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..!

Dominique Massicott poses for a photo on a sunny day not long ago. Dominique is part of the very engetic afterschool group that meets on Tuesdays in Nassau Bay.

Home School Tennis: Friends and Family

My Friday morning home school program has over 20 prticipants...! There's an 8 and 9 AM Family drill, and a 10 AM Tennis League. Pictured below are two young players who have been in the Friday morning program since it started in 2003. Both Amy and Anna have brothers, sisters and moms that play tennis, too. That's another one of the nice aspects of the great sport of tennis: it's an activity that the entire family can do together. It's also a fun way to pass the time with a friend...!

Tennis is more fun with good friends...! Here's Amy Mcnicoll and Anna Purcell during a recent home school tennis practice. 

Amy Mcnicoll... She's been playing tennis for a couple of years now and is one of my top young students. Too bad she's so shy in front of the camera...!

PRO AM Revisited

This weekend I participated in a Pro Am at Houston Racquet Club to benefit the Houston Parks and Rec's junior program. Specifically, we raised money for scholarships for needy juniors to help pay for their tournament expenses. Dr Michael Stavinoah of the Houston Racquet Club generously underwrote the event for the third year in a row. There were 48 particpants in all. 12 pros, 12 juniors and 24 adults. We all formed into 6 teams of eight and played a fun round robin event that mixed up the pairings each round. It was a good and fun event and I am glad I participated. Many thanks also to my team: Delfin, Jim, Doug, Ginnie, Daisey, Paloma and Arriana. We finished second overall in the fun competition. Way to go, Guys...!

HPTA Pro Ross Persons

HPTA Pro Ross Persons poses with friends... Ross has taught at Houston Racquet Club for many years.

Segun, Delfin, and Doug

left to right: HPTA Pros Segun Balogun and Delfin Ochoa, standing with tournament participant Doug Phillips.

HPTA Executive Director Pam White

Pam White is holding the visors that were presented to the first place team.

Coach Sam's Army...!

From left to right: Team Members Ginny Meis, Jim Monts, and Paloma Escobedo.

Delfin Ochoa and Ron Consolino

Here's a photo of my good friend and fellow tennis pro Delfin Ochoa (left). Delfin was on my Pro Am team. To the right is Delfin's friend and student, Ron Consolino. Nice Hat, Ron!

Caroline Stephanau

Caroline Stephanau is 8 years old and has been playing tennis for a little over a year. Her tennis skills have improved greatly in a year's time. I would have to say that Caroline is one of my most dedicated tennis students. She really loves tennis. She even came out to a lesson recently when the temperatures were dropping below 50 degrees. And she told me: '...This is kinda cold, but I'll bring my gloves next time and I'll be fine...' Then she pulled her hands into her sleeves and gripped her racquet through her pull-over top...!

-That's pretty resourceful, I think!

Right now Caroline is what I call a 'recreational player'. She's just doing it for fun. But later on, if she really takes it seriously, I think she could develop into a fine player..! We'll see... She's still not ready for her first tournament yet, but she's well on her way...!

Caroline Poses for a Serve. She's very good at hitting serves when standing close to the net. We're currently working on a progression that has her moving back a step farther from the net every time she makes her serve in...! (Notice her right hand is tucked into her sleeve for warmth)

Lake Cove Tennis Program -Seabrook

The Iaccino Sisters...!

I don't advertise the Lake Cove Program on my web page because it's a private program designed solely for residents of the Lake Cove sub division and their guests. I have been teaching in Lake Cove for over two years now and many of the same students that started with me then are still participating in the program. Recently I have had a great influx of new students. Tennis is alive and well in Lake Cove!

Today's featured players are two of my newer students, Miranda and Natasha Iaccino. They love tennis and always have a great time at tennis practice. From time to time Miranda draws and colors tennis pictures for me which I keep on the wall in my office at home.

Stay tuned for more Lake Cove Tennis Photos in the next few weeks.

Miranda Iaccino is one of my most improved players. She has a great attitude and never gets upset if she misses a shot. These are rare and exceptional qualities for a young player such as herself....!