Team Challenge

While the BCTA has implemented entry-level competition in for many years, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) initiated its Team Challenge pilot program as an introduction to competition that focuses on team play and character development. Team Challenge athletes were identified by their respective BCTA coach to compete in one of three divisions: Red Ball (recommended ages 7–10 played on 36-foot courts), Green Ball (recommended ages 11–13), or Yellow Ball (recommended ages 14+). The friendly competition highlighted teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development in a fun, social environment.

For each division in the event, two teams were formed and players created their team name, after which each group vied for medals as well as sportsmanship awards. Team champions and runners-up were determined by total team scores that were accumulated during round-robin matches and special “bonus rounds” of “Team Singles” and “Team Tennis Sandwich,” respectively, in the Green and Red Ball divisions. BCTA coaches and volunteers were on hand to guide players and matches, and a number of parents helped with scorekeeping in the Red and Green Ball divisions.

For more photos, log onto BCTA's Facebook page.

Yellow Ball Teen/Adult Division Teams

Northern/Central Bucks: Aayush Patel, Anastasia Korshun, Emily Ferris, Keri Lewin, Kevin Rockel, Kiran Dolan, Maria Zavyazkina, Michael Guinosso, TylerBrown

Southern Bucks: Amit Joshi, Daria Zhukova, Ethan Flannery, Faith Thompson, Keira Calista, Nunzio DeMarchis, Olivia Orleski, Rylee Russell, Tarun Sanuvala, Vincent Malizia

Yellow Ball Division Results

Gold medal:  Upper/Central Bucks (55 games)

Silver medal: Southern Bucks (56 games)   

Red Ball Division Teams

Northern/Central Bucks Tigers: Beckett Schmidt, Caroline Skaatea, Giuliana Bennett, Keshav Patel, Maura            Kerr, Rosalyn Homa

Southern Bucks Falcons: Caden Zhao, Kevin Feng, Maximus Adams, Noble Jolly, Nora Hammett, Abby Nguyen Avnika Gowda

Red Ball Division Results

Gold medal: Northern/Central Bucks Tigers (238 points)

Silver medal: Southern Bucks Falcons (207 points)

Green Ball Division Teams

Northern/Central Bucks Red Team: Anya Aziz, Asher Schmidt, Brad Schmidt, Charlotte Campagna, Ella Williams, Evaleigh Homa, Jason McFadden, Lucas Munn, Lucia Ficociello, Nathan Clapp, Rosalie Williams, Sumaya Aziz, Violet Friemann, Vivian Campagna

Southern Bucks Black Team: Bruce Marcucci, Chip Caro, Cooper Kelso, Lucas Wambold, Maggie Lin, Maura Mullin, Nancy Lin, Nico Robinson, Sabrina Talke, Saharsh Boddu, Shreyas  Boddu, Teresa Nguyen, Trevor Malizia

Green Ball Division Results

Gold medal: Northern/Central Bucks Red Team (178 points)

Silver medal: Southern Bucks Black Team (159 points)

21st Annual BCTA Jr. Classic

The 21st Annual BCTA Jr. Classic drew experienced tournament players from throughout the tri-state area. This year’s tournament included 58 boys and girls competing in 14- or 16-and-under age divisions. Bob Long, served as Tournament Referee and did a great job of communicating with the young players and keeping the ball rolling.  

Boys’ 14s L6

Champion: Jerry Cheng

Runner-up: Ben Chervoneva

Boys’ 16s L6 Blue

Champion: Rishabh Ramaswamy

Runner-up: Alan Zhang

Boys’ 16s L6 Red

Champion: Spandan Chandra

Runner-up: Ezra Paphael

Girls’ 14s L6

Champion: Caroline Jiao

Runner-up:  Akshaya Peketi

Girls’ 16s L6

Champion: Jaime Poon

Runner-up: Aspen Deems

“This was an especially fun group. It’s great to see players not only develop, but having fun,” said Laura Canfield, BCTA Program Director, who organized the Team Challenge and serves as the Jr. Classic Tournament Director.

Full results and list of athletes and their hometowns are available at on USTA tournament page.

The BCTA offers a sincere thank you to the following: Council Rock School District for making its facility available; the late Frances Rupert and Ellen Hackett for their legacy in sponsoring the Girls’ 16s L6 Memorial Championship Trophy; USTA Middle States for providing the Sportsmanship prizes for the Friday event; and the Sysler family for presenting the  Boys’ 16s championship Dr. Barry Sysler Championships trophies: the Friday night BCTA coaches—Steve Johnson, Craig Batten, Emily Johannan and Tenaz Purdy—and all the volunteers who assisted players with round-robin scoring and with playing tips. Of course, thanks also goes to all the players’ sideline support who appreciated the quality play and sportsmanship.