Spring 2019 - It's here!
High School Girls' Tennis - Set to begin on March 11, we have 45+ girls signed on. Great numbers.
U11 Tennis - Begins March 4 for ages 5,6,7 & 8, 9, 10. Check the Community Ed site for details - pinckneyonline.com
Middle School Tennis Camp - begins April 22, then M/W for 4 weeks. After school. Check the Community Ed site - pinckneyonline.com
High School Girls' Tennis - Set to begin on March 11, we have 45+ girls signed on. Great numbers.
U11 Tennis - Begins March 4 for ages 5,6,7 & 8, 9, 10. Check the Community Ed site for details - pinckneyonline.com
Middle School Tennis Camp - begins April 22, then M/W for 4 weeks. After school. Check the Community Ed site - pinckneyonline.com
JV Coach Mark Swanson, Varsity Coach Francis Diaz, Asst Coach Tom Shehan
From the archives
Fall 2018 Boy's Coaches
Pinckney Tennis is proud to be a no-cut sport. If you are willing to try, we want you on the team.
Pinckney has joined the SEC Red Division and will have matches with Adrian, Chelsea, Dexter, Jackson, Saline, Techuseh and Ypsilanti.
Visit the High School section of this website for more hs action!
Fall 2018 Boy's Coaches
Pinckney Tennis is proud to be a no-cut sport. If you are willing to try, we want you on the team.
Pinckney has joined the SEC Red Division and will have matches with Adrian, Chelsea, Dexter, Jackson, Saline, Techuseh and Ypsilanti.
Visit the High School section of this website for more hs action!
The Best Sport for a Longer Life? Try Tennis
People who played tennis, badminton or soccer tended to live longer than those who cycled, swam or jogged.
NYTimes Sept 5, 2018
By Gretchen Reynolds
Playing tennis and other sports that are social might add years to your life, according to a new epidemiological study of Danish men and women.
The study found that adults who reported frequently participating in tennis or other racket and team sports lived longer than people who were sedentary. But they also lived longer than people who took part in reliably healthy but often solitary activities such as jogging, swimming and cycling.
The results raise interesting questions about the role that social interactions might play in augmenting the benefits of exercise.
At this point, no one doubts that being physically active improves our health and can extend our longevity. Multiple, recent epidemiological studies have pinpointed links between regular exercise and longer lives in men and women.
But whether some activities might be better than others for lengthening life spans remains in dispute. One widely publicized 2017 study of more than 80,000 British men and women found that those who played racket sports tended to outlive those who jogged.
Those results piqued the interest of an international group of scientists. They previously had examined links between jogging and longevity and concluded that moderate amounts of moderately paced running led to greater gains in longevity than more-gentle or strenuous running.
For the new study, which was published this week in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, these same researchers decided to widen their inquiry and look at a variety of sports and their associations with life and premature death.
To start, they turned to the same data resource they had used for the jogging study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, an ambitious, ongoing attempt to track the lives and health of thousands of men and women in Copenhagen.
The study’s participants had all completed health exams and lengthy questionnaires about their lifestyles and whether and how often they took part in eight sports common in Denmark, including cycling, swimming, running, tennis, soccer and, perhaps unexpectedly, badminton.
The researchers zeroed in on 8,600 of the participants who had been part of the study for about 25 years.
They cross-referenced records with the national death registry to see if and when any of these people had passed away.
Then they compared activities and life spans.
The most obvious finding was that people who had reported almost never exercising were more likely than the active to have died in the ensuing decades.
The associations between particular activities and life span were more surprising.
Cycling was the most popular activity among the Danes in the study, many of whom reported riding for four or more hours every week. Their pedaling was associated with a lengthier life span, adding an average of 3.7 years to riders’ lives, compared to sedentary Danes.
Running likewise was associated with an extra 3.2 years of life.
But these gains were notably less than for playing tennis, which was linked to 9.7 added years of life, or badminton, which was linked to an extra 6.2 years, or soccer, which added almost 5 years to players’ lives.
These associations remained unchanged even when the researchers controlled for people’s education, socioeconomic status and age.
Why and how some sports might add more years to people’s lives than others is impossible to know from this kind of observational study, says Dr. James O’Keefe, a study co-author and the director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute at Saint Luke’s Health Center in Kansas City.
The differing physical demands of some sports could play a role, he says, although little of the exercise in this study was heavily intense, whether people were cycling or backhanding a shuttlecock.
Income and other aspects of people’s lifestyles also likely matter, he says. The researchers tried to account for socioeconomic factors, but it remains possible, he says, that people who have sufficient money and leisure time to play tennis live longer because they have sufficient money and leisure time, not because they play tennis.
Still, he suspects that the social aspects of racket games and other team sports are a primary reason that they seem to lengthen lives, he says.
“We know from other research that social support provides stress mitigation,” he says.
“So being with other people, playing and interacting with them, as you do when you play games that require a partner or a team, probably has unique psychological and physiological effects,” he says, amplifying the benefits of the exercise.
That possibility requires verification, he says, especially in randomized experiments directly comparing different types of exercise.
But for now, people who run or ride solo might consider finding a group or partner with whom to work out, he says.
“Raising your heart rate is important” for health, he says. “But it looks like connecting with other people is, too.”
2018 Girl's Tennis visiting MSU Big 10 match - power outage, so packed up and went for ice cream. Visit the high school section for a slide show. Right click on any photo to copy.
U11 USTA Tennis 2018
Adam Caplin, #1 Singles and team captain signs to play for Adrian College
Food for thought.
On 1/21 ESPN interviewed Roger Federer.
He said if his daughters want to play tennis he would suggest the two hand backhand.
It's easier to learn and control.
Then he said as he was growing up he played two-hand backhand and forehand. He even switched to right hand under for backhand and left hand under for forehand.
Maybe that has saved some wear and tear on his shoulders/wrists and prolonged his career.
On 1/21 ESPN interviewed Roger Federer.
He said if his daughters want to play tennis he would suggest the two hand backhand.
It's easier to learn and control.
Then he said as he was growing up he played two-hand backhand and forehand. He even switched to right hand under for backhand and left hand under for forehand.
Maybe that has saved some wear and tear on his shoulders/wrists and prolonged his career.
Summer 2018
Tennis for kids
Community Ed summer camps for grades K-HS. Begins week of June 18. Pinckneyonline.org for details and to register.
HS boys and girls currently playing on JV or Varsity. Mondays, beginning June 18. Mondays 3:00-4:30 at the HS courts. Hit-around.
HS teams: For those returning or interested in playing on the boy's teams this Fall. Season begins August 8. For more info, you may contact Varsity coach Francis Diaz at diazpinckney@aol.com
Fowlerville Tournament. See below. (You may cut and paste this as a registration form.)
2nd ANNUAL FOWLERVILLE OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
June 29 and 30, 2018 Fowlerville High School
(we will use 6/30/18 only if needed)
FLIGHTS
BOYS GOLD(ADVANCED) PURPLE(INTERMEDIATE)
GIRLS GOLD(ADVANCED) PURPLE(INTERMEDIATE)
FORMAT
ALL MATCHES BEST OF 3 SETS WITH A 10 PT SUPERTIEBREAK FOR 3RD SET
(8 GAME PRO-SETS CAN BE USED IN CONSOLATION ROUNDS AND DOUBLES)
THERE WILL BE A DOUBLES SIGN UP ON SITE!!
REGISTRATION
CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL JIM JONAS (517-960-7123) jonasj@fowlervilleschools.org
ENTRY FEE
SINGLES $15 PLUS 1 CAN OF BALLS
DOUBLES $20/TEAM PLUS 1 CAN OF BALLS
SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE BASED ON SIZE OF DRAWS AND WEATHER)
PURPLE SINGLES(BOYS AND GIRLS) START 9:00 ON 6/29
GOLD SINGLES(BOYS AND GIRLS) START 11:00 ON 6/29
DOUBLES AFTERNOON ON 6/29
Please call 517-960-7123 on 6/28 after 3pm to get your time
2ND ANNUAL FOWLERVILLE OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
PLEASE CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL REGISTRATION BY 6/27 PAYMENT DUE DAY OF TOURNAMENT.
