News and Announcements

KCUT players compete well at Missouri Valley Sectional tournaments in January

1/25/2010  A Neilson

Congratulations to Jackson Bean and many other KC United Tennis Academy players during the month of January at sectional tournaments in the Missouri Valley. Jackson won the Segment I Futures Tournament in the B16's in Joplin, MO on January 17th. His dominating groundstrokes, serves, and aggressive net play earned him his first Missouri Valley Tournament title since the 12 & unders. His hard work and perseverance over the past few months paid off in impressive fashion. Part time trainee Olivia Sneed of Wellington, Kansas took the 18's age group title in Lawrence, Kansas the same weekend. Despite only being 13 years old, Olivia mowed through the field of older girls to take the tournament victory. This event follows an impressive showing last month at the Junior Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida where she won 5 rounds to finish in the top 32 of the best girls in the world in the 14 & under age group. Coach Elliott McDermed was there with her to witness some unbelievable tennis competition. McDermed said of Ms. Sneed's performance, "In my opinion, Olivia is currently one of the top players in the world for her age. She has a bright future at whatever level of tennis she chooses to pursue."

The Missouri Valley Super tournaments were a huge success for KCUT players as well. On Sunday January 24th the academy had over 8 players battling for a top 4 finish. Notables were Olivia Sneed winning the G14's in her usual dominating style by beating her next closest competitor Brooke Austin 6-0, 6-1. Ross Guignon B16's, Justin Leslie B12's, and Madison Rhyner G16's were all finalist. Travis Neilson (4th), Teddy Fitzgibbons (3rd), and Hunter Whalen (4th) represented KCUT with pride as they battled their way to the semifinals.

Another interesting fact of the weekend was that KC United had its largest number of players qualify for the Supers that it has ever had. Congratulations to some great competitors around the Mo Valley that continue to strive to reach their tennis goals!