Tag: Tennis

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Mid-Atlantic finishes in top 4 during week 2 of League National Championships

Results are in from week two of the USTA League National Championships. Three teams from the Mid-Atlantic finished in the top four!

Mid-Atlantic’s 40 & Over 4.0 Women’s and Men’s Team earned a spot in the top four  at the National Championships held this past weekend at Scottsdale Ranch Park Tennis Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Women’s 3.0 team also secured fourth during the 40 & Over Women’s 3.0 National League Championships at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California. 

DC Charles placed fourth after losing to Middle States, 2-3 during the consolation playoff.

Photo by Mark Dancho

Captain Sharif Charles led the team that included Murugavel Chengavarayan, Brad Ziajor, Sumeet Chawla, Christopher Lee, Phi-Long Nguyen-Thanh, Jonathan Kim, Justin Dorsk, Gavin Luter, James Atto, Jose Miguel Sacin, WJ Peterson, Tony Steward, Quinn Fiscus, Chip Hathaway, Aaron Blackmon, Juan Jose Tijero, Jorge Gastelumendi, and Senthil Kumar Seetharaman. 

DC Colbert also placed fourth after losing to SoCal 2-3. Earlier in the day, they lost their first playoff match to Southern, 2-3. 

October 19, 2025 – The Mid-Atlantic section came in fourth place in the Adult 40 & Over 4.0 League National Championship at the Scottsdale Ranch Park and Tennis Center in Scottsdale, AZ.

Captain Felica Colbert led the team that included Carolina Posada, Allyson McMahon, Elizabeth Solander, Kristin Quackenbush, Kasey Kinney, Aileen Jones, Mary Papadopulos, Andrea Gevas, Shadana Myers, Sonia Valdes, Kanika Sabor, Liz Christensen, Lisa Roy, Yoland Alexander, Susan Lapetina, Cecilia Jones, Jemine Bryon, and Denise Freeman. 

Loudoun-Anderson also secured fourth place after losing their consolation playoff 2-3 to Caribbean. 

Co-Captains Katie Anderson and Cristina Tallent led the team. The roster included Katie Anderson, Melanie Watermeyer, Ayce Bukulmeyen Ozerdem, Tammy Schulman, Brooke Potthast, Melissa Moore, Kelly Overman, Nicole Rosser, Alison Shipman, Sharon Parbs, Jessica Turgon, Kerri Thomas, Amy Heffernan, Nicholina Ferramosca, Lara Ramsey, and Cristina Tallent.

Congratulations to NOVA on a fantastic run at this year’s National Championships! We’re proud of all the Mid-Atlantic teams who competed and gave it their all.

Mid-Atlantic Results from Week 2: 

Adult 40 & Over

4.0M – DC-Charles placed fourth out of 17 teams. 

4.0W – DC-Colbert placed fourth out of 17 teams.

3.0M – Richmond-Lemco placed seventh out of 16 teams.

3.0W – Loudoun-Anderson placed fourth out of  17 teams.

Adult 18 & Over

4.5M – Richmond-Godsey placed 12 out of 16 teams. 

4.5W – Montgomery-Feldman placed fifth out of 14 teams.

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

Mid-Atlantic's NOVA Zhang team finishes second at the USTA League 18&Over 3.5 Women's National Championships.

Mid-Atlantic finishes second in week one of League National Championships

Mid-Atlantic's NOVA Zhang team finishes second at the USTA League 18&Over 3.5 Women's National Championships.
October 12, 2025 – (left to right) Xiaozhen Lin, Menglun Qin, Qun Bi, Amy Mao, Yuan Zhang, Wen Jiang, Sierra Dung, and Anna Chen of the Mid-Atlantic section came in second place in the Adult 18 & Over 3.5 League National Championship at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Center in Surprise, Arizona.

Results are in from week one of the USTA League National Championships, and USTA Mid-Atlantic is off to a great start!

Mid-Atlantic’s NOVA 18 & Over 3.5 Women’s Team earned a runner-up finish at the National Championships, falling to Texas 2-3 in the final match at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona. Earlier that day, the team secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Midwest to advance to the championship round.

Captain Yuan Zhang and Co-Captain Yuqing Xiong led the team. The roster included Wen Juang, Sherra Dung, Na Yu, Chao Wang, Zijing Ye, Qun Bi, Anna Chen, Shelley Que, Xiaozhen Lin, Menglun Qin, Xuan Du, Wei Chen, and Amy Mao.

Congratulations to NOVA on a fantastic run at this year’s National Championships! We’re proud of all the Mid-Atlantic teams who competed and gave it their all on court.

Mid-Atlantic Results from Week 1: 

5.0M: Richmond-Godsey placed eighth out of 15 teams.

5.0W – DC-Jakubik placed fifth out of 11 teams.

4.0W – Montgomery-Wang placed fifth out of 17 teams.

3.5W – NOVA-Zhang placed second out of 17 teams.

2.5W – Richmond-Christian placed fifth out of 17 teams.

