Thomas Joins HTA Staff

The Herrmann Tennis Academy has announced the addition of Chris Thomas to the staff. Chris joins us after completing his masters degree in recreation, parks, and tourism administration from Western Illinois University.

While attending WIU Chris served as the Graduate Assistant for the men's and women's tennis teams. He helped lead both teams to top three finishes at the 2009 Summit League Championships.

Prior to attending WIU Thomas played at Eastern Illinois University and was a four year letter-winner. At Eastern Chris played as high in the lineup as #1 doubles and #2 singles.

A native of Wilmette, Chris was twice an all-state honoree at New Trier High School. In 2004 he was the captain of a Trevian team that finished second at the IHSA State Tournament. That year he also captured a sectional championship in doubles.

"Chris has a lot of enthusiam and is a terrific young man," noted HTA's Ken Herrmann. "He will add additional excitement to the academy."

Yu and Tapak to play at Carnegie Mellon

Recent Herrmann Tennis Academy players Johoo Yu and Alex Tapak have announced that they will play collegiate tennis at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for head coach Andrew Girard.

Yu, a 2009 graduate of Glenbrook North High School, is ranked 46th in the USTA Midwest Section. This past spring Jooho finished in the top 16 at the IHSA State Championships and he qualified for the state tournament three times in his high school career.

“I knew Jooho was an excellent match for our tennis program right away. His academic success and interests combined with his continually improving tennis game and results are exactly what we are looking for here at Carnegie Mellon,” said coach Girard. “He has had some great results over the last season against some of the Midwest’s best players. He’ll come in well-prepared to battle against the top players in Division III.”

The Tartans made it to the NCAA Division III Regional Finals in 2009, where they came within one match of reaching the NCAA Championships before falling to Kenyon 5-4. They finished the season ranked #14 in the ITA Rankings. Over the last four years CMU has combined to go 57-23.

Tapak was a three-time state qualifier for Hinsdale Central High School, and she helped lead the Red Devils to three consecutive IHSA State Championships. Her sophomore and junior years Tapak joined forces with Emily Lombardi and the pair finished top 12 in 2006 and fourth in 2007. As a senior Alex and Kate Klein were fifth at state.

“We’re really excited to have Alex at Carnegie Mellon this coming year. She should be able to step in and be a major contributor for us right away in both singles and doubles. I expect we’ll be in the national title hunt over the next few years and think that Alex will be a key player in that effort. As a tennis player, student, and person she is a great fit for our program,” noted Girard.

CMU had one of its best seasons in school history in 2009 as it advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament and finished the season 21-3. Additionally, the team captured the very first ITA Division III Indoor Championships. Each of the team’s three loses were to opponents ranked in the top five of the ITA rankings. Over the last five years Carnegie Mellon is 85-32.

“Alex and Jooho both have very solid games and we expect them to contribute greatly to their team’s success over the next four years,” stated Ken Herrmann. “They both are continuing their education at one of the top academic institutions in the nation.”

U.S. News and World Report ranks Carnegie Mellon as one of the top twenty-five National Universities in the United States.

Moore Second at IHSA Championships

Herrmann Tennis Academy Standout and Glenbrook South Senior Michael Moore finished his tremendous high school career with a second place finish at the Illinois High School Association Boys Tennis Championships. Moore, a Notre Dame recruit, was the top seed in the 128 player draw and one of twelve HTA players at the tournament
Moore dominated his first three matches, beating Lake Forests’ Peter Wolniak 6-0, 6-1 in the first round, Collin McWethy of Oswego 6-1, 6-0 in the second, and Ben Quazzo of Latin 6-0, 6-2 in the third. Day two was more challenging, but Michael took two more matches in straight sets, including a 6-1, 6-3 over academy classmate Andrew Scholnick.

In the semifinals Moore took out defending state champion Denis Bogatov 6-1, 6-7(3), 7-6(3) in a three and a half hour battle. Less than two hours later Moore was back on court and facing #2 seed Blake Bazarnik. Bazarnik took the first set 6-4, before Michael bounced back with a 6-3 win in the second. The two players went stroke for stroke in the third set and were dead even at 6 all. Ultimately Bazarnik took the tiebreak 7-4 for the match and the title.

