Meredith College Masters Showcase
2008 Meredith College Masters Showcase
The Second Annual Meredith Masters Showcase yet again brought out quality players in the Triangle area for an exciting weekend of tennis. This year’s event consisted only of mixed doubles and had players who formerly played at colleges and universities such as UNC, Stanford, Virginia, Dartmouth, Furman, Methodist, St. Bonaventure and East Tennessee.
After both finalist teams endured grueling semifinal matches in the 102 degree heat, both teams opted to play an eight game pro-set for the finals. Kristen James (UVA) and Jon Janda (UNC) defeated Kelly Weaver (UVA) and Will Plyler (UNC) 8-3. In semifinal play, James and Janda defeated Dawn Granger (St. Boneventure) and Glen Kitner (Methodist) 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the finals, while Weaver and Plyler defeated Rebecca Dirksen (Dartmouth) and Kyle Baker (UNC) 2-6, 6-3 (10-8).
First round matches on Friday were followed by a cookout where all players came together for great food and to either reconnect with friends or create new friendships within the tennis community. Once again the Meredith Masters Showcase provided a venue for those former collegiate players craving to take to the courts for great competition and a social weekend of tennis.
2008 Participants
Kelly Weaver (UVA) & Will Plyler (UNC)
Dawn Granger (St. Boneventure) & Glen Kitner (Methodist)
Petra Bowery & Craig Lupton-Smith (East Tennessee State)
Rebecca Dirksen (Dartmouth) & Brian Kalbas
Kristen James (UVA) & Jon Janda (UNC)
Megan Dunigan (Furman) & Jon Navarro (Furman)
Fiona Degnan & Ryan Degnan
Jen Heiser (Stanford) & Cezar Vargas (Nebraska)
Details of the event
This tournament is designed to provide
a venue for former and current collegiate
players to get back out on the court. We
plan on having many different schools
represented, from ACC schools such as
UVA, UNC and NCSU, as well as other
schools throughout the country!
Like last year, this year’s event will be
played at Meredith College on our newly
resurfaced courts. Meredith’s facility
boasts six outdoor lighted courts with a
USTA color scheme.
Match play will begin on Friday, June
6th and conclude Sunday, June 8th.
Times will depend on the number of
participants and will be announced as
soon as possible.
All participants are invited to attend a cookout by the courts on Friday, June 6th at 7pm. This is included in your registration fee and is a great way to meet other accomplished players in the area.
Everyone is guaranteed at least two matches in both singles and mixed doubles. The format for both events will be best two out of three sets, with a 10 point super-tiebreaker as a third set. This is in an effort to keep things moving along smoothly and save some energy. We will have visors for sale on site. If you are interested please bring extra cash so you can bring home a memento of this great event.
Trophies will be provided for first and second place finishers in both Singles and Mixed Doubles.
Let’s get ready for a great weekend of tennis!
2007 Meredith College Masters Showcase
This
year’s First Annual Meredith Masters Showcase was a great success,
bringing former and current high level college players out to the courts
at Meredith for a weekend of high level competition. After a full weekend
of singles play, Kris McGrath (Kansas) defeated Jennifer Heiser (Stanford)
6-0, 1-6, (10-7) in the finals to secure the championship. In mixed doubles
competition, Kelly Weaver (Virginia) and Geoff Boyd (UNC) prevailed over
Kristen James (Virginia) and John Haywood (Williams) 6-0, 6-1 in the mixed
doubles final.
This year’s event had players representing numerous different institutions
throughout the country, such as Stanford, Virginia, UNC, Arizona State,
Kansas, Kansas State, Furman, Dartmouth, Davidson, Williams, Barton and
Tennessee State. Besides providing a weekend of elite tennis to the Triangle
area, the Meredith Masters Showcase created a social atmosphere where players
could reconnect with old friends and create new friendships throughout the
tennis community. Many players commented on how refreshing and fun it was
to get back out on the court after years away from competition, and how
a forum such as this is needed and will continue to grow in the future.
As Geoff Boyd stated, “it was a great experience getting back in the
competitive atmosphere again.” From the smiles of the faces of players,
both those that won and lost, it was apparent that this event is here to
stay.
