USTA Georgia’s first-ever Sanctioned High School Tournament!!!

USTA Georgia’s first-ever Sanctioned High School Tournament!!!

Teams (both boys and girls) from any Georgia school may compete in this event:
(large, small, public, private, urban, rural).

Teams will play 3 levels of singles and 2 levels of doubles. Regional competition will be limited to sixteen teams. The top two teams from each Regional advance to State competition.  Teams advance through the draw as individual players win their matches, earning points for each win.

Singles wins earn 4 points per match     (main draw) and 2 points per match (consolation)
Doubles wins earn 2 point per match (main draw), and 1 point per match (consolation) 

Meanwhile, the individual players will earn USTA Georgia points for their wins. The competitors at the top level of Singles and Doubles (“A Flight”) will earn Level 3 Super Championship points; the other levels (“B” and “C” Flights) will earn Level 4 Championship points.  So, for example, each Region Singles Champion, A flight, will earn 330 points while each Region Singles Champion, B or C flight, will earn 220 points. If their teams advance to State, they will be playing for ANOTHER 220 – 330 points.  Doubles points accrue at 15% of the singles rates, according to normal USTA Georgia rankings guidelines. 

Eight Regionals will be held around the state on this date, (Rome, Columbus, Valdosta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, N Atlanta/NE GA (Racquet Club of the South), and S Atlanta/NE GA (South Fulton). 

Tournament Director:    Bonnie Smith    bonnies412@gmail.com or 478-335-3704 

USTA GA Staff:           Rick Davison    davison@ustageorgia.com or 404-256-9543 x 14 

Team Entry Fee:           $400 (one entry fee for both tournaments), including t-shirts, bag tags,

Individual and team trophies.  Entries are accepted in the order received
            and are limited to 16 teams per region. Entry deadline: October 15. 

Team Size:                    Minimum of seven (7)…Maximum of nine (9) players per team

                                    Seven players are needed to field a match. We will schedule matches so that
                                    one player will be allowed to play both singles and doubles at the #1 spot. 

Organizer:                     The team coach can be any parent, local coach, or other tennis enthusiast, since GISA and GHSA regulations will not allow the school coach to run this event.    

Get your team excited and committed – sign up now at www.ustageorgia.com !!!  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

About the Regions
About the Team Play
About the Individual Play
About Logistics

Questions about the regions

What are the sites for the Regional Tournaments? Who are the directors? 
 

Who are the officials for the Regional and State tournaments?
The Tournament Director is Bonnie Smith, bonnies412@gmail.com or 478-335-3704. 

The Referee is Donna Bailey, maconten@bellsouth.net or 478-477-1957. 

Rick Davison from USTA Georgia is the staff liaison for this event, davison@ustageorgia.com or 404-256-9543 extension 14.  This tournament is sponsored by USTA Georgia’s Junior Competition Committee, Jason Fleeman, Chair (jason@eagleswatchtennis.com)

Which counties are in which regions? 

North GA = 18 counties including Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Carroll, Haralson, Heard.  Regional Tournament is at Rome-Floyd Tennis Center, Rome. 

NE GA /N Atlanta = 13 counties including Union, Towns, Rabun, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Dawson, Hall, Forsyth, Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton (north of Interstate 20), and Dekalb (north of Interstate 20). Regional Tournament is at Racquet Club of the South, Norcross. 

NE GA / S Atlanta = 20 counties including Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Madison, Banks, Barrow, Jackson, Clarke, Oconee, Walton, Newton, Coweta, Rockdale, Henry, Clayton, Fayette, Douglas, Fulton (south of Interstate 20) and Dekalb (south of Interstate 20). Region Tournament is at South Fulton Tennis Center, Atlanta. 

West GA = 20 counties including Troup, Meriwether, Spaulding, Pike, Upson, Talbot, Harris, Muscogee, Taylor, Marion, Chattahoochee, Schley, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Lee, Terrell, Randolph, Quitman, Clay. Region Tournament is at Cooper Creek Tennis Center, Columbus (clay courts). 

