John Merkle

John Merkle is a participant in Coach Sam's Home School Program in Rustic Oaks on Thursdays

Thursday 6 PM Tennis Class

Will Leighton

Will Leighton is shown here arguing a line call with his younger brother Drew during a home school tennis workout in Rustic Oaks.

Ashleigh's Cool Shades

Ashleigh Calcote prepares for a serve during a class at Coach Sam's Rustic Oaks Home School location. Ashleigh knows the importance of protecting her eyes from the sun's harmful UV Rays, and she likes to look stylish doing so..!

Wesley Leighton

Wesley Leighton Practices a forehand during a home school tennis work out.

Wesley celebrated his 4th birthday this past weekend...!

Laura Knaupp

Laura Knaupp collects up tennis balls in Coach Sam's Friday morning home school program in Nassau Bay. You can just barely see Haley Hafely over Laura's shoulder in the background.

Home School Tennis in Nassau Bay

This good looking group of yougsters have been playing in Coach Sam's Home School Tennis programs going on three years now. They all play in the Tuesday afternoon program in Nassau Bay. Front row l to r: Brendon Moses and David Michael Moses. Back row l to r: Gerrit Van Zjyll and Alexis Moore.

Gabriel and Hobbes Play Tennis

These are two of Coach Sam's cats. Gabriel (left) is trying to steal the ball away from Hobbes (Right) Peepers is not pictured here. She's too grouchy and nobody wants to play with her. I think she's a little too competitive....

Matt McNicoll

Matt McNicoll prepares to feed a ball to a group of players in Coach Sam's Friday Morning Home School Tennis Program. Matt has assisted in the program for two years now...!

Mountain of Tennis Balls

Matt Knaupp collects balls during a recent workout.

Matt is one of the most improved players in the

home school tennis program over the past 3 months...!

Home School Tennis

Hannah Hafely concentrates on a forehand groundstroke in this photo. She just recently re-joined Coach Sam's Home School Tennis program along with her sister, Haleigh. They are in their second year of Tennis lessons with Coach Sam.

Brendon Moses of Nassau Bay shows off his ready position in the Friday morning Home School program. He and brother David Michael have been in the home school tennis program going on three years now.

Team Tennis Photos

Here's Brad Reed (upper photo) in a team tennis match at Columbia Lakes this summer. Brad played Line one singles and doubles for the West Columbia team.

John Chadwell follows through on a forehand in this photo. John played in the team tennis league as a substitute player. He also coached the junior high leagues.

Unusual Style

Ron Welborn of Bay City has an unusual serving style that un-nerves his opponents. He stands facing away from the court then tosses, turns, and spins into his motion making his delivery placement virtually undetectable. He and Kayin Rice were undefeated the entire team tennis season and had a perfect 5-0 record.

Team Tennis Photos

Jake Davidson shows off his league shirt in this photo. Jakes Mom and dad are coaches at Bay City High School. The Bay City team won the summer community team tennis league.



Jake recently competed in a boys 10's event in Corpus Christi this past weekend where he placed second overall in his division. Way to go, Jake...!

The Angleton Team Placed Second overall in team competition losing a close finalto Bay City 3 matches to 2 on Sunday. Team participants included from left to right: Chase Sanders, Ausin Christensen, Kathryn Head, Josh Sebesta (captain), and Chase Bieri. Not pictured is Kathryn Rice.

Stephen Davis of Lake Jackson won the individual competition for Junior High players in the Columbia Lakes League. Stephen will be an eighth grader when he goes back to school next week.

The League Champs are from Bay City. Pictured left to right in the back row are Kaylin Rice, Jeff Davidson, Ron Welborn, and Sharon Davidson. Front Row l to r: Marcie Wright and Kasey Cook.

'Captain' Jack Mclaughlin

Jack Mclaughlin has been taking lessons in Coach Sam's home school program for several years now and is starting to play local area tournaments. He and his brother Daniel have a tournament this weekend. They are playing in the Houston Pro Tennis Association's Junior Gran Prix. Jack plays in the boys 12 and under division and Daniel plays in the Boy's 14 and under division. I am very proud of them for working hard on their games. There is no telling how good they will be if they really apply themselves. Best wishes in the tournament this weekend, Dan and Jack...!

Ed Calcote

Ed Calcote is the father of Kyle and Ashleigh Calcote who take lessons in the home school tennis program. Ed is a very accomplished player. In this photo Ed is participating in Coach Sam's Memorial Day Tennis Social at Columbia Lakes Country Club in West Columbia.

Ed Calcote waits at the net to pounce on a volley during a doubles match.

My Number One Assistant Coach...!

Here's a photo of 'Coach Monica' and Melinda Mcnicoll at the tennis lesson baby shower a few weeks ago..! Monica is enjoying a delicious sno-cone prepared by Jennifer 'sno-wiz' Mcnicoll.

It was such a sweet morning... Thanks again to everyone who participated. (Thanks especially to Melinda for organizing it...) Monica and I were deeply moved to be honored in such a way...!

Well, today is the day...! We are heading to the hospital in a few minutes. The doctor has planned to induce labor starting at 5:30 AM.



The next time I make a photo post it will be of the newest, youngest tennis player in our home school community...

Elijah Arno~Christian Chadwell (Happy Birthday, Elijah...)

Tennis Team Baby Shower

A couple of Fridays ago Monica and I were blessed with a baby shower given by my Friday morning tennis classes. It was such a touching gesture... I was moved to tears several times that morning. Here are a few photos taken of that morning. Thanks to all who attended. And thanks for everyone's prayers and support. Most of all... Thanks for the friendship and the level of care You demonstrate every day...! May God Richly Bless You -Coach Sam





















Melinda McNicoll (background) organized the event. There were treats, drinks, presents, baloons... Even Snowcones...! Yes, this was a first class baby shower...!

Connor and Gracie...

Here's Connor Copeland and Gracie Nagle relaxing after a Saturday morning workout at Columbia Lakes Country Club. Gracie (the dog) didn't really get much of a workout. She was more into the 'relaxing' part....

There are no more Saturday workouts scheduled at Columbia Lakes until August...!