t just focus and determination. Being flexible and having fun were also big components of our success.  Some of the excitement this season included carpooling adventures, last minute substitutions, come-from-behind wins, and having our two summer-brides-to-be close win our final match.  Who says gals can’t be fierce competitors AND share bridal plans?

Congratulations to all the players this season:   Anneke Chang, Karen Grams (captain), Lori Greenman (co-captain), Christy Jocoy, Fiona Jones, Joyce Lin, Linda Luk, Terri Machado, Sheryl Mattson, Nan Diesen-Ng, Rosanne Oddo, Nicole Pannone, Cindy Reyes, Hedy Schmutz Colleen Scanlon, Sandra Show, Michelle Stiefel, Lucinda Vega, Rosalina Fruge, Lydia Chiu, Tia Wood and Sylvia Zywiciel.

Anneke bringing the heat

Cindy to put it away

Colleen to hit a winner

2011 Alley Shots

40 doubles specialists

Linda wins again

Karen and Nicole

Karen to volley

Lori and Karen

Nan

Players and fans

Sheryl busted string winner

Small but mighty

Sylvia and Lori

singles and doubles

Champs001

Champs008

the veterans

Champs006

Champs009

Anneke giggles

CIndy Joyce Fiona

Celebrating Colleens win

If you are a 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 women’s singles or doubles player and are interested in joining one of the teams for the next season, please contact Karen Grams at (949) 457-0691 or sundowners@itasite.com.   Obviously some players will be returning (the pros aren’t the ONLY players that pursue multiple championships J), but we usually have a few openings each season to add new players.  The season runs September through May with a break from mid-December to mid-January.  New rosters must be submitted in August, so don’t delay.

Registration has begun for “City of Irvine Tennis Program presents: A Professional Growth Weekend for Teachers and Coaches of Tennis”. To register for the event, please visit http://irvinetennisdevelopment.tripod.com/.

You must complete the registration form and payment form in order to fully register for the conference. You must have a Paypal account to pay for the event. You can create a Paypal account when you click on the link to pay for the event. If you are having difficulty in paying, please e-mail tennis@cityofirvine.org or call Steve at 949-724-6617.

For more information, please visit the website http://irvinetennisdevelopment.tripod.com/, e-mail tennis@cityofirvine.org or call Steve at 949-724-6617.

Reserve your spot now for the most popular ITA event of the year!

Date: Sunday, May 15, 2011
Location: Woodbridge High School Tennis Center (corner of Alton and Lake)
Time: 8:30am – 1:00pm
Cost: $10 for ITA members or $15 for guests/non-members
RSVP to: Nan at nandiesenng@sbcglobal.net or 949-651-0626

Includes a morning of random tandem mixed doubles tennis (no partner necessary, you may sign up individually), morning snacks, full catered Hawaiian style lunch by Tummy Teasers, short annual business meeting followed by a raffle with fabulous tennis prizes!

In an effort to make the event a more enjoyable experience for everyone, tennis play will be divided into two groups this year:

Competitive Division – higher level group for players seeking more serious tennis, suggested for competitive players 4.0 or above
Recreational Division – lower level group for players seeking decent tennis and a social, enjoyable atmosphere. Suggested for players 4.0 and below or Seniors.

Please include the division you would like to play in when you RSVP to Nan.