USTA's Dennis Van Der Meer Southern Junior Championships hit the island this weekend
If there was a worry that there might be some unused tennis courts on the island this weekend, the youngsters are stepping up to make sure that’s not an issue.
With the USTA S.C. Combo Doubles State League Championships occupying some or all of the courts at 10 different Beaufort County facilities, Van Der Meer Academy is hosting the Dennis Van Der Meer Southern Junior Championships on Saturday and Sunday, as well.
The tournament is a high-level event, a USTA Southern Level 3 and a South Carolina Level 2 tournament. The event will have 215 of the region’s top junior boys and girls playing 12’s, 14’s, 16’s and 18’s.
Matches will be played at Van Der Meer Tennis Center, Van Der Meer Shipyard Tennis Resort, Chaplin Park and Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort.
According to tournament director Jim Stubbs, the tournament will follow what’s called a waterfall draw. To ensure the event is completed in two days, Each division is divided into two draws -- red and white -- with a champion crowned in each.
Players from all three local tennis academies -- Van Der Meer, Smith Stearns and Ivan Lendl IJTA -- will be competing, as well as athletes from some area high schools.
Seeding is done using the players’ Southern section ranking, so not everyone could get in.
Nathan Perrone, the fifth-ranked player in the nation, recently switched to the Southern Section and as a result, is only seeded third.
“These draws have some very talented, high-level players,” Van Der Meer admissions coordinator Gretchen Tuchscherer said. “Spectators will be amazed by the caliber of play all the way from the 18’s down to the 12’s. Even in the first round of matches, this is going to be some heavy duty, serious tennis.”
USTA Dennis Van Der Meer Southern Junior Championships
When: Saturday-Sunday
Where: At Van Der Meer tennis Center, Van Der Meer Shipyard, Chaplain Park and Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort
Cost: The matches are free and open to the public.
Online: The official USTA tournament page, including draws and results, can be found at http://bit.ly/VDMjuniors
This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 9:02 PM with the headline "USTA's Dennis Van Der Meer Southern Junior Championships hit the island this weekend."