Can players double up for singles and doubles?

Yes!  Matches will be scheduled such that the # 1 and # 3 positions can double up. For instance, at 8:00 am #1 Singles, #2 Singles, #3 Singles and #2 Doubles will go on court; at 9:30, #1 Doubles and #3 Doubles will go on court. Thus, the #1 Singles player could play #1 Doubles, and #3 Singles player could also play #3 Doubles. This will not be possible at the #2 spots, which will be scheduled at the same time. 

However, no player can play more than four (4) matches in a single day, as per the USTA Regulation II.D (Friend at Court, page 108). 

Are there any other restrictions about player rosters?

All players who will advance to state with their team MUST be listed on the Region Roster – no additions are permitted between Region and State. Each player at the State tournament must have at least one (1) region match on his/her record; this match cannot be a default.  Within a single round of play, no #1 Singles player may play #3 Doubles.   

What will be the draw size and type?

Each Regional will be a 16-draw, with the top two teams advancing to state, which will also be a 16-draw. 

We will play a consolation round, with all first round losers playing a separate consolation bracket. This ensures that every team will have at least two matches.  

Weather permitting, we will play two rounds of the main draw and one round of the consolation draw on Saturday.  On Sunday, we will play the remaining two rounds of the main draw and three rounds of the consolation draw. 

Do both the boys and girls team from my school play together?

Both may enter the tournament, but they are considered totally separate teams at this event. Each regional will accept 16 boys teams and 16 girls teams, not necessarily all from the same school. 

Why can’t our school coach be our coach for this tournament?

Both GISA and GHSA have very explicit rules about teams and coaches, and to do so would violate those rules. We intend for this to be a parent and player-driven opportunity to earn USTA Georgia points while playing in a team environment, and to induce some strong players who may not yet be playing with their high school teammates to do so. 

What will the coach have to do?

The coach can be a parent, a local pro, or other tennis enthusiast at your school.  He or she will send in the entry fee (and collect it back from each of the players), send in the rosters, arrange any local practices, coordinate travel arrangements to the Regional and State events, attend a coaches/captains meeting the morning of the tournament.  In general, he or she will act as the “team mom” in a fashion much like a Junior Team Tennis captain. 

How do the team points add up?

            Each singles win (Flights A, B, or C) earns 2 points for your team.
            Each doubles win (all Flights) earns 1 point for your team.
            Thus, a total of 9 points per match are at stake. 

Questions about the individual play
 

How will these points work?

There will be three flights of play:

# 1 Singles & # 1 Doubles = A flight = Level 3 points
# 2 Singles & # 2 Doubles = B flight = Level 4 points
# 3 Singles & # 3 Doubles = C flight = Level 4 points.

See the point table below for clarification.

During the team play, each player will accrue points based on his/her actual wins in any round. Whenever the team is eliminated from further competition, so too are any individuals, regardless of their individual win status. 

Example:  Susie is playing #1 Singles (A Flight) for her team, the Cougars. She wins both matches on Saturday. The Cougars, however, do not win their second match, and thus are eliminated from the tournament.  Susie will earn 150 points for the tournament (A Flight = Level 3, reached the QF) 

Example:  Jeffrey is playing #3 Singles (C Flight) for his team, the Mavericks. He wins two matches on Saturday, and his team wins both matches as well. On the second day, he wins one matches, but loses in the finals. He earns 140 points for the tournament.  (C Flight = Level 4, reached the SF).SF).


Main Draw Tournament Points Per Round Including First Match Losers Consolation (2008)

What’s in it for me?

A strong player on a strong team is sitting in a unique position, with an opportunity to earn up to 330 points at the Regional tournament and another 330 points if his/her team advances to State two weeks later. The State Champion may have won 660 points – equal to the point value of winning the Qualifying.  Huge! 

A strong player on a weaker team could win the Regional tournament (330 points, A flight, Singles) but if the team does not advance to State, s/he would not have the opportunity to play for any more points. Still, 330 points is a big win. 

What should I do to improve my chances for these points?

Encourage other strong tournament players at your high school to join you in this effort!!! Get your mom – or your local pro – to coach the team!  Remember, a team is only as strong as its weakest player … if you want to get to State, you’re going to need strength at all six positions.  

Questions about logistics
 

When is the entry deadline?

October 15, 2008 is the entry deadline. Rosters and t-shirt sizes must be turned in by this date.

Early entries (by May 31, 2008) are encouraged – all early entrant’s coaches receive a $50 gift certificate. 

How are teams selected?

In this inaugural year, as we build awareness about this event, we will accept entries in the order received. No region can accommodate more than sixteen (16) teams, so we expect the tournament to fill rapidly.  In future years, we expect to use a selection process based on team strength according to player standings. 

How will teams be seeded?

            Teams will be seeded based on the accumulated standings information for all team members.
            A maximum of four (4) teams in each region will be seeded. 

Where can I find the entry form?