Parents / Players,
A reminder that WOcademy will take place at the High School SOUTH courts off 152nd Ave. K-3rd graders go from 9-10am, 4th-8th graders go from 10-noon, and people who signed up for the evening session go from 6-8pm.
I'll see you all soon!
Pete Schwallier
(MVP Athletic Club runs their morning programming for tennis at the High School NORTH courts. If you see activity going up there, that's what that's about...still go to the SOUTH)
Players,
The Lakeshore Open is being hosted by the Dewitt Tennis Center this year. The deadline is Sunday night by midnight (Fathers Day). This would be a good opportunity for players...a very good opportunity. The tournament is next weekend, June 21-23. For people thinking they want to get more serious about tennis, USTA tournaments are the next step after doing lessons, academies, drills, etc. And it doesn't get much easier than a USTA tournament right in town where you live.
Click Here for details.
Coach
First of all, what is the West Michigan Qualifier?
The West Michigan Qualifier is the first round of the USTA National Championships. Anyone who is a member of the USTA can (and probably should) enter into the event. West Michigan is our district, and this year the top 7 players in each age group will qualify for the Midwest Closed. From there, the players who do well at the Midwest closed will qualify for the USTA National Championships, which is actually held in Kalamazoo each year. The winner of the Boys 18's Nationals in Kalamazoo earns a spot into the US Open in the Fall (although if that happens to any of our boys, they will have to pass, because the US Open conflicts with our tryouts).
Who do we have at the Qualifier this Weekend?
This year, Mark VanderStoep, Nick Valentine, and Nick Schnobel are playing in the Boys 16's division. Not only that, but all three of them won their first match and have advanced in the draw. Nick Valentine beat a player from Rockford, which we always like to see. Mark VanderStoep had to play a seed player in the first round, but beat him anyway (I won't call it an upset though, because I believe Mark truly was the stronger player). Nick is one of the seeds in the tournament. He won handily in the first round, and like Valentine and Stoep, he is pushing through the draw one round at a time. Mr. VanderStoep correctly noticed that we are the only boys tennis team to have 3 players win their first match at the Qualifier.
Why play the event, other than to qualify for the Midwest Closed?
1. USTA points. This is a level 4 tournament. If you win a match at the qualifier, even one match, it's worth about as many points as winning a whole level 6 tournament. You want points because it improves your ranking. Impvoring your ranking lets you get seeded in tournaments, which makes it easier to win smaller tournaments, getting you even more points. This lets you enter into more prestigious tournaments, because you have the points to enter. And this makes your ranking go up even higher, which makes college coaches look at you. Basically, the Qualifier can be the start of a ripple effect, provided you have the game to back it up.
2. Experience/Motivation. Every good player in West Michigan will be there....ALL OF THEM. This is your chance to see them all in one place and see how good you really are. Heck, if you don't feel comfortable to sign up and play, drive down and watch. Spend the weekend seeing what the next level of competition looks like. If you aren't motivated to work harder after watching Davis Crocker and Paul Oosterbaan play, tennis probably isn't for you! I would recommend watching this tournament over getting a private lesson in terms of value, and it costs very little to drive down there.
Parents/Players,
Thanks for a great trip this weekend in Midland. As usual, the players conducted themselves very well. This group of girls just very rarely complains about anything. You go with the flow and have a great attitude. You made it very easy to be your coach all year, so thank you. Our last business of the year is the banquet to celebrate our accomplishments, so here's the info:
West Ottawa Tennis Banquet
Tuesday June 4, 2013
South High School Cafeteria 6:30 PM
Freshman bring desserts
Sophomores bring appetizers
Juniors bring Desserts
Seniors bring drinks
RSVP name and total number of people attending to sally_burns@hermanmiller.com or call 616-836-8794 (cell) or 616-738-2168(home) by 6/2/2013
VARSITY PLAYERS: It is expected that EVERY player will bring their uniform and warmups to the banquet. Remembering to do this is important, especially with so many Seniors who won't be in school next week. This means warmups, your new uniform, and your old uniform.
See you soon,
Coach Schwallier
Players/Parents,
The State Finals experience begins soon, and it's going to be incredible. Thank you for all the work it took to get there. So, let's get prepared:
Finanaces - let's get the money talk out of the way first...
State T-shirts - Girls should bring $18 to give to the VandePoel's before we leave for the tournament. If a check is made out, write it to Superior Sports. (Thank you VandePoel's for doing all this, you did a great job as always)
Food Money - I was informed this morning that West Ottawa has made the decision that money for food will no longer be provided for the team. I am sorry to have been told this, and I am sorry that it was communicated to me the day before departure, and only because I inquired. This is in no way Mr. Marsman's fault. Please believe me that our athletic office is bending over backwards to support the team on this. My guess is that $35 will be needed if we don't make it a 2nd day, and about $50 will be needed if we do make it to the 2nd day. Parent's Dinner Thursday Night - Holiday Inn Sports Bar in Midland at 7PM. The Hosner's and the Keech's have already made reservations. If you are in town, join them for some fun and enjoy each other's company.Banquet Information...this is important so I'm sneaking it in:
CELEBRATE TENNIS SEASON AND RECOGNIZE ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!!
West Ottawa Tennis Banquet
Tuesday June 4, 2013
South High School Cafeteria 6:30 PM
Freshman bring desserts
Sophomores bring appetizers
Juniors bring Desserts
Seniors bring drinks
RSVP name and total number of people attending to sally_burns@hermanmiller.com or call 616-836-8794 (cell) or 616-738-2168(home) by 6/2/20131. The Draw. CLICK HERE for the Divsion 1 State Finals draw. However, make sure you don't get too caught up in it. Time spent thinking about WHO you play is time you are not thinking about HOW you are going to play. Put your focus in the right place.
