SPORTS

Professionally ranked Kirkland smokes competition at USTA girls' 18's National Championships

AVAC issues bid to host for 21st time in 2005

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer


The Almaden Valley Athletic Club is weathering a smoldery recovery after hosting the USTA Girls 18's National Championships last week. For the 20th year running, AVAC held the foremost junior tennis tournament in the country on 11 courts ever familiar to Almaden tennis faithful-but the courts may never be the same.

For the first time, girls in professional standing were permitted to compete within their age group at the junior tourney.

After a week of fiery competition, the championship match fell on Aug. 15, pitting an old pro versus young energy. However, 16-year-old Jessica Kirkland, the number-one seed, ranked 252 by the World Tennis Association, ultimately gunned down the 15-year-old 17th seed challenger Andrea Remynse, winning straight sets, 6-1, 6-3.

By winning, Kirkland reserved her slot at the 2004 U.S. Open in September. Each year, the USTA Girls' 18's National Champion is awarded a wild card birth into the U.S. Open, where Kirkland will face the likes of Lindsay Davenport, or sisters Venus and Serena Williams.

Kirkland called the victory the highlight of her year, noting that she was especially grateful to be in the tournament this year because last year she was ineligible.

An unlikely duo, Kirkland hailing from Dayton, Ohio, and Remynse traveling in from Battle Creek, Mich., the girls proved the Midwest knows more than snowmen. Kirkland dazzled, winning every set she played all tournament long, while Remynse orchestrated four consecutive upset victories on her path to the final.

Said tournament publicist Nichole Pitzen: "[Jessica] Kirkland is simply a beautiful player. She has a very solid game and after watching her play all week, I'm not sure what her weaknesses are." Technically, Kirkland demonstrated a strong forehand, prepared early and unleashed with accuracy. She also references a notebook in between changes, seeking reminders and tips as she plays.

"The tournament was a success in lots of ways," said AVAC owner Joe Shank. "It provides money for underprivileged children, over 200 volunteers come out to work supporting the community. And, of course, the young women enjoy it, building lasting relationships while competing at an extremely high level."

"It will always be here," said Shank, "for as long as Jen [Pitzen] and Andrea [Norman] are willing to run it." Pitzen and Norman served as tournament directors this year, co-founding the National Tennis Championships [NTC], a nonprofit organization that has donated over $33,000 to the After School All-Stars of the greater San Jose area. The organization hopes to push that number over $40,000 by the end of the year.

With over 200 volunteers locally, the USTA is the only tournament of its magnitude run entirely on volunteer basis.

"This year we saw more players of higher quality than ever before," continued Shank. Yet, one other aspect stood out to him in particular. "It was very special that underprivileged youths were able to come and meet the players and watch them play. The players were able to say something to the youngsters. It's unique to come out, get education and take away T-shirt with autographs."

The tournament hosted more than 60 underprivileged kids on an afternoon designated 'Kids Day' last week. Finished Shank: "The rally sets it apart, getting community involved with community."

Next Pitzen and Norman are headed to New York City where they will bid for AVAC's right to host the tournament again next year.

In the meantime, tourney champion Jessica Kirkland will spend a month sharpening her skills in Florida before stepping into the U.S. Open.

For more information please visit http://www.ustagirls.org.

COMING SOON TO SAN JOSE

Mose Timoteo, scrum half for the U.S.A. Eagles national team, is accustomed to winning, having earned Most Valuable Player honors in leading the Pacific Coast Grizzlies to the National Collegiate All-Star Championship in 1998 and has been a major part of the Grizzlies’ Club Men’s All-Stars ever since, winning the national championship in both 2002 and 2003. Timoteo, 28, born in American Samoa, is shown passing the against Australia in the USA International 7s in Carson last February, will trying to lead the Pacific Coast to a third straight title when the 21st annual U.S.A. All-Star 7-Aside Championships are held at Watson Bowl in San Jose Aug. 28-29.

The event features 40 knock-down-play-on 14-minute games in 12 hours over days with seven territorial teams for both men and women plus the All-Military men and the National Under-23 women. Action will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $5 per day or $7.50 for two days. For more information, go online at www.sjrugby.org, www.usarugby.org or call (408) 267-7117.

—By Karl Laucher

AVAC hosts world-class tennis athletes
USTA National Hardcourt Female Tennis Championships come to Almaden for 20th—and running

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer 

It’s not everyday that tennis hub Almaden Valley Athletic Club fills with lady stars of tomorrow in the USTA National Hardcourt Female Tennis Championships—it is, however, every August, and for this week only, each day. What began Aug. 8, as the annual ‘it’ predominantly amateur competition, has heated to a boil since, pitting champion upon champion with the winner ultimately gaining a berth in the U.S. Open. And for the 20th year running, Almaden’s AVAC is playing host. 