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

League Nationals Bound: Mid-Atlantic Teams Hit the Road

The USTA League National Championships season is officially here, and teams from across the Mid-Atlantic are ready to compete! These championships mark the culmination of months of dedication, teamwork, and hard-fought victories. After pushing through local leagues, Regional, and finally winning at Sectionals, 42 Mid-Atlantic teams have earned their spots at Nationals in Arizona, Florida, and California.

Every team attending League Nationals has its own story of commitment, resilience, and connection. These bonds have been their foundation, helping them achieve success and making their journey to Nationals even more meaningful. As these teams prepare to represent the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, we know they’ll bring honor, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

Scroll down to see the Mid-Atlantic teams heading to USTA League Nationals. We are #MidAtlanticProud!

USTA League Nationals begin October 10-12, and will continue each weekend until November 9. To stay up to date on Mid-Atlantic teams competing at League Nationals, make sure to subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Discover our impact in the region and learn how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates  community, character, and well-being.

Adult 18 & Over

2.5 Women – Richmond

Captain – Michelle Christian

3.0 Men – NOVA

Captain – Jesse Cebulash

3.0 Women – Loudoun

Captain – Melanie Skinner

3.5 Women – NOVA

Captain – Yuan Zhang

3.5 Men – Richmond

Captain – Frank Payne

4.0 Men – Richmond

Captain – Jeff Richman

4.0 Women – Montgomery

Captain – Lucy Wang

4.5 Men – Richmond

Captain – Rick Godsey

4.5 Women – Montgomery

Captain – Simone Feldman

5.0 Men – Richmond

Captain – Rick Godsey

5.0 Women – DC

Captain – Tara Jakubik

Adult 40 & Over

3.0 Women – Loudoun

Captain – Katie Anderson

3.0 Men – Richmond

Captain – Lonnie Lemco

3.5 Women – Howard

Captain – Ceci Phan

3.5 Men – NOVA

Captain – Stephen Dupuy

4.0 Women – DC

Captain – Flecia Colbert

4.0 Men – DC

Captain – Sharif Charles

4.5 Men – Montgomery

Captain – Reggie Tull

4.5 Women – Anne Arundel

Captain – Roselle Nicholson

Adult 55 & Over

6.0 Men – Montgomery

Captain – Richard McKeon

6.0 Women – NOVA

Captain – Lisa Furgal

7.0 Men – Montgomery

Captain – Zhuang Miao

7.0 Women – Montgomery

Captain – Shirin Ahmed

8.0 Men – Howard

Captain – Tim Munshell

8.0 Women – Anne Arundel

Captain – Janette Logan

9.0 Women – Hampton Roads

Captain – Laura Stone

9.0 Men – Montgomery

Captain – Sam Lieber

Mixed 18 & Over

6.0 Mixed – NOVA

Captain – Kai Yu

7.0 Mixed – Frederick

Captain – Sandy Thongphok

8.0 Mixed – Prince Georges

Captain  – Victor Sanchez

9.0 Mixed – Richmond 

Captain – Christian Chandler

Mixed 40 & Over

6.0 Mixed – NOVA

Captain – Kai Yu

7.0 Mixed – Montgomery

Captain – Lydia Juh

8.0 Mixed – Montgomery

Captain – Jessica Lee

9.0 Mixed – Montgomery

Captain – Jessica Lee

Boy preparing to hit a tennis serve.

Serving Up Familia: How One Family Found Joy and Community in Tennis

When the Ramirez family hits the tennis courts, it is more than a match. It is familia in motion. What started as a casual family pastime has evolved into a joyful way of life, reflecting how tennis is fostering connections within the Hispanic community across the Mid-Atlantic.

It began when Nathan, now 9, spotted a U.S. Open match on TV. He was just 3 but mesmerized by the movement and energy. Pointing to the screen in his then-toddler voice, he told his dad, Enrique, “That,” and asked if they could play tennis together. For Enrique, who grew up playing tennis and loved the quiet mental game of the sport, it was a special moment. He never imagined his young son would share that passion so early. Soon, the two were rallying in the driveway and finding a coach.

Not long after, Nathan’s younger sister Lily, now 8, joined in, inspired by her brother’s excitement. Their toddler sister, Olivia, 3, is already following in their footsteps in her own way, carrying tennis balls and trying to swing a racquet whenever she can. The family quickly discovered that tennis was not just an activity. It became a shared rhythm of weekends on the courts, lessons, and backyard practices that drew them closer together.

“Familia to me means unity, celebrating little milestones, and supporting each other through challenges,” said Nathan’s mom, Jenny Lopez-Ramirez. Jenny, who grew up in a family devoted to soccer, said tennis has introduced something new and powerful to their lives. “For me, it is about what I like to call breaking the stereotype,” she said. “I grew up in a family that was very big on soccer; we still have soccer in our bloodline. And so my husband grew up playing tennis, and when we brought tennis within our family and shared the sport with our children, it brought not just our immediate family together, but our extended family closer as well”.