Moore placed in the top eight at state each of the last three seasons.

“Michael has been such a huge part of our academy for the past six years and I am extremely happy that he could be a state finalist,” said HTA Owner Ken Herrmann. “Although he didn’t finish the season with the results he wanted, he had an incredible high school career.”

Helping Glenbrook South take fourth were two other HTA stars, Junior Ben Hoogland and Freshman Michael Sellitto. Hoogland received a top eight seed for the tournament and won each of his first three matches in straight sets to advance to day two. In his fourth match Moore was upset by Lake Zurich’s Michael Redlicki 6-2, 6-4. Redlicki became one of the biggest stories of the IHSA event as he finished fourth as a freshman.

Hoogland got back on track in the consolation draw and won three more matches to advance to the Consolation semifinals where he fell to HTA sophomore Robert Stineman 6-1, 6-3 to tie for seventh place in the tournament.

Sellitto finished an outstanding freshman season with a third place finish in the doubles draw. Sellitto teamed up with Tommy McNichols to win their first five matches of the tournament. On day one the duo won each match in three sets, but the competition picked up on day two and the Titans pulled out two tight three set matches. In the semifinals they lost to eventual second-place finishers Ross Putterman and David Packowitz 6-0, 6-4. In the third place match Sellitto and McNichols bounced back from a first set loss to beat New Trier’s John Beam and Branter Jones 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(1). This was the fourth New Trier-GBS meeting of the year and Glenbrook South won on three occasions.

Stineman (sixth place), Scholnick (7th place) and Jones were a part of the HTA contingent that lead New Trier to third in state.

“The level of play at this event was incredible and it was especially rewarding to see the impact that many of our players had on the teams that were at the top of the standings at the end of the tournament,” said Herrmann.

Also representing the academy and their high schools were: Bill Angel (Fr., Glenbrook North), Marcus Ampon (Sr., Highland Park), Etham Frenkel (Sr., Stevenson), Kevin Prescott (Sr., Chicago Latin), Jooho Yu (Sr. Glenbrook North), and Vova Zverkovskiy (Jr., Niles West).

To qualify for the state tournament players must finish in the top four at their respective sectional. Moore, Scholnick, Jones, and Sellitto were each sectional champions and six of the top sixteen seeds at state were academy members.

Michaels Take Home District Titles

Michael Moore and Michael Kusznerko each started the summer off on a huge note, winning the Chicago District Championships held June 12-17 at eight sites across the Chicago Area.

Moore, who also captured the title in 2008, breezed into the semifinals by winning his first four matches in straight sets and only dropping 13 games. In the semifinals Moore dropped the first set 6-7 to Augie Bloom, before storming back and taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. The finals were a rematch of the IHSA State Championships held two weeks earlier, and just as in that match Bazarnik took the first set.

Playing on his home courts at the Glenbrook Racquet Club, Moore unleashed ace after ace to take the second set and even the match at 3-6, 6-4. Leading 2-1 in the third set Moore went up 0-40 on Bazarnik’s serve. After miss-hitting a forehand to take the score to 15-40, Michael forced Bazarnik into a forehand error to take the game and go up a break. Each player held for the next four games and Moore served for the championship at 5-3. Ensuring that Bazarnik couldn’t get back into the match Moore immediately hit three un-returnable serves to race out to a 40-0 lead. At match point Moore forced Blake into an error to take the title.
In the Boy’s 12s draw Michael Kusznerko ran through the draw winning all six of his matches in straight sets. Kuszernko took out the #11, #6, #4, and #2 seed in route to the title.