I MUST HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION BY 6/20 TO GET A TSHIRT
NAME:_____________________ PHONE: ( )_________-________________
EMAIL:___________________________________________________________________
BIRTHDATE:_________________
T-SHIRT SIZE-ADULT-(CIRCLE ONE) S M L XL OTHER:______
FLIGHT(CIRCLE): BOYS GOLD PURPLE
GIRLS GOLD PURPLE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennis for adults
Adult beginner lessons. Thursdays, June 7 - July 12, 6:30pm at the HS courts. Pinckneyonline.org to register.
Recreational play for adults. M/W/F 5:30ish til we quit. At the Pathfinder east-end courts. No structure, just come. Beginners welcome.
Tennis and free pizza nites. Four fridays in July for age 20+. 6:00 begin. At the HS courts. Loaner rackets and balls provided. Beginners welcome. No need to register. Just put on your tennies and come on up.
Tennis for kids
Community Ed summer camps for grades K-HS. Begins week of June 18. Pinckneyonline.org for details and to register.
HS boys and girls currently playing on JV or Varsity. Mondays, beginning June 18. Mondays 3:00-4:30 at the HS courts. Hit-around.
HS teams: For those returning or interested in playing on the boy's teams this Fall. Season begins August 8. For more info, you may contact Varsity coach Francis Diaz at diazpinckney@aol.com
Fowlerville Tournament. See below. (You may cut and paste this as a registration form.)
2nd ANNUAL FOWLERVILLE OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
June 29 and 30, 2018 Fowlerville High School
(we will use 6/30/18 only if needed)
FLIGHTS
BOYS GOLD(ADVANCED) PURPLE(INTERMEDIATE)
GIRLS GOLD(ADVANCED) PURPLE(INTERMEDIATE)
FORMAT
ALL MATCHES BEST OF 3 SETS WITH A 10 PT SUPERTIEBREAK FOR 3RD SET
(8 GAME PRO-SETS CAN BE USED IN CONSOLATION ROUNDS AND DOUBLES)
THERE WILL BE A DOUBLES SIGN UP ON SITE!!
REGISTRATION
CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL JIM JONAS (517-960-7123) jonasj@fowlervilleschools.org
ENTRY FEE
SINGLES $15 PLUS 1 CAN OF BALLS
DOUBLES $20/TEAM PLUS 1 CAN OF BALLS
SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE BASED ON SIZE OF DRAWS AND WEATHER)
PURPLE SINGLES(BOYS AND GIRLS) START 9:00 ON 6/29
GOLD SINGLES(BOYS AND GIRLS) START 11:00 ON 6/29
DOUBLES AFTERNOON ON 6/29
Please call 517-960-7123 on 6/28 after 3pm to get your time
2ND ANNUAL FOWLERVILLE OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
PLEASE CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL REGISTRATION BY 6/27 PAYMENT DUE DAY OF TOURNAMENT.
I MUST HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION BY 6/20 TO GET A TSHIRT
NAME:_____________________ PHONE: ( )_________-________________
EMAIL:___________________________________________________________________
BIRTHDATE:_________________
T-SHIRT SIZE-ADULT-(CIRCLE ONE) S M L XL OTHER:______
FLIGHT(CIRCLE): BOYS GOLD PURPLE
GIRLS GOLD PURPLE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennis for adults
Adult beginner lessons. Thursdays, June 7 - July 12, 6:30pm at the HS courts. Pinckneyonline.org to register.
Recreational play for adults. M/W/F 5:30ish til we quit. At the Pathfinder east-end courts. No structure, just come. Beginners welcome.
Tennis and free pizza nites. Four fridays in July for age 20+. 6:00 begin. At the HS courts. Loaner rackets and balls provided. Beginners welcome. No need to register. Just put on your tennies and come on up.
Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA) meeting 1/22/2018 7:00pm PHS Media Ctr.
Agenda (in black) & Minutes (in Red)
Meeting attendance: Francis Diaz, Tom Shehan, Vince Romano, Lisa Schmina, Ben Tasich, Debbie Folk, Evan Valeri, Sam Daniels, Mark Swanson
Legal status & CTA requirements/paperwork - Evan/USTA will help Vince get us up to date
Finances, and... Debbie wants to retire from the Treasurer's position. - Debbie agreed to stay on until we get the legal issue resolved. We have $2206.97 in our PACTA account.
Fundraising opportunities – Concessions? - Lisa will attempt to get us two concession stand dates.
Website – Mark maintains and explained the site is for the entire tennis family.
HS coach's comments -Francis/Boys (see below) Nolan/Girls - Nolan was not in attendance. Mark will inventory the existing and needs, and talk with AD Brian Wardlow about the upcoming season.
Upcoming – Community Ed U11 and Middle School after school - Mark and Tom and Lisa
Mark and Lisa will do U11, dates are set. Lisa and Tom will do Middle School, dates are set. Tom will coach the travel program. Mark talked with Dexter about them joining MS travel. Evan has some USTA handout materials he can send us.
Also: Dexter is removing their 6-court tennis facility at their middle school complex. Lisa said her preference would be the U11 and MS programs. Debbie mentioned how having HS players assisting with the younger kids' programs is good for the HS kids and program.
Mark stated we try to use boys in the Spring and girls in the Fall middle school programs. And some have also helped with the U11.
Middle School and elementary gym teachers are now doing extra tennis sessions Spring and Fall. PACTA donated two cases of lower compression balls. - Francis and more will attend a middle school lunch session to talk up tennis opportunities.
Upcoming - HS girl's season (dates, inventory, any needs, coaching?) Recruiting girls: Golf and Volleyball are offseason. Good prospects. - Mark will ask Brian for lists.
Upcoming 5th Summer USTA Jr. Tournament – Agreed we'd like to continue. We must have a tournament director if it is to be USTA. Discussion about who could fill that role. Evan will assist. Nick Romano, Nick Marlot, Kyle Jurzak?
Evan Valeri, our new USTA rep plans to attend. He could give us some updates, ideas. - Welcome
Evan suggested we prioritize the feeder system. There are some USTA grants for materials. The USTA priority is helping startups, but if funding is still available they want to spend it.
Francis - Have you spoken with Brian about court repairs? Evan stated that the USTA has some matching grants, possibly for court repairs.
Submitted by Francis Diaz (Boys’ Tennis) 1/22/2018
Kirk Boettcher told Francis in late October that he would coach summer CE tennis again this year. -
Francis (and all) pleased Kurt will return. For all school-ages.
January 6th Tennis Fun Night – good time for those who attended but attendance was poor (15 people other than coaches). Francis will ask for RSVPs next November for attendance – decision will be made whether to hold event before making court reservations, lining up raffle prizes, ordering food and paper products, etc. - General discussion. Event is good. Perhaps expand to invite younger kids and families. Perhaps a summer event. We pay the Livonia Y $150 for 5 courts for 2 hours.
Ordering boys tennis uniform tops and bottoms during off-season to have available at start of season (uniforms did not arrive until end of season this year due to BSN problems) – Francis will pre-order several sets.
New scorecards for the 10 courts (purchased by Pinckney Athletic Office) – Will store/use the older ones at Pathfinder. Thanks Brian.
USTA Team Tennis – 10 players (9 boys and 1 girl) – team managed by Linda Caplin Francis reported we are having trouble with consistent attendance. Not good.
4 boys players are doing Saturday match play at Novi Sports Club & enjoying it. Francis reported those attending are enjoying it and improving their game.
In 2nd session of Novi Sports Club (3 more Fridays) – 15 players (12 boys, 3 girls) Francis reported attendance has been low per previous years, and frustrating that kids sign up and then don't show up, without telling Todd. Todd has helped by allowing pay-that-evening but some have still not payed and/or don't tell Todd they are not coming, complicating planning.
3rd Session at Novi Sports Club - Feb 16, 23, March 2, 9,16 (Friday 8:30-10:00pm clinics)
$20 per session for the 5 sessions. If player can not attend a session, needs to send Todd Beyer a text by Feb 12 to let him know which dates you will not be there. How can we increase attendance for #3?