“For 20 years AVAC has been honored to host the USTA National Championships,” said AVAC owner Joe Shank. “The tournament has set the standard for junior tennis around the country as top-ranked girls have come from all over the world to compete for a wildcard into the U.S .Open.” 

Notable alumni include 1991 Champion Lindsay Davenport (currently ranked #4 in the world), 1990 Champion Lisa Raymond (currently ranked #27), 1989 Champion Jennifer Capriati (currently ranked #6) and, most recently, 1998 and 1999 Champion Laura Granville (currently ranked #54). 

However, the USTA’s class of 2004 constitutes a new and diverse range in both talent and experience. Players hailing from as far as Massachusetts and Florida celebrate manifest destiny stepping onto the courts at AVAC, while many locals will vie for the title as well. 

“The tournament has been innovative from the start, providing many amenities, unique awards and helpful lectures—all benefiting the players in a well-orchestrated week of play,” continued Shank. 

One such program is the USTA’s annual college forum, where coaches from around the country come to speak with the players in close setting. On Saturday, Aug 7, approximately 50 college-level coaches provided student athletes the opportunity to learn about different schools’ sports programs and scholarship opportunities. In attendance were coaches from Ohio State University, University of Indiana, West Point and Yale, amongst others. The meet and greet, question/answer session also allows coaches the opportunity to meet potential recruits before viewing their skills on the court during tournament play. 

Favorites include Florida’s Kyrsty Marcio, currently ranked #48 internationally, Inna Agababian and Elizabeth Plotkin of San Francisco, currently ranked #82 internationally and Massachusetts’ Mary Gambale, who is currently ranked #56 internationally. 

Locals Jennifer Lu, Carmen Serementa and Tiffany Lee of Cupertino, Robin Guier of Alamo, and Carmen Serementa of San Jose also hope to rush destiny securing an early visit to the U.S. Open. Each is currently ranked in the top 200 nationally.

Yet, players’ paints just start the picture. Behind scenes, more than 150 volunteers have contributed countless hours of work and support in arranging the event. The tournament, whose proceeds go to the San Jose chapter of After-School All-Stars, has apparently raised more than $33,000, donated toward the charity over the last five years to provide free tennis lessons for San Jose youths. Sponsors include AVAC, KICU-TV Channel 36, Pruneyard Inn, Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club, Togo’s Eatery, Pacific Diversified Company Inc., Tennis Anywhere, Wilson Racquet Sports, Bloomster’s, Norman Family Foundation, Malibu Grill, Inside Tennis, AVIS, American Airlines, Noah’s Bagels and San Jose’s Vice Mayor Pat Dando. 

“We’re honored to celebrate our 20-year association with the USTA National Championships,” finished AVAC owner Shank, whose club has maintained the title of host thanks, in part, to resort-style facilities including a 1,500 square-foot ChildCare center. AVAC also hosts numerous tennis programs on 11 lighted courts year round. 

Play runs daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., scheduled to continue through the finals on Sunday, Aug. 15. Admission is free and open to the public.

Hoop dreams

Dreams come true for Almaden father and son at fantasy camp

Almaden’s Mike Janes and his son just returned from a trip back East to fulfill a lifelong dream: they attended the Duke Basketball Fantasy Camp.

Six national collegiate players of the year—Johnny Dawkins, Danny Ferry (San Antonio Spurs front office), Grant Hill (Orlando Magic), Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Jason Williams—headlined a group of former Blue Devils to act as coaches at the second annual K Academy held July 29-Aug. 1 in Durham, N.C. The 2004 basketball fantasy camp also marked the return of 19 former Duke players to serve as team coaches.

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski oversaw the festivities with insights into the most successful basketball program in college basketball over the past 20 years. “It was especially great with Coach K staying at Duke and turning down the Laker’s huge offer,” said Janes.

The academy offered team-building techniques and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the ultimate Duke basketball fan. Every camper spent four days in historic Cameron where they went from opening day tryouts to Sunday’s championship tournament. Along the way, the campers played games on Coach K Court in Cameron and learned the inside scoop on Duke’s three-time national championship program.

Along for the trip was Mike’s wife Bobbi and daughter Randi. “We had a great time in Durham,” said Mike. “I was on “team Battier” and we won the championship in the “Final Four” last day tournament.”

“But the best part,” said Mike, “was I didn’t get hurt!”

Almaden’s Mike Janes and his son Dave pose with Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski at the 2004 Duke Basketball Fantasy Camp. Photo by Darby Nichols