Figure 1 - W3.5 Team at Sectionals

Figure 2 - 18W3.5 after league championship win

Richmond Tennis Association (RTA) Women's team wins East Bay League Championship and goes to the post-season tournament

After a very successful season with a 6-1 record against teams from Alameda and Oakland, RTA’s age 18+ 3.5W team, captained by Stacie Maa, Angie Koontz, and Jon Sutinen, clinched the league playoff win to advance to the USTA sectionals tournament at Broadstone Sports Club in Folsom, California. RTA went head-to-head against Boyle Park of Mill Valley, South Reno, and the Broadstone home team. On Friday, July 30, RTA defeated Boyle Park 4-1. The heat was intense, with temperature in the mid-90s, and sapped the energy of all players. 

On Saturday morning, with temperatures in the 80s, RTA faced off against the undefeated team from Broadstone, with our singles players bringing home the win in their individual matches, and Alison Ferrer breaking the undefeated record of our opponent’s strongest singles player. Our three lines of doubles bravely battled for every point but just couldn’t pull off the wins, resulting in a 2-3 team loss. Not much separated RTA from the strongest team in our section (Broadstone), but the team loss pushed us out of contention for the semifinals and the RTA team was unable to advance, despite defeating South Reno 3-2 later Saturday afternoon. 

The RTA ladies brought their team spirit, fought hard, and gave it their all despite the bad air quality over the weekend and the exceptionally hot temperature (upper 90’s into the 100’s!). Thankfully, no injuries occurred but some of our players did experience signs of heat exhaustion. This team is dedicated and passionate about tennis and was proud to represent Richmond and RTA at the Sectional Championships. 

Players on the RTA team include Lynne Ching, Alison Ferrer, Rochelle Guiam, Shauna Hannan, Elizabeth Ann Haslep, Mizue Kato, Angie Koontz, Sydnie Koontz, Diane Li, Christy Li, Brisa Lowry, Stacie Maa, Fely Mariuzza, Cindy Mark, April Nguyen, Kim Sakaue, Flor Salinas, Kim Shaw, and Mindy Williams.


 
Jon Sutinen
Richmond Tennis Association of Northern California
(510) 965-5945

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Garry Hurlbut
President and Executive Director
Richmond Tennis Association (RTA)
510-547-8111

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