Other discussion:
General discussion re overall numbers participating at all levels. U11 is steady, Middle School has dropped from the 30's to the teens, HS travel has dropped from two teams to one, and Novi lessons are down by half. Of 27 HS girls last Spring, 16 were seniors. We have the programs in place and great facilities. Where are the kids? We need to continue to promote the program.
All lamented the lack of an indoor facility. Sam and Ben offered to pursue this.
Francis explained that the HS boy's and girl's teams are separately funded by JV enrollment and fund raising. Francis and Ben have raided the boy's account in the past to help the girl's program.
Afterthoughts by Mark (taking Secretary's prerogative): All is not bad news. We have the most courts in the county, we have programs for all ages (adding a MS travel program last Spring) , and the support of the schools for teaching and promoting tennis. And we are a CTA, with the support and assistance of the USTA (with a Pinckney grad as our USTA rep won't hurt ☺ ). Icing on the cake was a bit of notoriety for our HS boy's travel to the state tournament this year, payoff for the years of our efforts. Most of our surrounding neighbors have nothing near our scope and enthusiasm. Bonus: Two of our recent graduates have gotten college scholarships, Nick Romano and Adam Caplin, and several grads are in tennis/sport management programs in college!
Secondly, while we are focusing on tennis, the MHSAA and AMA suggest that kids multi-sport in high school. If we have indoor courts are we encouraging kids to “tennis only”? Are we focused on what we want, or what's best for the kids? Attempts should be made to encourage and recruit those already participating in other sports to try tennis. Pinckney HS tennis is no-cut. Why not?
Agenda (in black) & Minutes (in Red)
Meeting attendance: Francis Diaz, Tom Shehan, Vince Romano, Lisa Schmina, Ben Tasich, Debbie Folk, Evan Valeri, Sam Daniels, Mark Swanson
Legal status & CTA requirements/paperwork - Evan/USTA will help Vince get us up to date
Finances, and... Debbie wants to retire from the Treasurer's position. - Debbie agreed to stay on until we get the legal issue resolved. We have $2206.97 in our PACTA account.
Fundraising opportunities – Concessions? - Lisa will attempt to get us two concession stand dates.
Website – Mark maintains and explained the site is for the entire tennis family.
HS coach's comments -Francis/Boys (see below) Nolan/Girls - Nolan was not in attendance. Mark will inventory the existing and needs, and talk with AD Brian Wardlow about the upcoming season.
Upcoming – Community Ed U11 and Middle School after school - Mark and Tom and Lisa
Mark and Lisa will do U11, dates are set. Lisa and Tom will do Middle School, dates are set. Tom will coach the travel program. Mark talked with Dexter about them joining MS travel. Evan has some USTA handout materials he can send us.
Also: Dexter is removing their 6-court tennis facility at their middle school complex. Lisa said her preference would be the U11 and MS programs. Debbie mentioned how having HS players assisting with the younger kids' programs is good for the HS kids and program.
Mark stated we try to use boys in the Spring and girls in the Fall middle school programs. And some have also helped with the U11.
Middle School and elementary gym teachers are now doing extra tennis sessions Spring and Fall. PACTA donated two cases of lower compression balls. - Francis and more will attend a middle school lunch session to talk up tennis opportunities.
Upcoming - HS girl's season (dates, inventory, any needs, coaching?) Recruiting girls: Golf and Volleyball are offseason. Good prospects. - Mark will ask Brian for lists.
Upcoming 5th Summer USTA Jr. Tournament – Agreed we'd like to continue. We must have a tournament director if it is to be USTA. Discussion about who could fill that role. Evan will assist. Nick Romano, Nick Marlot, Kyle Jurzak?
Evan Valeri, our new USTA rep plans to attend. He could give us some updates, ideas. - Welcome
Evan suggested we prioritize the feeder system. There are some USTA grants for materials. The USTA priority is helping startups, but if funding is still available they want to spend it.
Francis - Have you spoken with Brian about court repairs? Evan stated that the USTA has some matching grants, possibly for court repairs.
Submitted by Francis Diaz (Boys’ Tennis) 1/22/2018
Kirk Boettcher told Francis in late October that he would coach summer CE tennis again this year. -
Francis (and all) pleased Kurt will return. For all school-ages.
January 6th Tennis Fun Night – good time for those who attended but attendance was poor (15 people other than coaches). Francis will ask for RSVPs next November for attendance – decision will be made whether to hold event before making court reservations, lining up raffle prizes, ordering food and paper products, etc. - General discussion. Event is good. Perhaps expand to invite younger kids and families. Perhaps a summer event. We pay the Livonia Y $150 for 5 courts for 2 hours.
Ordering boys tennis uniform tops and bottoms during off-season to have available at start of season (uniforms did not arrive until end of season this year due to BSN problems) – Francis will pre-order several sets.
New scorecards for the 10 courts (purchased by Pinckney Athletic Office) – Will store/use the older ones at Pathfinder. Thanks Brian.
USTA Team Tennis – 10 players (9 boys and 1 girl) – team managed by Linda Caplin Francis reported we are having trouble with consistent attendance. Not good.
4 boys players are doing Saturday match play at Novi Sports Club & enjoying it. Francis reported those attending are enjoying it and improving their game.
In 2nd session of Novi Sports Club (3 more Fridays) – 15 players (12 boys, 3 girls) Francis reported attendance has been low per previous years, and frustrating that kids sign up and then don't show up, without telling Todd. Todd has helped by allowing pay-that-evening but some have still not payed and/or don't tell Todd they are not coming, complicating planning.
3rd Session at Novi Sports Club - Feb 16, 23, March 2, 9,16 (Friday 8:30-10:00pm clinics)
$20 per session for the 5 sessions. If player can not attend a session, needs to send Todd Beyer a text by Feb 12 to let him know which dates you will not be there. How can we increase attendance for #3?
Other discussion:
General discussion re overall numbers participating at all levels. U11 is steady, Middle School has dropped from the 30's to the teens, HS travel has dropped from two teams to one, and Novi lessons are down by half. Of 27 HS girls last Spring, 16 were seniors. We have the programs in place and great facilities. Where are the kids? We need to continue to promote the program.
All lamented the lack of an indoor facility. Sam and Ben offered to pursue this.
Francis explained that the HS boy's and girl's teams are separately funded by JV enrollment and fund raising. Francis and Ben have raided the boy's account in the past to help the girl's program.
Afterthoughts by Mark (taking Secretary's prerogative): All is not bad news. We have the most courts in the county, we have programs for all ages (adding a MS travel program last Spring) , and the support of the schools for teaching and promoting tennis. And we are a CTA, with the support and assistance of the USTA (with a Pinckney grad as our USTA rep won't hurt ☺ ). Icing on the cake was a bit of notoriety for our HS boy's travel to the state tournament this year, payoff for the years of our efforts. Most of our surrounding neighbors have nothing near our scope and enthusiasm. Bonus: Two of our recent graduates have gotten college scholarships, Nick Romano and Adam Caplin, and several grads are in tennis/sport management programs in college!
Secondly, while we are focusing on tennis, the MHSAA and AMA suggest that kids multi-sport in high school. If we have indoor courts are we encouraging kids to “tennis only”? Are we focused on what we want, or what's best for the kids? Attempts should be made to encourage and recruit those already participating in other sports to try tennis. Pinckney HS tennis is no-cut. Why not?
Happy New Year. Go Green! ☺
Francis Diaz, Pinckney boys tennis, selected as a Top 10 Livingston County coach for 2017
Taking over for a Pinckney tennis legend in Ben Tasich is no easy feat, but Diaz has very successfully transitioned into his new role as the Pinckney boys head coach. In only his second year with the team, Diaz led the Pirates to arguably their best season in school history, as they made their first appearance in the Division 2 state finals.
Response from Coach Diaz to parent Lauren Walter 1/1/2018
Thank you Lauren for the kind words but I feel this is a recognition of the players, parents, coaches and helpers we had on the 2017 Boys Tennis Team. As my players know, I am a coach that emphasizes the team concept and it was the players, parents and coaches working together that led to our team's success and the many post season honors our team members have received. For me, having our top 12 players all receive All-Livingston County Tennis Team recognition was the most amazing honor. I am not sure if there has ever been another Pinckney sports team that had its top 12 players all make the all county team.
