By Kay Harris, The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA — Teams from Valdosta distinguished themselves on the tennis courts this weekend, as two volleyed their way into state championship titles.
Three teams from Valdosta competed Nov. 13-15 at the Peachtree City Tennis Center in Peachtree City in the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Combo Doubles State Championships. All three teams advanced to the quarterfinals, with two of the teams winning state titles in the Men’s 6.5 Division and the Senior Men’s 7.5 Division.
Hundreds of doubles teams from around the state competed in the weekend tournament, from cities including Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Columbus and Valdosta. The winning state championship teams qualified to rise to the next level of amateur tennis, the Sectionals, which will be held in Mobile, Ala. in January.
Men’s 6.5 Team Captain Tom Gonzalez said, “We started putting this team together approximately four years ago, and we still have the same players. Our whole team is a plethora of personalities and ethnic backgrounds, and we are unusual in that we are all self-taught. None of us played in college or were trained. We gained our experience from playing against each other.”
Gonzalez said the team is so diverse, it throws off their opponents at times, due to the differences in playing styles.
The team also won the state championship in 2006.
“One of the things that makes us stand out is our dedication to the team. No one has strayed away. We’ve stuck together through injuries, etc. and we practice together.”
According to Gonzalez, it was unique for not just one, but two teams to win championships from a town the size of Valdosta.
The teams practice at the McKey Park tennis courts, and once the new tennis courts are built at McKey, they’ll have an exceptional place to play, according to Gonzalez. The two state championship banners will be hung at the courts when construction is complete.
Eric Hahn, executive director of Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation, said the Tennis Valdosta teams are not sponsored by the Authority, but do represent the program, and the Authority assists in supporting the local tennis teams.
Hahn says Valdosta has a thriving and growing tennis community, which necessitates making the additions and renovations to the McKey Park Tennis Center.
“By increasing from eight to 12 courts and upgrading the lighting, we will be able to host tournaments that right now would be unlikely for us to get, or that we do not qualify for, due to the number of courts necessary for certain tournaments,” Hahn said.
“The project, in a nutshell, will increase the number of courts, upgrade the level of lighting considerably and build a new tennis center with an office, pro shop, new restrooms, a vending area, storage and a covered viewing area for spectators.”
Hahn said the $1.2 million project has been awarded to Cauthan Construction Company, and is scheduled for completion in 2010.
