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Photo by Anne Schachter
American tennis player to win all four Grand
Slams. The Little Mo tennis tournament has
grown into one of the premier events in the
United States where young players are able
to compete against others of their same
age. It is a nationwide, year-long circuit of
tournaments that includes sectional, regional
and national events. The 2008 circuit began
with more than 1,500 youths participating
and ended with the top 128 advancing to the
national competition.
When he was six, Schachter was a finalist
in the Boys’ 8s singles division of the Pacific
Northwest Little Mo competition. At the age
of seven, he advanced from the Pacific
Northwest Sectional to the Western Regional
where he reached the final of the consolation
bracket. Because of his performance at the
regional, Schachter advanced to the Little
Mo Nationals where he also reached the
consolation final. The following year at the
age of eight, Schachter won both the Pacific
Northwest Sectional and the Western Regional
gio championship
pion in the
Boys’ Boy 8s, earn-
ing his second
trip to the national
tio competition
tit where
he reached
the th final and
came ca up just
shy sh of the
Little Li Mo national
ti title.
This year
tthe
Steila-
ccoom
third-
grader moved up an age division and began
the road to the Little Mo Nationals by winning
the Pacific Northwest Sectional title in Boys’
9s singles. In September, Schachter won
the Western Regional at the Barnes Tennis
Center in San Diego, Calif., and in doing so
earned his third straight trip to nationals and
an opportunity to win the trip to Croatia to
compete in the Little Mo International Open.
In October, Schachter traveled to Austin,
Tex., to compete in the 2008 Little Mo National
Championship. He had a splendid time
meeting the other top players in the country,
all fine young boys and strong competitors.
One morning at breakfast, he came upon
Marcus Allen, National Football League
Hall of Famer. Famous for his goal line and
short-yardage running, Allen generously
gave Schachter an autographed football
inscribed, “Be the greatest tennis player.”
With that in mind, Schachter took to the
courts and played his best tennis against the
top nine-year-olds in the country to reach the
national final. In the first set of the championship
match, he was down 1-4 against an excellent
player, Alexander del Coral of Doral,
Fla., but fought his way to a 7-5 win. He won
the second set more decisively by a score of
6-2. Most impressive, Schachter completed
all three 2008 Little Mo tournaments – Pacific
Northwest Sectional, Western Regional, and
National – without dropping a set.
So how did this phenom grow to be so
good at such a young age? Schachter’s tennis
began when he was two. His father David
Schachter threw light wiffle balls and Noah
swung at them with a plastic bat. The elder
Schachter was surprised to discover his son
could hit the ball so well at such a young
age. Perhaps Noah would enjoy tennis? His
father enrolled him in Tiny Tots tennis at
Sprinker Tennis Center in Tacoma, Wash.
“Before you know it,” said David Schachter,
“I couldn’t play with Noah anymore. I pick
up the balls now.”
Lakewood
Racquet
Club reaches
Nationals
Lakewood Racquet Club
was proud to be one of
15 teams in the nation to
compete in the 2008 USTA
League 4.5 Senior National
Championships in Tucson,
Ariz. With several players
knowing each other for over
25 years, this team represented
what is best about tennis.
“Good guys, great friends and fiercely
competitive tennis players,” said team
Captain Greg Smith.
In addition to Smith, the Lakewood
team includes Kim Larson, Mike Huffman,
Rob Grenley, George Kraft, Tim
Sprague, Steve Marosi, Dave Trageser
and Doug Ruffin. The men shared a goal
going into the season: “Let’s make it to
the nationals this year.”
It was difficult, nearly impossible to
schedule practices. Each of the players
competed in numerous tournaments
during the year and had other weekend
commitments. With just five weekends
of practice under their waistbands, the
Lakewood 4.5 Senior team headed to
Tucson to compete for a national championship.
They played strong and hard
in “several great matches against strong
teams. We came home with our heads
held high. We played against exceptional
teams,” said Smith.
Ocean Shores, tennis
and Honda
Ocean Shores, Wash., known for its
spectacular coastal shoreline, grew the
North Beach Tennis Association from a
handful of players into an organization
with over 80 members. In 2000, local
players wanted to develop a tennis program
for youth. Luanne Anderson, President
of the city’s Parks and Recreation
department at the time, learned that the
USTA can provide help in developing a
community tennis program. USTA Pacific
Northwest Community Tennis Director
Ruth Turner visited Ocean Shores and
with her boundless energy and guidance,
helped the community develop a
successful program for youth.
“I wouldn’t have done anything without
Ruth’s help,” said Anderson. “We had
10 to 15 people that like to play tennis
and were willing to give time to the
children for the city’s summer program.”
With the seeds for success planted,
the group filled out the 503c paperwork,
created the North Beach Tennis Association
(NBTA), applied for and received
grants, built two tennis courts on city
property, and ignited the support of the
community. For a $25 initiation fee and
$10 annual individual membership fee
you can become a member of the NBTA
and receive a free T-shirt.
Now well established, North Beach
Tennis Association continues to create
tennis opportunities. Cinnamon Petzoldt,
Parks and Recreation Director for
the City of Ocean Shores, met with the local
Honda dealer in Aberdeen, Wash., in
an effort to develop a mutually beneficial
promotion. Working with Honda’s Adam
Markus, Petzoldt was able to negotiate
a donation arrangement that tied in with
Honda’s November marketing program.