Taking over for a Pinckney tennis legend in Ben Tasich is no easy feat, but Diaz has very successfully transitioned into his new role as the Pinckney boys head coach. In only his second year with the team, Diaz led the Pirates to arguably their best season in school history, as they made their first appearance in the Division 2 state finals.
Response from Coach Diaz to parent Lauren Walter 1/1/2018
Thank you Lauren for the kind words but I feel this is a recognition of the players, parents, coaches and helpers we had on the 2017 Boys Tennis Team. As my players know, I am a coach that emphasizes the team concept and it was the players, parents and coaches working together that led to our team's success and the many post season honors our team members have received. For me, having our top 12 players all receive All-Livingston County Tennis Team recognition was the most amazing honor. I am not sure if there has ever been another Pinckney sports team that had its top 12 players all make the all county team.
CONGRATS!
First Team
Adam Caplin
SCHOOL: Pinckney
CLASS: Senior
FLIGHT: No. 1 Singles
ACHIEVEMENTS: Pinckney’s senior captain was outstanding in his final high school season, going 20-9 and undefeated against the top singles players from Livingston County. More notably, Caplin led the Pirates to their first trip to the Division 2 state meet, winning a match at regionals to help make it possible.
COACH’S COMMENT: “Adam never missed a practice in the two years I coached him,” Pinckney coach Francis Diaz said. “He was a leader on the team in showing his teammates how much you can improve by putting in offseason work and giving 100 percent effort. Adam tremendously improved his singles game over the past two years.”
More on Adam Caplin
Livingston Daily Nov 26, 2017
PINCKNEY — It wasn’t supposed to be as easy as Pinckney senior Adam Caplin made it look, making the transition from No. 2 singles to the top-singles fight in his senior year.
His coach Francis Diaz and former teammate Wilson Wagner, the Livingston Daily’s 2016 Boys Tennis Player of the Year, warned him it would be anything but.
“They said it was going to be a big jump,” Caplin said.
Yet, Caplin seemed to breeze through his life as the Pirates’ go-to guy, going 20-9 overall en route to leading the Pirates to the Division 2 state finals for the first time in school history.
He was, by far, the county’s most successful player at No. 1 singles. His team was also the best in the area, and in school history, going 7-1-1 overall, playing in six tournaments while finishing no lower than third, and qualifying for states by scoring 10 points and taking third at regionals.
“Adam’s dedication to improve his game during the offseason resulted in big improvement between his junior and senior seasons,” Diaz said. “Adam did every offseason program I offered to our Pinckney tennis players.”
This included fall and winter group tennis lessons at the Novi Sports Club. It included competing with a United States Tennis Association junior tennis team comprised of Pinckney players in the fall and winter. Caplin also attended summer community education tennis clinics and participated in additional USTA tournaments.
In other words, he put the work in, and it resulted in drastic enhancements.
“I probably realized it was more difficult (toward the middle) of the season,” Caplin said.
Through the first half, he was essentially unchallenged, the summer training clearly doing wonders for his game. He defeated his opponents with a solid return and by beautifully mixing his slice and topspin shots, as Diaz described, “kind of like a baseball pitcher who mixes fastballs and changeups to keep the hitter from developing a rhythm.”
And that led to numerous big wins, beating Brighton and Howell's top singles player in scrimmages, topping Hartland’s No. 1 singles players in a head-to-head meet, and downing the same South Lyon opponent, who beat him in last year’s regionals, twice in consecutive sets.
“He was a leader on the team in showing his teammates how much you can improve by putting in offseason work and giving 100 percent effort at every practice and match,” Diaz said. “Adam tremendously improved his singles game over the past two years.”
For Caplin, it wasn’t so much about the individual victories as it was about what his achievements helped do for the team.
“It was fantastic,” said Caplin of the season. “It’s really hard to describe the feeling when I found out (we made states for the first time). … It was very unforgettable. I’ll never forget how we made it to states.”
Caplin had suffered a rare loss in his second match at regionals. Knowing Pinckney was stuck at nine points and needing 10, he assumed it was over, that the Pirates would come one point shy of reaching their goal and etching their names into the history books.
When he returned to the smiling faces of his teammates, he discovered quite the opposite, that No. 4 singles player Sebastian Smith and No. 3 Joey Paliwoda had earned second victories, and, therefore, two more crucial points to hit double digits.
That meant Caplin was a part of the first team and first senior class to bring Pinckney to states.
“It was very overwhelming,” Caplin said. “Very special. I am really honored to be part of it."
Joey Paliwoda
SCHOOL: Pinckney
CLASS: Senior
FLIGHT: No. 3 Singles
ACHIEVEMENTS: Paliwoda was vital in Pinckney reaching the D2 state meet as one of only two Pinckney players that won two matches at regionals. The Pirates needed those points, as they just barely hit the 10 required to make it. Paliwoda, who was 26-6 at No. 3-singles in 2017, went on to be the Pirates’ only player to emerge victorious at states, defeating Allen Park’s Everett Czajka to advance to the quarterfinals.
COACH’SCOMMENT: “Joey was our team’s most consistent player,” Pinckney coach Francis Diaz said. “I could almost pencil in a victory at 3-singles in most matches. His two victories at regionals helped us qualify for the state finals, and he scored all of Pinckney’s points at the state finals.”
Pinckney's Boy Tennis goes to state tourney!
from Boys JV Coach Mark on 10/23/2017
For the fist time ever in PHS history, the boy's team qualified for the state Class B tournament on Friday, Oct 20 in Kalamazoo. After finishing 8-1 in regular season play, the boys were strong from top to bottom in singles and doubles. While finishing 20th out of 24 teams at the tourney, let's remember not the final outcome, but the process. Opposing coaches complimented Coach Francis and Coach Mark throughout the season for the level of play our boys brought to the courts. Their practice preparations and match conduct were admired as honoring the beauty of what this sport has to offer. As we've said repeatedly, tennis not an easy game. A player brings his athletic abilities and desire to improve to the court. The coach's job is to add to the toolbox of skills they can apply on the court. Every ball that comes is different, in angle, speed, court location, wind and sun angle, etc. Add that to the fact that you're out their alone (or with your partner) and you are responsible for the outcome. I'm sure I speak for all the adults involved this year that we're proud of your tennis accomplishments and efforts throughout the season. In sports its easy, someone is keeping score and you'll know the outcome. In life, add a little to your efforts and to your toolbox each and every day and you'll amaze yourself at what you can do.
from Boys Varsity Coach Francis Diaz on 10/13/2017
On Friday, October 13 the Pinckney Boys Tennis Team finished third at the East Lansing Regionals, with Okemos winning with 24 points, East Lansing with 11 points and Pinckney with 10 points. With 10 points (one for each victory), Pinckney qualified for the Division 2 State Championship Tournament in Kalamazoo on October 20 and 21. All 8 of Pinckney's flights (4 singles and 4 doubles) won their 1st round matches with Joey Paliwoda and Sebastian Smith getting to the finals and winning 2nd place medals at 3rd and 4th singles respectively. All 8 flights played their best tennis of the season and contributed to the team qualifying for "states". Coach Francis Diaz has lived in the Pinckney area for 26 years and to his knowledge, Pinckney Boys Tennis has not qualified for the state tournament during this time period, so this is a proud achievement for the Pinckney tennis players.
Above: 2017 court warriors - Regularly amazing ourselves.
M/W/F @ 5 at Pathfinder courts. Come join in on the fun.
Pinckney High School Tennis has been added to both Busch’s “Cash for Education” program and Kroger’s “Community Rewards” program.
These are great programs that give money to the Boys and Girls High School Tennis programs just for shopping at our neighborhood stores while using the store’s loyalty cards. Each store will send a check directly to the athletic department throughout the year. There is literally nothing for us to do but shop once we have enrolled!!