Central GA = 20 counties including Morgan, Jasper, Putnam, Butts, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Wilkinson, Twiggs, Bibb, Crawford, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Dodge, Pulaski, Dooly, Macon. Region Tournament is at John Drew Smith Tennis Center, Macon. 

East GA = 21 counties including Wilkes, Lincoln, Columbia, Richmond, Burke, Screven, Jenkins, Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel, Johnson, Treutlen, Washington, Jefferson, Glascock, Warren, Hancock, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Greene, Oglethorpe. Region Tournament is at Newman Tennis Center, Augusta. 

SouthEast GA = 22 counties including Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Evans, Tattnall, Toombs, Montgomery, Wheeler, Telfair, Jeff Davis, Appling, Wayne, Long, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, Camden, Charlton, Ware, Pierce, Bacon, Brantley. Region Tournament is at the Landings Country Club, Savannah (clay courts). 

South GA  = 27 counties including Early, Calhoun, Dougherty, Worth, Tift, Irwin, Coffee, Ben Hill, Turner, Crisp, Wilcox, Miller, Baker, Mitchell, Colquitt, Cook, Berrien, Atkinson, Lanier, Clinch, Echols, Lowndes, Brooks, Thomas, Grady, Decatur, Seminole. Region Tournament is at Valdosta State University, Valdosta.

Questions about the teams and team play

 

How many players are needed for a team?

A total of seven (7) players will play in each round (three singles and four doubles players).  Each team needs a minimum of six (6) players, and can carry up to three (3) subs on the roster. 

Can players double up for singles and doubles?

Yes – ONE player may do so!  We will schedule matches such that the player at the # 1 position can double up.   After entries close on October 15^th, we will contact each team to place players in the individual draws and to identify any players who are doubling up. 

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.   In the event of INJURY or ILLNESS only, a substitute player who is listed on the Region roster may be inserted for the injured or ill player. Doing so, however, wipes out all individual points earned thus far by the withdrawing player, as he/she will be replaced on the draw line by the substitute. 

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. 

In both Singles and Doubles, we will play a consolation round, with all first round losers playing a separate consolation bracket. This ensures that every player from 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 two 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 schools. 

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, turn in a score card at the end of each round of play.  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 in the Main Draw earns 4 points for your team.
            Each Doubles win in the Main Draw earns 2 points for your team.
            Each Singles win in the Consolation Draw earns 2 points for your team.
            Each Doubles win in the Consolation Draw earns 1 point for your team. 

Example:  Joe is playing Singles in the A flight for the Central Lions.  He loses his first match but wins 3 rounds in Consolation – 3 wins x 2 points = 6 points for the team.  Bill is playing Singles in the B flight – he wins his first round then loses – a total of 4 points.  Andrew is playing Singles in the C flight – he wins the flight (4 matches x 4 points) – a total of 16 points.  In doubles A flight, Jody and Brad win 3 rounds but lose in the finals – 3 rounds x 2 points = 6 points. In doubles B flight, Carl and Juan win one round then lose – a total of 2 points.  Altogether, the Lions won 6 + 4 + 16 + 6 + 2 points = 34 points.   

Team winners will not be known until the end of play on Sunday – every match and every point will count! 

 A maximum of 80 points per round (16 points x 5 levels) can be earned by any team.  A Perfect Score (a team that won all five flights) would be 320 points.
 

Questions about the individual play

 

How will these points work for individual players?

There will be three flights of play:
# 1 Singles & # 1 Doubles        A flight Level 3 USTA GA points (max 330)
# 2 Singles & # 2 Doubles        B flight Level 4 USTA GA points (max 220)
# 3 Singles                             C flight  Level 4 USTA GA points (max 220) 

See the point table below for clarification. 

Each player will accrue points based on his/her actual wins in any round.  