2. The Itinerary.
Thursday
10:00am Players are excused from class
10:15am Players are expected to be at the Athletic Office. Parents are welcome to come and see them off.
10:30am Depart for Midland
Noon We will stop for lunch.
1:30pm We will practice at the Midland Tennis Center. CLICK HERE for tennis center info.
3:00pm Check in at the Hampton Inn. CLICK HERE for hotel info.
5:30pm Hang out at the Mall/Dinner - Buffalo Wild Wings seems to be what the girls want at this point.
8:30pm Team meeting in Coaches Room
*After the meeting we'll head to our rooms for some rest. (Got that girls!?!?!)
Friday
6:00am Breakfast7:00am Arrive at Midland Tennis Center (warm-up)
7:45am Coaches Meeting
8:00am Players Meeting
8:15am Play begins
*We play till we are all done. If anyone advances to the Semi-Finals, we all stay a 2nd day. In this case we return home on Saturday afternoon. If we are all done on Friday night, we will get home very late on Friday, even as late as midnight possibly.
Team Goals
1. Don't do anything stupid.
2. Perform to your ability.
3. Have fun.
4. Players, some time over the weekend, thank your parents for all they do. If there is a particular instructor(s) who have helped you over the past year, this is a weekend to send them a call or text. They spent a lot of time and energy so you can have experiences like this. Weekends like this are great times to acknowledge the people who have helped you.
5. And seriously, don't do anything stupid this weekend.ParentsThose of you who have been to this event know that we will consume a lot of food throughout the tournament. If you are going, leave a comment below about what you are going to bring. And a reminder that parents are meeting at the Holiday in Sports Bar at 7PM on Thursday night! And if any parents are on the fence about whether you should make the trip, the answer is YES! If you like things that awesome, you will like this:) Make it a great week! -Coach Schwallier
...for bringing over the refreshments at practice today. With the heat we had, I'd say it was a good day for it! But obviously, more than that, thanks for all you do for the program every day. It took a lot of people in the community working together to win the Regional again, and this fact is not lost on me or the team. Thanks for all you do.
Monday: Practice after School
Tuesday: No Practice (I'm at the OK-Red All Conference Selection Meeting)
Wednesday: Practice after School
Thursday: Practice after School
Friday: No Practice, go enjoy Memorial Day weekend!
(I am setting up a scrimmage, but it is unlikely to be this week. Details to come.)
It's pretty amazing what you all did yesterday. The official results haven't been published because there is still a 2 singles match that likely finished an hour or two ago. However, you can Click Here for the results that I did receive today. I added up the points for all the teams today and included them at the end of the document. I may have counted some of it wrong because I went fast, but it's probably pretty close until the final results come in. Obviously either Grandville or EK will get an extra point depending on how the 2 singles match ends. Players: Thanks again for your amazing play. You definitely had more fun than every team there, and it paid off in the points. It sure was fun to see the hard work pay off.Parents: You all know how much I appreciate you as well. The support you give the girls and the program is awesome. Coach Matt: Thank you so much for choosing to coach here at West Ottawa. We don't get to 22 points with out you and what your whole staff at MVP do for us. At least 2/3 of the team is training with you guys throughout the year, and good things are happening. It's fun to work together with people to make good things happen.
Ok, I'll post more later, but this is a good start. Time to enjoy a Tennis Free Friday evening:)-Coach Schwallier
Tomorrow is the day, let's make it a FUN one!
Important Times:
Arrive at Great American Bagel: 7:10
Leave Great American Bagel: 7:30
Arrive at Holland High: 7:45
Official On-Court Warmup Time for WO: 8:00-8:20
Coaches Meeting: 8:30
Players Meeting: 8:45
Play Begins: 9:00
Kicking Butt: All day long
Sites:
Holland High School: All the 1's and 2's for singles and doubles
Holland Christian High School: All the 3's and 4's
Parents: As always, bring plenty to eat and drink, be up beat, and get ready to root for WO. Black and White gear is encouraged but not mandatory:)
Participating Schools: West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Grandville, Grand Haven, East Kentwood, Rockford, Holland, Caledonia, Kalamazoo Central, Jenison, Battle Creek Central, Wyoming
Tournament Format: Single Elimination. If you have a bye, your first round is worth two points, and one point for every win thereafter. If you are unseeded and win your first match, you earn one point for that match, plus an additional point for every win thereafter. Taking 1st or 2nd or getting a total of 18 points qualifies us for the State Finals. I've found that in general, the best strategy is to try to get as many points as possible.
Parents/Players,
Many of you were present in the Keech's RV to hear about the new plan, but here's where things stand:
- The tournament will conclude on Monday
- Players are dismissed from class @ 1:00 PM
- They will meet at the athletic office ASAP after school.
- We will depart for Grand Haven at 1:10 from the athletic office.
- 3/4 Doubles will report directly to White Pines, All other flights to the High School.
- All final matches will be played at the High School for 1st-4th place.
- All 5th/6th place matches will occur at White Pines Middle School.
Remember that Tuesday we play Holland High, who is a good team in our region. Their coach has done a great job preparing the girls, and they are improved from the beginning of the season. Be ready for them and do not take them lightly, regardless of the score the 1st time you played them.
It's getting towards the end of the season. Stay focused for a few more days, and we can have a lot of fun ahead in the coming weeks!!!
-Coach Schwallier
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