Enrolling your loyalty cards in each store’s program is easy and I have (hopefully) detailed the steps below correctly:
For Busch’s Cash for Education program:
You need to be a “my way” member. If you are not a member, enrollment is simple and detailed on their website.
Step 1 – enter www.buschs.com in the browser search bar
Step 2 – once on Busch’s home page , click “my way” tab
Step 3 – log in to my way with your user name and password
Step 4 – click “my account” pull down menu and select Cash for education
Step 5 – Scroll through drop down menu for “Pinckney High School Tennis”
Step 6 – Select for the last quarter of 2017 and you can select for all four quarters of 2018.
NOTE – with the Busch’s program, you need to reselect your organization each quarter every year. Please be sure to check back with your account and ensure that Pinckeny High School Tennis is selected.
For Kroger’s Community Rewards program:
Step 1 – login to your Kroger account
Step 2 – under the “Welcome [Name]” pull down menu, pick “my account”, then scroll down to Community rewards
Step 3 – Chose “edit” if you have enrolled in a program previously and would like to change it to Pinckney High School Tennis
Step 4 – Insert our organization number of 63837, or scroll down for “Pinckney High School Tennis” and select.
Make sure your changes have been saved and you are all done!
Then, all you need to do is use your loyalty card at check out and the stores will donate a percentage of the sales to the tennis program.
Thank you so much for helping to support our teams. Please feel free to forward this email to other tennis players in the area, friends and family who live outside of Pinckney (the program works at any Busch’s or Kroger Store) and any Pinckney girls or boys tennis team members and family I may have missed.
These are great programs that give money to the Boys and Girls High School Tennis programs just for shopping at our neighborhood stores while using the store’s loyalty cards. Each store will send a check directly to the athletic department throughout the year. There is literally nothing for us to do but shop once we have enrolled!!
Enrolling your loyalty cards in each store’s program is easy and I have (hopefully) detailed the steps below correctly:
For Busch’s Cash for Education program:
You need to be a “my way” member. If you are not a member, enrollment is simple and detailed on their website.
Step 1 – enter www.buschs.com in the browser search bar
Step 2 – once on Busch’s home page , click “my way” tab
Step 3 – log in to my way with your user name and password
Step 4 – click “my account” pull down menu and select Cash for education
Step 5 – Scroll through drop down menu for “Pinckney High School Tennis”
Step 6 – Select for the last quarter of 2017 and you can select for all four quarters of 2018.
NOTE – with the Busch’s program, you need to reselect your organization each quarter every year. Please be sure to check back with your account and ensure that Pinckeny High School Tennis is selected.
For Kroger’s Community Rewards program:
Step 1 – login to your Kroger account
Step 2 – under the “Welcome [Name]” pull down menu, pick “my account”, then scroll down to Community rewards
Step 3 – Chose “edit” if you have enrolled in a program previously and would like to change it to Pinckney High School Tennis
Step 4 – Insert our organization number of 63837, or scroll down for “Pinckney High School Tennis” and select.
Make sure your changes have been saved and you are all done!
Then, all you need to do is use your loyalty card at check out and the stores will donate a percentage of the sales to the tennis program.
Thank you so much for helping to support our teams. Please feel free to forward this email to other tennis players in the area, friends and family who live outside of Pinckney (the program works at any Busch’s or Kroger Store) and any Pinckney girls or boys tennis team members and family I may have missed.
Pinckney USTA Junior Tournament 2017
Saturday, July 29
Held under beautiful skies, play conditions were great for 67 kids competing in U14, U16 and U18 brackets. Results will be posted as available, but in the meantime enjoy some photos from the event. ( Click in the upper left to start the slide show and right-click any photo, and you can save it to your own computer.)
Right click on any photo to save to your own computer.
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High School Tennis Camp Summer 2017
USTA Spring Tourney 2017
USTA Middle School Tourney 2017
Middle School Tennis Spring 2017
Middle School Travel Tennis 2017
MS - Keeping your eye on the ball
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MS - Preplay conditioning is important to prevent injury
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Promoting Head Tennis equipment
U10 Tennis Spring 2017
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U10 Tennis Spring 2017
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Miscellaneous from Spring 2017 HS tennis
Coach Francis with Number 1 Singles - Wilson Wagner
News: Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA)
(This group consists of of high school coaches and any others interested in promoting tennis in the community. It fund raises, promotes and coordinates non school tennis related activities. Open meeting to all interested in tennis...)
News: The boy's tennis team has received All State Academic Achievement recognition for Fall 2016. Way congrats! Good students make for good tennis players, or is it good tennis players make for good students?
On that note: the MI High School Athletic Association, the American Medical Association and the NCAA encourage students to "multi-sport." The AMA has stats indicating far fewer medical injuries amongst multi-sporters and the NCAA awards 88% of its athletic scholarships to multi-sporters. Food for thought.
Current Events:
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from the Livingston Daily News
10/6/2017
PINCKNEY — Year after year, the Pinckney boys tennis team found itself at or near the bottom of the KLAA West.
That was back before 2009, the program hitting new lows before new management came in that year, tore down the faulty structure and built it back up like they were starring in one of those HGTV shows.
It wasn’t an immediate turnaround, but the two responsible found their perfect fixer-upper.
Those two were Ben Tasich and Francis Diaz. Tasich coached Pinckney tennis from 2009-15 before retiring at 75 years old and handed the reins to Diaz, who led the boys tennis team to perhaps their two best seasons ever, and certainly in recent memory.
“We’ve come a long ways,” said Diaz, who was a volunteer in 2009. “Pinckney tennis was pretty much at the bottom of the KLAA West every season eight years ago. We’ve come a very, very long way.”
From the ground-up, the Pirates were made into a division contender.
Tasich elected to retire following seven seasons of growing the program of “a small school in the cornfields of Pinckney” into what he said in 2016 was the third largest in the 24-team KLAA behind Novi and Northville. Last season, their first under Diaz, the Pirates finished second in the KLAA West for the first time in school history.
This year, now in the SEC White, they are second again and sit at 6-1 overall.
Not only is the team record as impressive as it’s been, but at both singles and doubles the Pirates are cruising. The four singles players have a winning percentage of .800 while the doubles teams aren’t far behind at .730.
“It’s been a long process,” Diaz said. “The fact that Pinckney tennis has improved so much has been nice. It’s been a long time and taken a long time to see the results, but it’s been fun to see the results the last couple of years.”
From 2009-11, the Pirates finished fifth, last and fourth in those years, respectively, while accumulating a combined 10-18 overall record.
However, the pieces were being put together under the radar.
It’s at the lower levels where the two started, creating a middle school program and clinics to attract Pinckney kids to the sport beginning as early as fourth grade. They installed several offseason and in-season programs so that prospective players could play and enjoy the sport throughout all seasons. Eventually, they even added a United States Tennis Association junior program.
“Before, other sports would start earlier than we would, so by the time they got to ninth grade they were committed to those sports,” Diaz said. “These programs have helped to get kids into tennis earlier than they used to be. They’re getting exposure at the (earliest) level.
“Now, we’re getting more kids. And what I love about our kids are that they are in love with the sport. Other coaches have commented about it. Lots of times, I’ll be walking away from practice and 1/3 of the team is still out there hitting the ball on their own. The love of the game has grown and there’s a feeling of pride there.
“They’re proud to be on the Pinckney tennis team.”
It starts with Adam Caplin (17-7), John Tyler (18-4) and Joey Paliwoda (21-4), the team’s No. 1-3 singles players who are the seniors responsible for bringing this year’s team together. Along with No. 4 singles player Sebastian Smith (21-4), the foursome is 77-19 overall.
Strong singles play isn’t something too new in Pinckney, though, as the Pirates have had two standouts recently in Nick Romano, who ventured to the quarterfinals of the Division 2 state playoffs in 2014, and Wilson Wagner, who took over soon after.
That said, never have all four been that successful.
“I love all of my players,” Diaz said, “but the singles have really improved their games.”
The doubles teams aren’t too far in the distance, either.
Pinckney’s No. 3 team of brothers Luke and Darren Walter are 20-5 overall.
