Last month, one of our NAZ league 3.0 40+ teams, The Heat Strokes of Prescott, headed down to Scottsdale Ranch Park to compete at the USTA 2024 Nationals!
“Ten local Prescott ladies made a real impact on tennis in the Southwest section recently that began here in Northern Arizona/Prescott playing at the District Women’s 40 & Over 3.0 level against another team from the Sedona/Flagstaff area, where they won the right to advance to the USTA sectionals for the Southwest area that comprises,(Arizona) Phoenix, Tucson, Northern Arizona, New Mexico and the panhandle of Texas, (El Paso).
The Prescott team consisted of the following players: Captain Ellen Radavich, co-captain Janice Brooks, Diana Kem, Hillarie Olson Strong, Janice Greene, JB Birdt, Julie Crow, Linda Kasko, Lori Blocker and Susan Spear. USPTA Tennis Professional, Zach Hackerott, has been their primary coach.
Sectionals were held in Albuquerque June 14th to 16th and they had three tennis facilities they played at: The Jerry Cline Tennis Center (18 courts), The Highpoint Sports & Wellness Center (15 courts), and the Tanoan Country Club that sports 14 courts.
The Prescott ladies won Sectionals by a hair, but that garnered them their first berth to play against the best of the best in the nation which was held October 25-27th in Scottsdale at the Scottsdale Ranch Tennis Facility and the Indian School Park Tennis Facility.
“On the morning our team left for sectionals, I thought to myself, if we ever have a chance to win sectionals, this is it! After round one we were in first place and kept that lead the entire weekend. When the final match was completed and we knew we won, there were tears of pure joy, Jance Brooks remembered.”
Nationals for the 3.0 level women consisted of 203 total players from across the United States from each of 17 sections that make up the USTA:
Texas, Southwest, Southern California, Southern, Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Northern, New England, Missouri Valley, Midwest, Middle States, Mid-Atlantic, Inter Mountain, Hawaii-Pacific, Florida, Eastern and the Caribbean.
The format of this 40 and over team level is where you play one singles match and 3 doubles, thus you have to have players that are very diversified and that stay relatively healthy.
The Prescott team played their hearts out at Nationals, but the level of play is a true learning experience and they were paired with some of the teams like Southern California who took first place.
Captain Ellen Radavich said, “Captaining this team with Janice Brooks was an honor. This group of ladies always put their best efforts on the court and did it with a huge smile. As we advanced from sectionals to nationals, the intensity of our training and commitment increased and so did our respect and caring for one another.”
“All in all, we played some really good teams. I think we played the toughest teams, Nor Cal, So Cal and The Pacific Northwest”, said Julie Crow.
“After a ski accident many years ago, Jan Greene was told she should forgo playing tennis. So, she became a rabid fan of the game. Then in her late 50’s decided it was time to give the game a go. So, from no game to a few years later becoming a formidable player – now winning sectionals and then a place on the national team for Prescott, which was priceless she says, “I’m so proud of my teammates and proud of myself for achieving such an honor.”
“It’s not easy getting to the top and living and being located in rural Arizona, ” said Linda Kasko.” “We just don’t get to see as many different players, game types and strategies.”
Many of our Prescott USTA teams over the past 30 years have made it to sectionals, both men and women, but there are less than a handful that have made it to nationals.
These ladies, Prescott and Northern Arizona have much to be proud about – “A memory for a lifetime!” – Chris Howard
This is the first time a Northern Arizona team has qualified for nationals at any level or division since 2007! We are all extremely proud and excited for all the players and teams accomplishments and looking forward to even further success next year!
Event Photos