Nearly 1 of every 7 participants in the 490 player District Championships trained at the HTA this season, in addition to the players listed above, the following competitors represented the academy: Brian Alden, Bill Angel, Emily Barretta, Jeremy Barretta, Johnathon Benedetto, Quentin Benedetto, Ben Bleier, Ryan Buxbaum, Drew Campbell, Julian Childers, Daniel Choi, Scott Drier, Ted Eberle, Colin Egerter, Thomas Fawcett, Cammy Frei, Lauren Frei, Etham Frenkel, Luke Gensburg, Claire Golden, Josh Greenberg, Nick Hamburger, Conrad Harron, Kenny Herrmann, Aron Hiltzik, Ben Hoogland, Sam Hoogland, Nate Jacobson, Robert Jacobson, Maddy Kahn, Dennis Kontorovich, David Korobov, Michael Korobov, Courtney Lang, Max MacKinnon, Chas Mayer, Michael McFadden, Joel Meyer, Kaitlin Mogentale, David Myers, Vinnie Nagaraj, Rebecca Newmark, Blake Oslan, Arthur Ozga, Kevin Prescott, Alexa Prosniewski, Alex Rachlin, Alyssa Ritchie, Patrick Rourke, Evan Ruda, Sarah Rudo, William Sauser, Andrew Scholnick, Michael Sellitto, Jake Sheehan, Robert Stineman, William Szokol, Grace Tapak, Chris Vaselopulos, Brandon Wozniczka, Jooho Yu, Vladimir Zverkovskiy.

“It was incredible that over 65 players who trained at our academy this year participated in Chicago’s biggest event,” said Owner Ken Herrmann. “The two Michaels each had excellent tournaments and I expect them to have great results at the Midwest Closed.”

HTA in the News

With the great results our players had at the IHSA tournament the academy and our members have been showing up a lot in the newspapers recently. Below are links are excerpts to some of the stories.

Zverkovskiy turning up his game for future
By Dan Shalin, Pioneer Press

"He plans to spend several days a week at the Herrmann Tennis Academy in Northbrook. It's the same place where local tennis stars like Glenbrook South's Michael Moore, Evanston's Joseph Collins, and many of New Triers top performers train.

Twice a sweek Zverkovskiy will have lessons with Ben Pettinari, a Frenchman who has been his coach at Herrmann since Vova was 14."

All-Area North Stars Boys Tennis Team
Glenbrook South teammates see stars
by Dan Shalin, Pioneer Press

"His (Moore's) second place finish earned him the distinction of being the only GBS singles player to medal three times at the state meet.

For his performance Moore is name the 2009 Pioneer Press North Stars Singles Player of the Year. Moore's teammates, senior Tommy McNichols and freshman Michael Sellitto, comprise the North Stars Doubles Team of the Year."

(All five of the First Team Singles Players are HTA Academy Members)

Bazarnik tops Moore for state tennis title
By Mike Garofola, Daily Herald Correspondent

"The Moore-Bogatov match was a classic, taking nearly 3 1/2 hours to complete, with Moore outlasting the Warren senior 6-1, 6-7(3), 7-6(3). Together, they wowed the ever-cheering audience with abundant highlight reel shots.

'In the end, Michael hit more of the clutch shots, and just didn't miss when it counted,' said Bogatov, who came back to defeat Redlicki in the third place match."

Odd couple proves to be perferct pairing
By George Wilcox, Pioneer Press

"Glenbrook South's doubles team of McNichols and Michael Sellitto may have appeard to be an odd, first-time pairing when the season began, but the senior and freshman matched their state tournament top-four seed.

McNichols and Sellitto becamse the third doubles team from GBS to finish third in the state meet."


Glenbrook South boys tennis may have state's top one-two punch
By Mike Helfgot, Chicago Tribune

"Ben Hoogland didn't think high school tennis was good for his game. Then he saw what it did for Michael Moore. Now Glenbrook South High School has two of the top players in Illinois.

Moore, a senior headed to Notre Dame, and Hoogland, a junior, just might be the state's top one-two punch; the seeding committe for this weekend's state tennis tournament believes they are."

Titans Lead Local Effort at State Finals (Recap of Glenbrook South at IHSA Tournament)

Twelve From HTA Qualify For IHSA Championships

Twelve Qualify for IHSA State Tournament

Twelve players from the Herrmann Tennis Academy qualified for the Illinois High School Association 2009 State Boy’s Tennis Championships, which begins on Thursday, May 28th.