“They were both JV players last year, and both progressed to varsity this year,” Diaz said. “I decided early in the season to ask Luke what he thought about playing with his brother … and he was immediately interested. It’s worked out better than I could have expected.”
Trent and Blake Mahnken are also brothers and also having great seasons, albeit not sharing the court. Trent, a senior, is partnered with Jake Slate at No. 2 doubles and the duo is 12-4; Blake, a junior, is at No. 5 or No. 6 doubles with Nathan Warshal and owns a 13-3 record.
“Having brothers on the tennis team is great for two reasons,” Diaz said. “First of all, if a younger brother joins the team, it often indicates the older brother enjoyed being on the team. Secondly, as siblings, they will be able to enjoy playing tennis together for many years after graduation, and hopefully pass on the love of the sport to their children.”
And that’s exactly the culture Tasich and Diaz set out to build, not just at Pinckney High School, but in the community. It took a great deal of time, longer than they perhaps expected and long enough to make Tasich retire, but the Pirates are finally there.
Now, enjoying one of their best seasons, they hope to take the next step.
“We’re going to give it our best shot (in the D2 playoffs),” Diaz said. “It’s a tough regional, but I think our boys are going to do their best. … I’ve told them this before, but they have potential to be very, very good. Maybe one of the best Pinckney teams ever.”
Note from Boy's Coach Francis Diaz 6/17:
2017 Boys High School Tennis Season:
Our goal is to help players improve their tennis fundamentals & strategy while being part of a supportive team. Tennis is a no-cut sport for both boys and girls at Pinckney High School.
JV and Varsity seasons have begun, but there is still time to join; but soon! If your're interested, willing to try hard, and want to be part of a fun program and team, contact Coach Francis today!
Updates and more team info is available by visiting the High School section of this site.
Players must have a physical dated on/after April 15, 2017 to participate in tennis practices/matches.
If you’re interested in joining the Boys Tennis Team, send your name, phone number and email address to the Boys Varsity Coach, Francis Diaz at diazpinckney@aol.com. Team communications occur via email.
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2018 Girls High School Tennis Season:
JV and Varsity start practice the second week of March 2018
Girls Varsity Coach, Nolan Hubbard 734-660-7814 nhubb3@gmail.com
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Pickleball
A combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Played on a court with a center net, with a whiffle ball and paddles. Easy to learn, fun to play. The four west courts at Pathfinder are lined and come Fall (Sept 12) there will be indoor play in the Navigator gym. Tuesday evenings from 7:30-10:00 pm. No experience necessary, loaner equipment available. Come on down.
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Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA)
Open to all in Livingston County who wish to promote tennis in Pinckney and the surrounding area.
PACTA supports tennis activities for all ages including K-12 and adults
PACTA web site: pinckneyareacta.com
PACTA Officers for 2017:
Vince Romano – President Vromano123@gmail.com 810-923-5670
Mark Swanson – Vice President mswanson48@yahoo.com 810 923-4173
Lisa Shmina – Secretary Lashmina@chartermi.net 313-680-9428
Debbie Folk – Treasurer debbief@chartermi.net 810-599-5212
Tennis Tidbits:
Want some free money? : A family has committed a $100 gift card to whoever recruits the most new players to join the hs girl's tennis program next Spring. Get your fingers Facebooking and Twittering... ☺
All Sports Expo: The Pinckney Athletic Department and Boosters will host an All Sports Expo in June at the HS football stadium. A chance to visit with all the sports coaches. In addition, last year we offered a sports equipment swap opportunity. Save and bring any item you wish to donate. A way to recycle your outgrown sports equipment and maybe find something more useful.
Winter Tennis Camps: The Novi Sports Club offers a Friday evening camp for JV and Varsity level kids. Todd Beyer and his tennis pro assistants will again be conducting group tennis lessons at the Novi Sports Club (42500 Nick Lidstrom Dr, Novi, MI 48375) for Pinckney Boys and Girls Tennis Team players. We will run three 5-week sessions on Friday evenings 8:30-10:00 pm as follows:
#1 Session November 10, 17, Dec 1, 8, and 15.
#2 Session Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2 and 9.
#3 Session Feb 16, 23, March 2, 9,16
The Novi Sports Club has offered to waive the Membership fee once again. The cost will be $20.00/class ($100.00 for 5 week session) or if the player is a Program Member $18.00/class ($90.00 for 5 week session). A program membership is $99.00 for one year. Players do not have to be Members to participate in our Friday 8:30-10:00pm clinics. You can pay for the clinic at the front desk of the Novi Sports Club prior to the first session you attend.
Todd will run the JV and Varsity clinic during the same 8:30-10:00 pm time period. Let me know if you want to sign up for the JV or Varsity clinic. Since the JV and Varsity clinics are running at the same time, Todd can adjust the groups as needed based on the abilities he observes.
Todd needs to know how many players will attend by the first week of November so he has the right number of tennis pros to assist. If you want to attend the first Session on November 10, 17, Dec 1, 8, and 15 then send me a reply email by October 31. If you know of 8th graders or other high school students who have an interest in going out for the Pinckney tennis team, tell them they are welcome to attend our JV clinic and have them send me an email.
Summer Adult Lessons: For beginners and "refreshers". The basics: footwork, contact, swing, playing the game. Rackets and balls provided. This is way much fun. Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 at the high school courts. Check the Community Ed Spring brochure for more info and to register.
Tennis and Pizza for ages 20 plus: Community Ed is partnered with the US Tennis Association to offer four free Tennis and Pizza Nights for our 20 & 30 Somethings. "Come Back to the Game Nights.". This was great fun and brought some rackets out of the closet ☺ We'll hope to do it again next Summer.
USTA/Community Ed Under 11 Tennis program: For our "little bits", ages 5-7 and 8-11. Learning the basics of the game: eye-hand coordination, footwork, racket grips and the basic rules of the game. Rackets and balls provided. Six week program to get the kids interested, offered late Winter. Check the Community Ed Spring brochure for more info and to register.
Middle School Tennis: For our "not-so-little-bits anymore", grades 4-6 and 7-8. A right after school tennis program. Learning or improving their game. Rackets and balls provided, just wear tennies and bring your energy. We'll play various games to build eye-hand coordination, footwork and the basic skills of the game. Spring and Fall program, with four weeks beginning mid-April and mid-September. Check the Community Ed Spring brochure for more info and to register.
The PACTA website: can now be accessed from a linkout from the high school boy's and girl's pages on the school's website.
Colleges have facilities and skill advancement options: UM and MSU are right down the road. Men's and women's teams play a simultaneous season. Match attendance is free. Check their websites for details. Their competitive seasons are Sept and Oct, then a break, resuming March, April and May, Many opportunities are available for camps, lessons and team training sessions. Visit their websites for more details. Taking your game to the next level ☺
Cleary University Tennis startup: We have received word that Cleary University in Howell will be initiating a college tennis team program. Read the following note from coach Bob Young: "... In addition to my high school coaching (Walled Lake Western) I am now the Head Coach for men’s and women’s tennis at Cleary University in Howell Michigan. I am starting a new tennis program at the University starting in the Fall. I am currently looking for players who are interested in a Business Degree who want to play tennis at the collegiate level. If any member of your team meets these qualifications please let me know. I would love to talk to them. I do have scholarship money to offer." Contact info is reyjr@comcast.net or 313 701-5095
And lest we forget: This year's Australian Open featured the oldest women's and men's finalists in the history of tennis. A sport for a lifetime!
And, if that's not enough to convince you: An Oxford University nine-year study of 80,000 people in Finland and Australia, found "people who play racket sports were 47% less likely to die over the study period than sedentary people." (Swimmers, reduced by 28%, aerobics by 27%, cyclist by 15%. Running, soccer,and rugby showed no improvements. )
Good true story, as related. One of our local seniors was playing in a tournament in Arizona. His 80+ partner made a great putaway shot at the net. Turning back to the baseline, he heard the shouts. His net partner had keeled over and died right there on the court.