For Nathan, tennis is as much about character as competition. “Tennis means emotions,” he said. “The happiness of winning, the anger of losing, and the challenge of trying again”. He said his goal is to be No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic. Even while rehabbing an ankle injury, he stays determined. “Keep practicing and reach your goal of trying to be good at tennis,” he said.

That same drive and excitement has inspired his younger sister to develop her own love for the game. Lily said what she likes best about tennis is playing matches, especially singles. When asked about her favorite pro, she answered quickly: “Coco Gauff.” She added that her favorite shot is her forehand and that she has already made seven new tennis friends.

Both Jenny and Enrique said they see how tennis builds resilience and leadership. “It is a sport that teaches self-motivation,” said Jennifer. “Win or lose, it is up to you, but you have your family cheering every step of the way”. Enrique added that tennis provides lessons that children can carry with them for life. “Go for it,” he said. “It can be a lifelong sport”.

The Ramirez story reflects a broader trend. According to the 2025 USTA Tennis Participation Report, 18% of tennis players in the U.S. identify as Hispanic or Latino, a figure that continues to climb. In the Mid-Atlantic, participation reached 1.5 million players in 2024, a 14% year-over-year increase and a record-high participation rate of 9.6%, which is above the national average. Programs such as USTA Mid-Atlantic’s Girls Rule the Court™ and tennis-in-PE initiatives in schools across the region are making it easier for students and families to discover and enjoy the sport.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, the Ramirez family offers a reminder that tennis is more than a game. It is a way to honor familia, celebrate culture, and create connections that last for generations.

Ready to create your own family tennis story?

Explore USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation youth programs that nurture young players, as well as adult opportunities that keep the whole family active. Visit our website to find programs for every age and skill level.

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

Five ways to play tennis while attending college

Are you a college student looking for an activity that will take your mind off your studies?  Where you inspired by clips for tennis players on social media and decided you need to hit the tennis courts? Are you a former high school tennis player looking to get back on the court, but you’re not sure how to get started?

You’ve come to the right place! USTA Mid-Atlantic. Whether you are an experienced player or new to the game, we’re here to help you on your tennis journey! Check out our top tips for enjoying tennis during your college years. 

1. Club Tennis

Howard University Club Tennis Team

Many colleges offer student-run, social club tennis programs that strike a balance between fun and competition. Club tennis provides you with the opportunity to practice regularly, compete against other schools, and connect with new friends who share your passion for the sport.

For those looking for a more competitive experience, USTA Tennis on Campus (TOC) is a national intercollegiate league where club teams compete against one another for the chance to advance to the National Championship.  Visit the Tennis on Campus website to learn more. 

2. USTA Leagues

2025 USTA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships MD/DC 4.5M Flight Winners

Another option is to play outside your college community with USTA Leagues. USTA Leagues provide players ages 18 and older with team play based on NTRP level. Several leagues provide teams with the opportunity to advance to the USTA League National Championships and compete against the top teams nationwide. Visit our league page to learn more. 

3. USTA Tournaments

Club tennis player from Virginia Tech hitting a backhand return in a 2024 tournament.

If you are looking for more tournament-style play,  consider registering for USTA-Sanctioned Tournaments. Tournaments typically offer both singles and doubles based on age or NTRP level. Additionally, you can earn ranking points for the chance to compete in the NTRP National Championships! Visit our tournament page to learn more.

4. USTA Flex Leagues

Female tennis player preparing to return a serve.

If you want complete flexibility in playing matches, USTA Flex Leagues are for you! It’s a level-based round-robin play format that offers people a chance to play multiple matches per season. The best part is that you and your opponents decide when and where to play as long as you finish your matches before the season ends. Currently, Flex Leagues are primarily offered in a singles format; for more information, please visit our Flex League page. 

5. Join a Clinic or Local Program

Group of people attending a tennis clinic/workshop.

If you are new to tennis and want to learn the basics, or if you want to elevate your game to the next level, consider taking a tennis class at your school or local tennis provider near you. Providers we support in the Mid-Atlantic are certified instructors with a deep passion for the game and helping players improve their game. Check with your college’s Complete this sentence

Check out the list of programs in the Mid-Atlantic here.

Bonus: Grab a Racquet and Just Play

College age doubles team playing tennis

Sometimes, getting on court with a racquet, ball, and friend is the best way. Most colleges and universities have courts available for student use, and if not, there are plenty of public tennis courts across the Mid-Atlantic. Grab a friend, a few balls, and just have fun.. Whether you’re playing a full match or casually rallying, tennis is about having fun, staying active, and enjoying the game.

You don’t need to compete at the highest level to enjoy tennis in college. Whether you are brand-new to tennis or a former high-level tennis player, The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is here to help guide you at whatever stage you are in your college tennis journey. 

We encourage you to sign up for a free USTA Basic Account for access to a wide range of resources on the USTA website. You can also visit ustamidatlanticfoundation.org for more information and resources related to tennis in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and parts of West Virginia.

Want to learn more? Fill out this form, and let’s help you find your way to play.

Follow @ustamidatlantic, on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being. Make an impact beyond the net and donate today.