Example:  Susan is playing #1 Singles (A Flight) for her team, the Cougars. She wins three         matches, reaching the Semi-Finals before she loses. Susan will earn 210 points for the       tournament (A Flight = Level 3, reached the Semis) 

Example:  Jeffrey is playing #3 Singles (C Flight) for his team, the Mavericks. He lost his first     match, but won all three rounds in the consolation. He earns 60 points for the tournament.              (C Flight = Level 4, won three rounds of consolation).

What’s in it for me?

A strong player on a strong team is 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 in two week’s time – 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 five positions. 

Questions about logistics
 

When is the entry deadline?

October 15, 2008 is the entry deadline. Final rosters and t-shirt sizes are due at this time. 

How are teams selected?

In this inaugural year, as we build awareness about this event, we will accept entries in the order received.   The time stamp (email or fax entries) or postmark (mailed entries) will determine order received.  An entry requires payment to be considered “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 not be seeded per se – rather, individual players will be seeded within the flights.       We will take into account USTA Georgia and Southern standings, as well as information about     starting players for the High School tournaments. Some high school players are not in the     USTA tournament data base, so seeding may be a bit subjective for this tournament.   

            For example: Player X is not a USTA GA ranked player, but she was in the starting lineup for
            a team that won the state GISA AAA tournament. We would consider this player carefully!!
            A maximum of four (4) players in each flight will be seeded. 

Where can I find the entry form?

            Click this link to download the form, which should be returned to:
            Macon Tennis Association, 3280 North Ingle Place, Macon, GA 31210, attn: Bonnie Smith 

Your entry fee (if a check) should also be payable to the Macon Tennis Association. If you need to charge your entry fee (Master Card or Visa only), please fill in the number on the entry form, or call the MTA at 478-477-1957 and ask for Donna Bailey to give that number by phone. 

The roster and t-shirt form (page two of the entry form) may be returned later (by 10/15/08).   

What are the sanctioned dates for this tournament?

The Regional events are sanctioned from Saturday, November 22 – Monday, November 24.  Play is scheduled only for Saturday and Sunday, but we will use Monday as a rain day if necessary.  The State tournament is likewise sanctioned from Saturday, December 6 – Monday, December 8, with Monday available only in the event of inclement weather. 

What about hotels?

If your team should wish to stay overnight at the tournament, arrangements will need to be made with the local hotels.  By early fall, the tournament directors for the various region tournaments will have made arrangements with local hotels. Check with them at that time for a list of preferred hotels and rates. We will update the tournament web pages as this information becomes available as well. Each team is responsible for the costs of lodging, transportation, food, etc. during the tournament(s).  

Where do I send the forms and payment?  ADDRESS, FAX, EMAIL

            To the Macon Tennis Association, the sponsoring Community Tennis Association for this
             tournament.  

            The MTA address is 3280 N. Ingle Place, Macon, GA 31210, Attention: Bonnie Smith.
            You may also fax information to Bonnie at 478-477-1437 or scan/email it to bonnies412@gmail.com   

What credit cards can you accept?

            Visa and Master Card only, thanks. 

What about refunds?

            An entry must be accompanied by full payment ($400 per team) in order to be considered         “received”.  $100 of that fee is non-refundable.  The remaining $300 CAN be refunded if a   team requests withdrawal in writing prior to the close of entries on October 15, 2008. 

            No refunds will be given for withdrawals after that time.  

How do I track my team’s progress? Find out critical information?

            Once the deadline has arrived (October 15^th), all the players will be entered into the appropriate            flights and regions.  This should be complete by October 20^th.  After that time, you may see           who’s in your draw, check out the seeds, track results in the various draws, see match times,          etc. by visiting the tournament web page.             

            The tournament home page contains valuable information. Last minute changes, weather             updates, etc. will be posted to these pages real-time. As the tournament nears, check back   often!  

            Follow these simple steps:

            Go to www.usta.com
            Click on “Tennis Link” (right-hand side of header bar)
            Click on “Enter here for Tournaments”
            Enter the ID number for the appropriate tournament:   

Regional Tournament = 703481208               
State Finals Tournament  = 703481308