So sad, the baseline player said, but at least he won the point. The message: If ya gotta go, what better way than doing something you love. And, I guess he didn't get the message in the article directly above ☺
Spring Fever/String Fever: As we start to get our rackets and supplies out; think strings. When was the last time you had your racket restrung? Often, and for most of us, its been a long time, if ever. As an instructor for a long time and for all ages, it's frustrating to see players struggle. And sometimes its not the player, it's their equipment. And sometimes it's as simple as the strings on their racket. (Age/quality of the racket aside for the moment.) There are lots of strings out there now. Two I'd avoid for the recreational level: pure gut and polyester. Gut is expensive and prone to fraying. Polyester is must stiffer in tensile, more prone to breaking and needs more frequent restrings. As we think of the process of hitting a ball, slow it down. The actual process is a catch and throw. The ball hits the strings, the racket flexes and the strings and ball give a bit, then rebound, throwing the ball off the strings. It's called Dwell Time. For some reason, I seldom see this stat discussed or revealed. Nowadays you'll see - gut, synthetic gut - multifilament - solid core - twisted core - and all sorts of combinations promising more power, more control, more spin. Think about what these terms mean in terms of how long the ball is on the strings. There is no best string. Time to visit a good tennis shop or club with an onsite stringer. Tell them your style of play. For example, if you tend/like to hit the ball hard, with a stiffer string the ball will spend less time (dwell time) on the strings. But, you'll have less margin for error. If you like to mix in some spin, a softer string will leave the ball on the string a bit longer allowing you to work your magic. And a pro will discuss the proper tension for the intended rebound. A new string job is typically less than $40, including the string. Hey, you're worth it! A note: a good-to-high quality stinging machine can cost up to $10,000 (some even more) and the person using it is well-trained in their art. Side note: I have a 1930 Dayton Sporting Goods racket. A metal racket, wooden handle with no grip tape. Piano wire stringing. Is that where the term "string music" came from? ☺
Racket chatter: While we're at it, rackets are also a limiting factor for many players. Technology has changed, most markedly in the enlarging "sweet spot" for a well-hit ball, i.e. feels solid and goes where you want it to... If you can imagine a racket face, older rackets had a sweet spot about the size of a soft ball. Now many rackets' sweet spot is the size of a cantalope. It can markedly increase the likelihood of success. As for cost, there is truth to an extent that you get what you pay for. Newer rackets are much lighter, which while allowing the pros to hit the ball harder, is also easier on the rec player's wrists and shoulders. That said, visit the tennis shops. Most have demos. Related to the discussion above, a stiffer racket can strike the ball harder, with less margin for error. A more flexible racket holds the ball longer allowing for more control, and spin. All the major manufacturers try to have a range. But, that said, there is no reason for most us to spend more than $75- $100 for a good racket. First, start with your playing style, then determine a proper grip size (sizes range from 4"" diameter and increase by 1/8". As a rule of thumb a smaller grip size is better than a larger, and you can always add grip overtape to increase the size, and clean up its appearance.) Many shops also sell last years models, or demos, on the cheap. I can't overemphasize "try before you buy". I've personally played with probably 100 rackets in the last five years. I've liked, and continue to use two, a Head and a Wilson.
And from what I see on the courts: lots of rec players are using the pre-strung all-gray Head Ti S6 racket, the top-selling Head racket of all time. Light weight, huge sweet spot, i.e. forgiving. And Costco has a Wilson racket: the Tour BLX 103 for $60.00. A very nice racket for a good price.
Recycling: There are tennis ball recycling tubes at the HS and Pathfinder courts. Bring 'em there and we'll collect to send for recycling into...more tennis courts ☺ And, old or outgrown rackets. Contact Mark Swanson at 810 923-4173. They can be recycled into our lesson programs.
PACTA news:
} Pinckney HS tennis changed conferences this Fall. Leaving the KLAA and joining the Southeast Conference. Schools in our division will include Adrian, Chelsea, Dexter, Jackson, Lincoln and Ypsilanti. Its inaugural season has gone quite well. Check the HS section (above) for an update.
} Coach Diaz also encourages all potential and current players to "keep playing", with off-season lessons, leagues and play opportunities. Even getting out on the courts with your friends and family will help. "You can't improve your game with your racket in the closet."
} We hosted our 4th annual Summer USTA Junior Tournament the last Saturday in July. 67 kids, ages U14, U16 and U18 provided some great tennis. Thanks to Kyle Jurzak and Nick Romano for taking the lead on a great event. This is truly a great event, growing in numbers every year. It has truly put Pinckney on the tennis map!
} An aside: The MSU men's and women's teams have donated several hundred slightly used tennis balls to our tennis programs. Go Green!
} Another aside: The Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake (thanks to teaching pro Don Englar and our own Ben Tasich) has donated several hundred slightly used balls and several rackets.
] Boasting news: Our Midwest USTA rep, George Lowe, is resigning his position to be the tennis pro at Grand Traverse Resort. We're so sorry to lose George. He was inspirational and instrumental in our becoming a community tennis association (CTA). At a recent meeting with George he commented that we and Ann Arbor are the most active CTA's in Michigan! How about that! ☺
U10 Tennis Spring 2017
U10 Tennis Spring 2017
See the slideshow below for pictures from our 2016 USTA Pinckney Invitational. Click upper left to play or pause. Right click on a picture if you want to copy it.
Proof: Where tennis balls really come from. ☺
Rackets and ball donations from MSU Men's and Women's teams & Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake
Pinckney USTA Tournament Livingston Press and Argus article 8/2/2016
Anthony Odoardi
PINCKNEY — With the boys tennis season right around the corner, this past weekend marked the perfect time for the KLAA West Division’s third-place team a year ago to get some extra experience under its belt before the year kicks off on Aug. 17.
The still-growing Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association’s third annual United States Tennis Association-sponsored tournament on Saturday and Sunday provided the opportunity for 70 players aged 14-18 from Pinckney, mid-Michigan and even Canada to do just that.
The competition, which upped its participation by 20 players from a year ago, took place at the Pinckney High School and Pathfinder tennis courts over the weekend, and saw even boys and girls divisions go at it throughout the two days.
The tournament was highlighted by a highly-competitive 18-and under division championship match between Pinckney’s No. 1-singles player Wilson Wagner— nearly Livingston Daily’s Boys Tennis Player of the Year a season ago if not for Howell’s Matt Wenzel — and Parma Western’s Austin Burkhart.
The matchup between the two went to a tiebreaker that was won by Wagner.
Wagner got the best of Burkhart once more in 18U doubles, teaming up with partner Adam Flickema of Pinckney to down Burkhart and his partner, Sam Dobben, making it two championship victories for what will surely be one of the county’s best players in the upcoming prep season.
Whereas Parma Western couldn’t best Pinckney in the 18U division, 16-and-under action was dominated by the former school. Jadon Engle of Parma Western was the 16U singles champion, defeating Walled Lake Western’s Joshua Messing, and Engle claimed the doubles title at that age group as well with partner Charlie Dobben.
Pinckney’s Adam Caplin and Joey Paliwoda were the runners-up in the 16U doubles bracket.
In boys 14U singles, it was Noah Fasczewski of Clarkston that was the top dog after he dropped Nathan Hadjiyski of Ann Arbor in Sunday’s bracket finale.
The girls, meanwhile, only had two divisions. That, however, didn’t make things any less competitive.
At the girls 18U division, Fowlerville’s Emily Tersigni and Pinckney’s Hannah Flickema had it out, with the former taking the gold medal. Walled Lake Northern’s Adiya Young owned the girls 16U singles bracket by beating Madison Heights Lamphere’s Makenzie Bowler for the distinction.
Tournament wrap (press release by Coach Diaz):
The Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA) hosted its third annual USTA Tournament this past Saturday and Sunday (July 30 & 31) at the Pinckney High School and Pathfinder tennis courts. Over 70 14-18 year old players from our local area, western Michigan and Canada participated in this tournament. After a rain delay on Saturday which pushed the start of play back to 1:00 pm on that afternoon, players enjoyed competitive matches in Boys U14 Singles, Boys U16 Singles and Doubles, Boys U18 Singles and Doubles,Girls U16 Singles and Girls U18 Singles. The tournament had great support from the family and friends of players. The feedback received on the competitive level of play and sportsmanship was outstanding. Shown below are the names of the Champions and Finalists (2nd place) in each of the seven categories of tournament play.