The HTA players participating in the tournament include: Bill Angel(Fr., Glenbrook North), Marcus Ampon(Sr., Highland Park), Etham Frenkel(Sr., Stevenson), Ben Hoogland(Jr., Glenbrook South), Brantner Jones(Jr., New Trier), Michael Moore(Sr., Glenbrook South), Kevin Prescott(Sr., Chicago Latin), Andrew Scholnick(So., New Trier), Michael Sellitto(Fr., Glenbrook South), Robert Stineman(So., New Trier), Jooho Yu(Sr. Glenbrook North), and Vova Zverkovskiy(Jr., Niles West). To qualify for the state tournament players must finish in the top four at their respective sectional.

Moore and Scholnick were each sectional singles champions with Michael winning the title in Schaumburg and Andrew capturing the championship in Skokie. Sellitto teamed up with senior Tommy McNichols to take the doubles title in Schaumburg, while Jones paired with John Beam to win in Skokie.

Moore, Hoogland, Sellitto, Scholnick, Jones, Stineman, Ampon, Frenkel, and Prescott each represented a school that won a sectional team championship.

“We are really proud of the way our kids have represented their High Schools during the season,” said HTA Owner Ken Herrmann. “I am excited to see everyone play this week and I wish all of the players best of luck!”

Moore took fifth in 2007 and sixth in 2008. Last year Stineman and Jones teamed up to take third in the doubles draw.

The twelve players look to join Ryan Heller as academy players who have won IHSA Championships. In 2002 Heller, representing Glenbrook North High School, won the state singles championship as a junior.

In 2008 Denis Bogatov(Warren H.S.) won the singles championship and Ben Woldenberg and Sam Barnett(Highland Park) won the doubles championship.

Click here for tournament results and information.

The Importance of Work Ethic in Your Tennis Development

The Importance of Work Ethic in Your Tennis Development

It’s a pretty simple notion that spending a lot of time on the tennis court is crucial to becoming a good player, but one thing many players don’t realize is that quantity of practice is not as crucial as the quality of practice.

Imagine the following two scenarios:
1.) You play five hours every day, with the best players in your region, while being advised by the best coaches. However, you have the attitude that that you always on the court with top coaches and you don’t work as hard as you can at all time.
2.) You only play one hour a day, and it is against people who you can generally beat. You are extremely motivated and you are always giving it 100%.

In my time in tennis I have learned that scenario #1 is preferred by 99% of young tennis players. It has been my experience that scenario #2 is much more efficient as it builds a Work Ethic which leads to better outcomes in the future for players as they develop as tennis players and as adults.

What is a work ethic as it applies to tennis, does it mean that you need to run around the court all day, get every ball, and get a great workout? Maybe, but only to a certain extent. My philosophy is that a hard working tennis player has to be able to combine both physical and mental effort.

Physical effort is self explanatory as it refers to pushing your body hard during practice in order to enhance the quality of your tennis game. Examples of this are moving your feet at all times, keeping yourself in the proper position on the court, and keeping up with pace after 2-3 hours of playing.

On the other hand, mental effort refers to the involvement of all of your senses while playing; including analyzing your game, your opponents game, developing the feel to predict certain situations on the court, and keeping your focus and temperament at all times.

The mental aspect of the game is integral to success as a tennis player and the earlier it is developed the more quickly a player came improve. The most important aspect may be that it allows you to become more independent on the court, and lets you play, work on your game, of compete without the aid of a coach or parent.

Torricelli Into ITA Hall of Fame

Torricelli To Be Inducted Into ITA Hall of Fame

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced that former Northwestern University men’s head tennis coach Paul Torricelli will be inducted into the ITA Men’s Hall of Fame on May 20 at the College Station Hilton in Texas. The Hall of Fame ceremony coincides with the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Championships being hosted by Texas A&M University. Torricelli currently serves as Special Advisor to HTA.

Torricelli coached the Wildcats for 24 years and finished his career with a school record 343 wins. He led the wildcats to nine NCAA tournaments and one Big Ten Championship. On three occasions Torricelli was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. Paul’s teams posted a 343-257 (.572) overall record and a 162-114 (.587) mark in Big Ten play. He had eighteen players combine to earn All-Conference honors on thirty-one occasions and three of his student-athletes were named Big Ten Player of the Year.