Last month, every time someone stopped
into Honda of Aberdeen to test drive a
vehicle, Honda donated $25 to the Ocean
Shores Parks and Recreation Department.
The funds will go toward supporting youth
activities of Aberdeen and Ocean Shores
including tennis lessons. Have you driven
a Honda in Aberdeen today?
Eastern Washington
By Victor Kollock
Holiday giving
Consider offering a USTA membership
to that aspiring tennis player as a stocking
stuffer this holiday season. Take a look at
your arsenal of racquets and consider donating
those that aren’t being used to your
local parks and recreation department, or
middle and high school tennis programs.
You may also want to consider purchasing
the new USTA “Physical Educator’s
Guide for Teaching Tennis in Schools”,
developed by renowned physical education
and tennis experts including noted
author Dr. Robert Pangrazi, Professor
Emeritus at Arizona State University. The
new curriculum is designed to provide
both elementary educators and students
with a fun pathway to learning tennis.
The guide features methods and tactics
that don’t require an actual tennis court. It
is very versatile and can be used in any
school setting for both large and small
groups. To learn more visit www.usta.com/
schooltennis.
USTA No-Cut Coaches
The USTA is proud to have recognized
1800 coaches who implement a no-cut
policy in managing their teams and offer
the opportunity to play tennis to thousands
of high school students. The USTA will continue
to recognize and support the efforts
of no-cut coaches who positively impact
the lives of young people and promote the
game of tennis. To register as a USTA High
School No-Cut Coach, please visit www.
USTA.com/no-cut.
Return of the Code
The underpinning of what makes tennis
truly great and sets it above other competitive
sports is “The Code.” Written by
Colonel Nick Powel, The Code establishes
the appropriate behavior and etiquette of
tennis players. Even the Intercollegiate
Tennis Association (ITA) states that, “all college
match play will follow the principles
set out in The Code except where these
(their) rules provide otherwise.”
As a USTA and ITA certified official, I get
the best seat in the house to ensure fair
and safe competition. It’s not my role to
teach The Code or the rules for that matter.
Coaches at all levels should spend time
with their players to ensure they are on the
same page with respect to The Code when
it comes to court behavior.
� The Lakewood Racquet Club’s 4.5 Senior
Men’s team from Tacoma, Wash., participated
in the USTA League National Championships
held in Tucson, Ariz., earlier this year.
The number one principle of The
Code C is Courtesy. “Tennis is a game
that t requires cooperation and courtesy
s from all participants. Make tennis a
fun f game by praising your opponents’
good g shots…” The Code applies to
ALL A participants including coaches,
parents p and spectators.
From an officiating perspective,
it i is disheartening when our tennis
community forgets the basic tenet of
courtesy. Grousing spectators and parents who
lack common courtesy should “desist or leave
the tournament area.”
Fortunately for me, tennis officials also get
to witness the best in players. At a recent collegiate
women’s event, I heard an anguished
scream from a court away. Before I could cross
the court between us, her opponent had already
asked, “Are you okay? Are you allergic to bee
stings? Did you get the stinger out?”
Lacey Pfilbsen was the Portland State
University (PSU) player who stepped up and
used her first aid training to quickly handle
the medical situation. PSU Head Tennis Coach
Brian Parrott and PSU Athletic Director Torre
Chisholm can be very proud of the way she
conducted herself and represented her school
on court. Pfilbsen is a perfect illustration of
good sportsmanship and a true example of
following The Code.
Recreational Coach
Workshop in Coeur d’Alene
Reported by the Liberty Lake CTA
On a recent crisp autumn Saturday, the
Liberty Lake Community Tennis Association
(LLCTA) joined with Peak Health & Wellness
Center - Coeur d’Alene to host a USTA Recreational
Coach Workshop (RCW) for 35 coaches,
private instructors, CTA organizers and parent
volunteers from all over Eastern Washington
and Northern Idaho.
Gail Benzler, USPTA and USTA RCW Trainer
flew from Seattle to greet an enthusiastic crowd.
A host of guests came by to support the event
including Terry Valdez, USTA Pacific Northwest
Area Consultant - Eastern Washington, Karen
Green, USTA National School Tennis Coordinator,
Ron Tan, USTA Pacific Northwest Area Vice
President and Rose Jones of Babolat.
Workshop participants were treated to a
surprise visit by “Spodee” (played by Valdez).
Spodee was a rather sub-par quality tennis
coach who donned big blue hair and a multicolored
tights uniform that spurred workshop
participant Christy Anderlik to quip, “I was going
to wear that exact same outfit this morning!”
Spodee was abrupt, rushed and tactless in his
teaching techniques and didn’t give everyone a
chance to hit his feeds. He was the antithesis of
what a good coach should be and the wonderful
illustration laced with humor set the perfect
tone for the rest of the workshop.
Eileen Johnson, Head Pro of the Peak Health
& Wellness Center tennis facility commented
that it was a fabulous event and was very
pleased with the entire workshop. Indeed,
many participants marked “excellent” in their
evaluation of the facility.
The on-court training was also excellent as
Benzler provided great leadership throughout.
Participants were informed of Quick Start
Tennis updates, new products and instruction
techniques that would help coaches keep their
players interested, and encouraged to ask
questions. As LLCTA President Frank Cruz-
[ Continued on page 30 ]
www.pnw.usta.com � WINTER 2008/09 TENNIS TIMES
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