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By Mary Maragos & Ryan Wolfington
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Darling Tennis Center hosted the 2009 National Open Championships presented by Snell and Wilmer. The sleepless Vegas weekend included the National Team Championships(Open-Level), the Snell & Wilmer Tennis Challenge and a blow-out Disco that doubled as the players' party. The National Championships and the Tennis Challenge benefited the American
Cancer Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Many of the guests also attended Agassi's Grand Slam For Children which raised close to 8 million to benefit at-risk children through education.
This year, over 400 Open-Level players competed on nearly 40 men's and women's squads for the national team title. In a unique twist on registration, the Championships' sponsor eliminated the tournament entry fee. Instead, each team made a donation to the Cancer Societies in order to participate in the event.
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The disco, the massive video screens and light displays filled the Darling Tennis Center's rotunda. The sound system had golfers at nearby courses wondering what was happening on the back nine. Dream Entertainment and Memphis Barbeque treated the guests to a spectacular evening of food and fun.
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The Men's Intermountain/Nevada team became the Champions after winning a tough match against another Intermountain/Idaho team from Boise, Idaho. Players on the Championship Men's team were: Rob Kinas (Captain), Tim Blenkiron, Adam Carey, Henner Nehles, Brian Wilson, Misha Yevtich, Derek Brooks, and Les Esinga, all of Las Vegas. The Ladies Southern California/Intermountain team also took home the Championship trophy in the Ladies draw. Members of that team were: Sandy Yanko (Captain), (Las Vegas), Stacey Heroy (Las Vegas), Michelle Domanico (Las Vegas), Gyorgi Zsiros (Las Vegas), Christine Lee (Captain), Maureen Diaz (Glendale, CA), Jonni Seymour (Bakersfield, CA), Kimberlee Toalepai (Sandy, Utah) and Regina Kruger (Bakersfield, CA). The Tournament Committee of Rob Kinas, Sue Johnson Maurer, Liz Kamish, Sandy Foley and Mary Maragos have already begun planning the event for 2010. The 2010 men and women Open National Team Championships are scheduled for October 8-10 in Las Vegas. Any Open team is welcome to apply for entry. For more information, contact Robert Kinas at rkinas@swlaw.com
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Boise, Idaho was the site for the 2009 USTA Senior League Sectional Championships, September 26-28, 2009. The Ladies Spanish Trail 4.0 team from Las Vegas won the Championship title for the Intermountain Section and will be representing the Intermountain Section/Nevada District at the 2009 USTA Senior National Championships in Indian Wells, CA, October 16-18. Members of the team are: Ingrid Sturm (Captain), Beverly Talaat, Sandy Mirkil, Peggy Timney, Terri Green, Karen Regin, Debbie Goot, Joan Perricone, Kathy Anderson, Rita Arden, Donna Roulias and Jackie Rinaldi.
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Two National Championships were held October 2-4, 2009, the 4.0 Championship was held in Las Vegas at the Darling Center and Lorenzi Park, while the 5.0 Championships were held at Indian Wells, CA. In these 2 National Championships, Las Vegas had a team participating in each. The Men's 5.0 team from Spanish Trail finished 2nd in their flight at the National Championships. Members of that team are: Rob Kinas (Captain), Brett Condon, Ben Cousins, Devin Luzod, Danny Maccanello, Igor Santana, Alex Sugai, Mark Swanson, Gordon Hammond, Neil Fineman, Ken Bang and Darren Bresee.
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USTA-Nevada ladies 4.0 team takes 2nd at National Championships
The Ladies 4.0 team from Darling Tennis Center started their National Championship adventure by being placed in the toughest flight in the draw. After winning this flight by a margin of 3 sets, they then competed in the semi-finals against Northern California, which they won 4-1, advancing to the finals of the USTA Adult 4.0 National Championships. Here they faced the Ladies from Southern California; the Las Vegas team eventually lost 3-2 after playing 4 third set tie-breaks for the exciting finish. Members of this team are: Truki Marasco (Captain), Hillary Wolfson, Caroline Lee, Liz Lundstrum, Mindy Curnutt, Kathy Pederson, Deena Dia, Mary Stengel, Crystal Flaton, Kelli Jorgensen, Deana Deluca, Margaretha Breytenbach, Stacey Carney and Amanda Comtois.
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Las Vegas will again host a National Championships from October 30 to November 1, 2009 when the USTA 4.5 National Championships are played at the Darling Tennis Center and Lorenzi Park. The Ladies 4.5 team from Canyon Gate CC will be competing for the National title. The team includes: Staci Holmes (Captain), Gina Lee (Captain), Merrilu Kutcher, Pam Kirkendall, Melfor Blodgett, Jean Mangino, Masako Sunago, Nina Pipiaau, UnHee Aptekar, Jacque Haas, Colundra Owens, Allison Davis, Maryann Goodsell, Sarah Heer and Mariana Moreno.
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The 8.0 USTA Mixed Doubles National Championships will be held in Tucson, AZ, November 20-22, 2009. Representing Intermountain/Nevada is the team from Desert Palm Tennis Center. This team swept the Intermountain Sectional Championship in Boulder, CO, July 17-19 with a 4-0 record to advance to the National Championships. Members of this team are: Nina Pililaau (Captain), UnHee Aptekar (captain), Mark Mendoza, Duke Komoto, Luther Bohanan, K.C. Scherrer, Mariana Moreno, Rich Luong, James Edwards and Craig Sinise.
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For more information regarding Adult League Competition in Las Vegas, please call Mary Maragos, District League Coordinator for the USTA/Nevada, 702-792-8384 or e-mail adults@ustanevada.com
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