The Wildcat’s success was not limited to the court during Torricelli’s tenure as he had at least one player receive Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of his 24 seasons. On seven occasions his players were named to the ITA All-Academic team and his 2003 team was the recipient of the inaugural ITA Sportsmanship Award.

"I am delighted with Paul's induction into the ITA Men's Hall of Fame," ITA Executive Director David A. Benjamin said. "It is a very well deserved honor: in addition to the great success of his teams over several decades, Paul will always be rightfully linked with the development of his greatest player, Todd Martin, a 2007 ITA Men's Hall of Fame inductee. Paul contributed great service to the ITA in many ways thoughout his career, and his team was first recipient of the ITA Sportsmanship Award in 2003."

Prior to coaching Northwestern, Paul was the head coach at Lake Forest College for three years and California State University-Chico for two years.

"Paul Torricelli is most deserving of being inducted to the ITA Hall of Fame. Paul was a great coach, motivator and friend to all of the Northwestern University Men's Tennis players who played for him through his 24 year career. Paul always treated his players with the utmost care and respect and was known throughout college tennis as a coach who always made decisions in the best interest of his players,” added current Northwestern Coach Arvid Swan. “I certainly owe a great deal to Paul as he was a tremendous mentor to me, gave me my first opportunity to work at the division I level and ultimately helped prepare me to follow his legacy at Northwestern University. I am so pleased that the ITA is recognizing Paul for all of his substantial contributions as a college coach by inducting him into the ITA Hall of Fame."

Paul is nationally known as one of top mentors in the nation and six of his former assistant coaches have become division I head coaches including: Mickey Maule (Northern Illinois), Adam Steinberg (Pepperdine), Gordie Ernst (Georgetown), Jay Udwadia (Fresno State), Greg Davis (Louisville), and Swan. Click here for a story from the Daily Northwestern about Torricelli and his lineage of coaches.

“Paul has been a mentor to me and one of the most influential people I have in my life. Being his assistant coach from 1995-1997 I learned so many things on and off the court, most importantly the true meaning of professionalism,” said Stenberg, coach of the 2006 NCAA Team Champions. “Paul taught me and all his players not only the game of tennis but prepared all of us for life away from the court. He represented college tennis in a way we all should be proud of and had such a positive effect on everybody that he surrounded himself with. I owe my entire career to Paul and will be indebted to him for ever.

Joining Torricelli in the class of 2009 is Bruce Manson, Peter Rennert, Greg Holmes, Brad Pearce, Byron Black, Jose Noriega, Wayne Black, and Brian Garman.

The ITA Men’s Collegiate Hall of Fame is housed at the University of Georgia’s Henry Field Stadium. Former Georgia coach and Hall of Fame member Dan Magill serves as curator and chairmen of the Hall. The first class was inducted in 1983 and since that time over 170 players, coaches, and contributors have been enshrined.

Tip of the Month- Watching The Ball

Ben Ashford,
HTA Head Coach
PTR Certified Professional

Watching The Ball

It seems like such an easy thing to do, and it's such an important thing to do. How can we even hit the ball at all if we aren't watching it as we strike it? But we always seem to forget to do it. Why? Because it really just isn't interesting enough to keep our attention. Our brain is naturally attracted to our opponent and to our targets to see where we should be hitting. But of course, the result is that we mishit the ball and the ball does not go to our target.

So what is the best way to watch the ball? Well, it's a skill we develop just like any of the strokes in tennis. First we have to watch the ball with the center of our eyes. That means that as the ball gets to us, we actually have to turn our head to see the ball at contact. A player must turn his or her head and see the ball directly through the middle of their eyes.

Second, we should watch the ball go towards our target, but we also want to leave our head down to see contact. How do we combine these two ideas? The trick is that you need to watch the ball move to your opponent's side with your peripheral vision. Watch the ball come into y our hitting zone with the center of your eyes, but leave out the corner of your eye. When you have fully finished your follow through, then it is time to look up and see the ball as your opponent is preparing to hit.

