Wesley Stonestreet: Tennis Warrior

Wesley Stonestreet is gearing up for a big year in 2005. He has a nice groundstroke game. He's not afraid to come to the net. He mixes up spins very well, including slice. His serve still needs some attention, but being a left hander gives him an added advantage.

He loves tennis and works hard to improve his game. He has a strong court presence and very much prefers winning to losing. He is very coachable and is a popular favorite with the other players in the tennis program, both youth and adult.

If Wesley continues to apply himself then he has a bright future in store. I look forward to watching his progress in 2005.

Wesley Stonestreet is shown here at a recent tennis workout during Coach Sam's Monday drill at Columbia Lakes Country Club in West Columbia. 

A left hander, Wesley is shown here following through on his backhand. Here he displays great shoulder rotation and good balance while keeping his eye on the ball. His backhand is the most lethal shot in his arsenal. 

Wesley Stonestreet is one of the top players in the Columbia Lakes junior development program. 

Columbia Lakes K-9 Member of the Month, December 2004

Jack Pot Nagle. Also Known as Jackie. She is the Queen of the Court at Columbia Lakes Country Club. And she does a great job ruling over and protecting the Tennis Courts from evil Golf Carts that have the misfortune of passing by. She usually attends Monday Ladies Drill and Saturday Morning co-ed drill with her companion, 'Gracie', who was a little camera shy the day photos were taken...!

Boyd Rogers shows off a great open stance forehand here. He wears his hat backwards like Andy Roddick and Leyton Hewitt.

Evan Rogers hustles for a backhand in this photo. 

Corey Prewitt shows his form on this forehand groundstroke. He's doing a great job staying on his toes in this photo. 

Jill Moss shows her flexibility here. In addition to tennis lessons, Jill also studies dance. 

Hunter Prewitt displays excellent balance and concentration during the follow through of this shot during Coach Sam's Holiday Christmas Camp 

John Henry Adams works on his forehand groundstroke during the 2004 Christmas Camp 

Coach Sam's Holiday Tennis Tournament

The Highlight of the Thanksgiving Holidays was my one day non elimination tennis tournament in Nassau Bay. The non elimination format allowed players to get lots of practice and experience match play pressure in a safe, controlled environment. Players were divided into three groups based on age and skill level. Modified scoring was used in the younger divisions. This was a very successful event. Everyone got to play lots of tennis and a good time was had by all participants. The event had entrants from my various programs in League City, Nassau Bay, and Seabrook.

The weather conditions were perfect. I couldn't have asked for a nicer day for the players and parents, many of which were experiencing their first tennis tournament. Undefeated players in each group included: Patrick Creamer, Alex Gatica, and Will Leighton.

More photos will be published in the next few days.

2004 Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament Participants...! 

It was hard to keep everyone still for the photo session....! 

Cameron prepares for a forehand before a small crowd who came to observe the festivities. 

Cameron Kerr is off the ground moving for this short ball. This was Cameron's first tournament. He played better in every match up and was the most improved player of the tournament 

'Astro' focuses intently on the ball as he prepares for a forehand groundstroke. 

Drew Leighton, aka: 'Astro' is waiting to return serve in his final singles match of the day. 

Alex Gatica reaches up for a serve in the background as Seth Purcell stands ready at the net during an afternoon doubles match following the singles play. 

Alex Gatica plays in Coach Sam's Lake Cove tennis program in Seabrook. Alex was undefeated in his singles group. Not bad for his first tournament...! 

Will Leighton prepares to hit a deep backhand in this photo. He was undefeated in his singles group...! 

Home School Tennis Fun...!

The Home School Tennis Program is made up of participants residing in the Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Clear Lake, League City, Santa Fe, Friendswood, and Alvin areas. Dan and Jack Mcglaughlin have been in the progam almost from the beginning. Will Waible has just joined the group this year. They are great friends. And that's two of the main ingredients in the Home School Tennis Program: Fun and Friends...! In this photo sequences they are clowning around posing as a rock band.

Presenting: The Homeschool Tennis Team Air Guitar Band..! From left to right: Will Waible, Jack Mcglaughlin, and Daniel Mclaughlin 

Daniel is shown here attacking the camera. Meanwhile, the band plays on in the background... 

Columbia Lakes Tennis- Boyd Rogers

Today's Featured Player is a participant in my Columbia Lakes Program. Boyd Rogers comes from a tennis playing family that includes a younger brother (Evan), and his mom (Charlyn). All are avid players. An excellent athlete, Boyd excels at both footbal and tennis. He has been a regular participant in my adult drill on Saturday mornings.

It's nice to see Boyd, his brother and mom all enjoying tennis together. It reminds me of my younger days when the Chadwell Family used to all play together. With the great support system Boyd has, he's sure to continue to improve his tennis game. Boyd is in the market for a new racquet. I'm going to let him try the new NCode 6.1 Tour by Wilson this weekend. Who knows...? That racquet could take him to the next level...! (Roger Federer has done ok with it..)

Boyd Rogers is an Angleton High School student. He plays both Tennis and Football for his school. With football season over now he can fully concentrate on his tennis. Boyd has great desire to play tennis. He always gives 100% effort in his practices. He is a good student, fun to coach, and I predict great results for Boyd's 2005 tennis season!

Boyd Rogers stretches for a wide forehand in this photo 

The After-School Bunch

Today's featured players are all participants of what I call my 'after school bunch'. They come to class immediately after school and because they have been sitting inside for many hours they are ready to let off some steam and run and play and hit tennis balls...! This is by far my highest energy group of the entire week. We have lots of fun learning new tennis skills in a games based setting. It's amazing how quickly the players improve... They are all well on their way to becoming excellent players...!

Caitlyn Auger is ready for a high forehand volley in this photo. We're working on getting her to use one hand on her forehands now but at the time this photo was taken we hadn't made the correction yet. Caitlyn loves tennis and is progressing very nicely in her lessons.

Gabrielle Massicott shows her ready position for a backhand groundstroke. She borrowed one of my adult racquets the day this photo was taken and that's why she's got her hands split apart. Gabrielle has some of the best ground strokes in her class..!