Odell Weeks Tennis Center Adding Four Courts, New Professional
Work is still progressing throughout he spring and into the summer on
adding four additional tennis courts at the Odell Weeks Tennis Center
in Aiken. The upgrades will bring the parks capacity to 20 courts - 10
clay and 10 hard. In addition, the city added Fernando Guevara to
their professional staff in May. Guevara who is originally a native of
Colombia, will serve as an assistant professional at the center. He
played his college tennis at USC-Aiken.
South Aiken High School Tennis
South Aiken High's boys tennis team finished the spring season with an
11-6 mark and finished sixth in the final AAAA poll. The Thoroughbreds
defeated Easley in the first round of the playoffs before losing a 4-2
decision to Spartanburg. Jonathan Dingle played number one singles
throughout the year and was named to the all-region team. Ryan Freed
was named team MVP after posting a stellar record at number four
singles throughout the year. Cam Nixon was the recipient of the most
improved award after receiving little playing time in 2007 and playing
#2 and #3 in 2008. Mitchell Fanning received the team's Thoroughbred
Award for his outstanding contributions to the program.
More High School Tennis...
Both Barnwell and Williston-Elko made it to the A-AA Tennis Playoffs
this spring. Barnwell lost a first round match with Academic Magnet,
while Williston Elko lost a first round contest with Bishop England.
Both teams were represented in the state individual tournament, with
Will Alexander qualifying for Barnwell and Cody Kelly for WillistonElko.
Aiken High School finished fourth in their region and qualified for the
AAAA playoffs, where the Hornets lost to Greenwood in the first round.
AIken was lead this spring by number one player Michael Fuller and
second singles player Alex Poda.
Woodside Plantation Pro-Am
Woodside Plantation held its annual Pro-Am the first weekend in May.
Several pros from around the state made their way to Aiken for a great
weekend of round robin play with various levels of members at the club.
Social activities included an outstanding Friday evening dinner at he
club and a great barbecue dinner at the home of David and Vicky
Hudson. The weekend wrapped with pros from around the state competing
for $4,000 in prize money, which was one by Tom Eklund and Yevgeny
Supeko of Columbia.
Fermata Club Names Nick Lombardo To Staff
The Fermata Swim and Tennis Club in Aiken recently named Nick Lombardo
as their tennis professional. Lombardo had recently been on the staff
at Houndslake Country Club in Aiken. Originally a native of Argentina,
he played his college tennis at USC-Aiken.
Percival Caps Stellar College Career At West Virginia
Stacey Percival of Aiken finished his tennis career at West Virginia by
playing #1 singles during her senior year. The Mountaineers finished
the year in tenth place in the Big East Conference. Stacey now hopes
to begin work on her graduate degree in elementary education.
SC State Tennis Teams Continue Winning Ways
Both the men's and women's teams at South Carolina State had successful
spring campaigns. The women won their fourth consecutive title MEAC as
they advanced to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first round to
North Carolina. The men's team won their fourth MEAC title in five
years as they also advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The men's team
also lost a first round encounter with North Carolina. Coach Hardeep
Judge's teams have quietly become the top program in the MEAC and they
continue to make strides on a national level. The City of Orangeburg
recognized both squads on May 6th, proclaiming the day Bulldog Tennis
Day in Orangeburg.