Third we need to learn what to look for. As the ball spins, it will make a different pattern each time. The yellow felt, the white seams, and the black writing will all come together to make spinning artwork. By watching the patterns change and rotate your brain will become focused on recognizing where the ball is going and what you will do when you strike it.

One of the best professional players to emulate is Roger Federer, one of the main reasons he is the top ball-striker in the world is his ability to keep his head down and his eyes on the contact point.

Click here to watch slow motion video of Federer.

Now when your coach reminds you to hit the ball, you'll know exactly how to do it!

Ken's Mini-Camp Journal

John Roddick Mini-Camp

I have known John since he was playing junior tennis in Texas and was one of America's most promising players. As an All-American at the University of Georgia, John had a stellar collegiate career. John had planned to play on the ATP tour, before a back injury cut his pro career short. John has opened Roddick Total Tennis, a residential academy in San Antonio, which is home to several of the top juniors in the world. These days John spends his time at the academy or on tour coaching some of the top American players, including his brother Andy and Mardy Fish. John has been a big contributor towards Andy's success and I was excited to have the opportunity to bring him to the academy.

Friday, March 6

The camp sold out and we had 32 players coming in from across the Midwest. The HTA staff made sure that all of the player's families were taken care of and we were ready for a terrific weekend of tennis. The camp started with John's opening seminar of "Exploiting your opponent's weakness." Three of our older academy members came in to help John demonstrate the various patterns and styles of play that he discussed. One of John's focal points was the concept of changing pace on the forehand side, to easily add variety to one's game. After John was finished I spoke on the subject of attaching an opponent's second serve with a return to the middle of the court to create short ball opportunities.

After the demonstrations the players were divided into four team's to compete in collegiate style Davis Cup competition. Each team was coached by one of the HTA Head Coaches.

Saturday, March 7

Saturday morning began with John providing video analysis on Andy's winning patterns and strategies. It was interesting to see which strategies Andy would implement against different opponents, and to see the adjustments he would make during matches. Immediately following the video session, HTA Director Ernie Katko presented the subject of "Making the court bigger". The players were then lead into live-ball drills to warm up for competition in the afternoon.

The afternoon session lasted nearly five hours and consisted of team competition and the highlight of the camp, Roddick providing individual video analysis of each of the 32 campers. With the special help of Patriot Productions(Mark Ortega), each of the juniors picked a specific stroke that we critiqued using super slo-motion high definition video. The juniors had their stroke compared in split screen to a WTA/ATP player of their choice. John's analysis was recorded and each of players received a DVD copy to share with their personal coach.

After the last ball of the eight and a half hour day was hit, the parents, players, and staff enjoyed a pizza party.

Sunday, March 8

We got an early start on Sunday, with Davis Cup play resuming at 8am. As the matches progressed throughout the morning, John and I ran a two court bank which we titles "Special Problems" court. This gave us an opportunity to work with each camper individually on a particular portion of their game.

The camp ended at 11:00 with our awards ceremony. Each team was given a special token for participating in the camp, and the winning team got HTA towels autographed by John.

Special thanks goes to John and his staff at Roddick Total Tennis. He was very easy for the players to communicate with and I really think the players benefited from working with him. He has a tremendous knowledge of the sport, and is truly motivated to giving back to the game. He was excited to see the talent in the Midwest and left impressed with how technically sound the juniors are. I really appreciate him finding the time to fly in and create this experience.

Thanks for coming John!

Frenkel Signs With Tulane

Herrmann Tennis Academy Senior Etham Frenkel has accepted a scholarship offer to play tennis at Tulane University in New Orleans. Frenkel joins Michael Moore as the second HTA player in the class of 2009 to receive an NCAA Division I scholarship.

Etham is entering a unique situation as Tulane is sponsoring varsity tennis for the first time since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the campus. He joins the university in a five player recruiting class that is rated #22 by TennisRecruiting.net. Prior to disbanding the Green Wave had captured five of the last eight Conference USA championships and featured 2004 NCAA Runner-up Michael Kogan.

“Etham is going to be a great fit for what we are rebuilding here at Tulane. My goal for this first year’s recruiting class was to sign players who were strong academically, great athletes, and men of good character; Etham fills all 3 prerequisites,” noted Tulane head coach Mark Booras. “He is a player with tremendous upside and a great work ethic and I think he will be a huge asset to our program. He dictates with his big serve and big forehand and I think his speed will always keep him in the points. The fact that he is coming from a two sport background in tennis and football, and been a part of several successful teams, will pay many dividends on our very young first year squad. I’m really looking forward to having Etham as part of our team and helping him develop as a tennis player and a young man.”

Frenkel is ranked 25th in the USTA Midwest Section and 238 in the Nation in the Boys’ 18s. TennisRecruiting.net ranks Etham as the 5th best prospect in the state of Illinois and the 16th rated player in the Great Lakes region.

“Coach Booras recognized the big strengths that Etham has in his forehand, serve, and potential to improve,” said HTA Head Coach Ben Pettinari. “Etham is working to improve every facet of his game, to get himself ready for a great college career.”

Etham, a senior at Stevenson High School, is the 29th Herrmann Tennis Academy player to receive an athletic scholarship since the academy opened its doors in 1999 and will be the 48th member to play college tennis.

Comments from my desk

"It is my vision and philosophy to push each participant to understand the steps involved with the process of achieving one’s dreams. My coaching staff wants to impact their students’ lives in a positive manner by giving them the opportunity to excel not only at a lifetime sport, but also throughout their everyday lives."
-HTA Owner Ken Herrmann

With Ken's vision in mind it is especially rewarding to receive the two notes below from HTA parents.

"I just want to say thank you so much for wonderful and kind words about our son Brandon. You just made his day. He is so proud of it, that he emailed the page to his old coach Aaron Rusnak. Also I have to tell you that since Brandon started to play in your academy he is much happier about everything especially his love-tennis. He started believing in himself and also in his game more and more everyday. He works very hard on staying positive and happy even through bad moments in school, at home and on the court. That is what makes my day, so thank you again and thanks to everybody from HTA."

-Bogusia Wozniczka

"Thanks for having Vinnie as the featured player of the month on your
news letter. Vinnie is thrilled and seems to have a added shot of
confidence. Vinnie really enjoys being a part of your program and looks
forward to Mondays. Jackie's on going guidance and Ernie's watchfulness
have made a difference in Vinnie's game. Our sincere thanks to all you."

-Suresh Nagaraj

GRC/HTA Hosts Winter Dash

HTA Takes Two at Winter Dash

Herrmann Tennis Academy members Drew Campbell and Michal Kusznerko each took home titles on their home court, winning the Boys’ 16s and 14s divisions at the Glenbrook Racquet Club on February 6-8.

Drew was seeded third and won his first two matches 6-0, 6-1 and 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals Campbell topped second seed Oliver Jaimes 6-1, 6-3 to move into the finals where he met Academy classmate Bill Angel. Angel only dropped twelve games in his three matches on his way to the final. Cambell came away with a 6-2, 6-2 victory in what was one of the most competitive matches of the tournament.

Campbell, 14, has won the last three Boys’ 16 tournaments that he has entered. Cambell and Angel also met in the finals of the Lincolnshire Holiday Challenger in December.

The ten-year old Michael Kusznerko entered the 32 player boys’ 14s draw seeded seventh and only lost three games total in his first three matches. In the semifinals he topped Jeremy Jacobson 6-3, 6-2, before taking out #1 seed Brandon Berish by the same score in the finals.

Joining Angel, Campbell, and Kusznerko in the tournament were the following 14 HTA players: Ben Bleier, Jordan Cotler, Andrew Green, Ross Jordan, Shyun Jung, Michal Kusznerko, Zach Libman, Connor Murray, Walter Palmer, Ian Parkhill, Eli Rogatz, Patrick Rourke, Evan Ruda, Sam Wiener, and Tyler Wislow.

“Drew and Michal’s results were especially impressive when considering that both players were playing up ,” said tournament director Jim Kultgen. “I was even more pleased that two academy members, Shyun Jung and Bill Angel, earned the sportsmanship awards.”