1) Austin Burkhart (Finalist, 2nd place) and Wilson Wagner (Champion) of the U18 Boys Singles - this was a fantastic match won by Wilson Wagner of Pinckney in an 11-9 tie-breaker in the finals
2) Hannah & Rachel Flickema of Pinckney who participated in the U18 Girls Singles - Hannah was a U18 Finalist
3) Adam Caplin & John Tyler of Pinckney who participated in the U16 Boys Singles. Adam Caplin and Joey Paliwoda of Pinckney were Finalists in Boys U16 Doubles
4) Justin Faulkner & Joshua VanBynen of Pinckney who participated in the U14 Boys Singles
Additional pictures of area tennis are available on the Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA) home page: http://www.pinckneyareacta.com/ Check the High School and Archives sections.
Francis Diaz
Pinckney Boys Varsity Tennis Coach
734-878-5828 or cell phone 810-923-0096
2016 Pinckney USTA Tournament Finalists
(July 30-31 2016)
Boys 18 Singles Champion - Wilson Wagner Finalist - Austin Burkhart
Boys 18 Doubles Champions - Wilson Wagner/Adam Flickema
Finalists - Austin Burkhart/Sam Dobben
Boys 16 Singles Champion - Jadon Engle Finalist - Joshua Messing
Boys 16 Doubles Champions - Charlie Dobben/Jadon Engle
Finalists - Adam Caplin/Joey Paliwoda
Boys 14 Singles Champion - Noah Fasczewski Finalist - Nathan Hadjiyski
Girls 18 Singles Champion - Emily Tersigni Finalist - Hannah Flickema
Girls 16 Singles Champion - Adiya Young Finalist - Makenzie Bowler
Anthony Odoardi
PINCKNEY — With the boys tennis season right around the corner, this past weekend marked the perfect time for the KLAA West Division’s third-place team a year ago to get some extra experience under its belt before the year kicks off on Aug. 17.
The still-growing Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association’s third annual United States Tennis Association-sponsored tournament on Saturday and Sunday provided the opportunity for 70 players aged 14-18 from Pinckney, mid-Michigan and even Canada to do just that.
The competition, which upped its participation by 20 players from a year ago, took place at the Pinckney High School and Pathfinder tennis courts over the weekend, and saw even boys and girls divisions go at it throughout the two days.
The tournament was highlighted by a highly-competitive 18-and under division championship match between Pinckney’s No. 1-singles player Wilson Wagner— nearly Livingston Daily’s Boys Tennis Player of the Year a season ago if not for Howell’s Matt Wenzel — and Parma Western’s Austin Burkhart.
The matchup between the two went to a tiebreaker that was won by Wagner.
Wagner got the best of Burkhart once more in 18U doubles, teaming up with partner Adam Flickema of Pinckney to down Burkhart and his partner, Sam Dobben, making it two championship victories for what will surely be one of the county’s best players in the upcoming prep season.
Whereas Parma Western couldn’t best Pinckney in the 18U division, 16-and-under action was dominated by the former school. Jadon Engle of Parma Western was the 16U singles champion, defeating Walled Lake Western’s Joshua Messing, and Engle claimed the doubles title at that age group as well with partner Charlie Dobben.
Pinckney’s Adam Caplin and Joey Paliwoda were the runners-up in the 16U doubles bracket.
In boys 14U singles, it was Noah Fasczewski of Clarkston that was the top dog after he dropped Nathan Hadjiyski of Ann Arbor in Sunday’s bracket finale.
The girls, meanwhile, only had two divisions. That, however, didn’t make things any less competitive.
At the girls 18U division, Fowlerville’s Emily Tersigni and Pinckney’s Hannah Flickema had it out, with the former taking the gold medal. Walled Lake Northern’s Adiya Young owned the girls 16U singles bracket by beating Madison Heights Lamphere’s Makenzie Bowler for the distinction.
Tournament wrap (press release by Coach Diaz):
The Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA) hosted its third annual USTA Tournament this past Saturday and Sunday (July 30 & 31) at the Pinckney High School and Pathfinder tennis courts. Over 70 14-18 year old players from our local area, western Michigan and Canada participated in this tournament. After a rain delay on Saturday which pushed the start of play back to 1:00 pm on that afternoon, players enjoyed competitive matches in Boys U14 Singles, Boys U16 Singles and Doubles, Boys U18 Singles and Doubles,Girls U16 Singles and Girls U18 Singles. The tournament had great support from the family and friends of players. The feedback received on the competitive level of play and sportsmanship was outstanding. Shown below are the names of the Champions and Finalists (2nd place) in each of the seven categories of tournament play.
1) Austin Burkhart (Finalist, 2nd place) and Wilson Wagner (Champion) of the U18 Boys Singles - this was a fantastic match won by Wilson Wagner of Pinckney in an 11-9 tie-breaker in the finals
2) Hannah & Rachel Flickema of Pinckney who participated in the U18 Girls Singles - Hannah was a U18 Finalist
3) Adam Caplin & John Tyler of Pinckney who participated in the U16 Boys Singles. Adam Caplin and Joey Paliwoda of Pinckney were Finalists in Boys U16 Doubles
4) Justin Faulkner & Joshua VanBynen of Pinckney who participated in the U14 Boys Singles
Additional pictures of area tennis are available on the Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association (PACTA) home page: http://www.pinckneyareacta.com/ Check the High School and Archives sections.
Francis Diaz
Pinckney Boys Varsity Tennis Coach
734-878-5828 or cell phone 810-923-0096
2016 Pinckney USTA Tournament Finalists
(July 30-31 2016)
Boys 18 Singles Champion - Wilson Wagner Finalist - Austin Burkhart
Boys 18 Doubles Champions - Wilson Wagner/Adam Flickema
Finalists - Austin Burkhart/Sam Dobben
Boys 16 Singles Champion - Jadon Engle Finalist - Joshua Messing
Boys 16 Doubles Champions - Charlie Dobben/Jadon Engle
Finalists - Adam Caplin/Joey Paliwoda
Boys 14 Singles Champion - Noah Fasczewski Finalist - Nathan Hadjiyski
Girls 18 Singles Champion - Emily Tersigni Finalist - Hannah Flickema
Girls 16 Singles Champion - Adiya Young Finalist - Makenzie Bowler
New posting: Visit the High School section for the 2016 Boys Fall schedules.
PACTA: notes from Mark Swanson on June 21
PACTA met last night. A question was raised - What is PACTA? The Pinckney Area Community Tennis Association. With a short mission statement - To promote and support tennis for all ages in the Pinckney Area. PACTA was established as a nonprofit to cement an onging commitment to promoting tennis, certify our relationships with Southeastern Michigan and the US Tennis Associations, and enable us to fundraise for tennis.
Fundraising opportunities include PACTA volunteers running the school concession stands, the Summer USTA tournament, USTA grants, parking cars for the Run Through Hell, and others. These funds are used to support the various tennis programs that make tennis a great sport for all ages here in Pinckney.
Pinckney HS Girls Tennis wrapup: A good season with some veteran 4-year seniors leading the way. Looking forward; nine seniors graduated, so next year will be an opportunity for some youngun's to step it up. Lots of summer and off season opportunities to play and compete. Make our Red and Black proud by bringing your A game to Practice #1.
Pinckney HS Boys Tennis: New coaches for Varsity and JV this years adds to the excitement. As detailed in the High School section, there are numerous opportunities for summer play and conditioning. Pinckney High Tennis is proud to be a no-cut sport. If you commit to improving your game, commit to the team, and bring a positive attitude to the courts you'll make the team and play (no bench warmers in tennis!) Make our Red and Black proud by bringing your A game to Practice #1. (Parent meeting - Aug 11, 7-8pm, HS Media Center )
Miscellaneous:
PACTA bought tshirts for the Spring and Fall Middle School tennis programs.
Summer lessons are underway for kids and adults (check the Community Ed brochure or online for details.)
PACTA finances- Several fundraising opportunities are scheduled. More details will follow.
Courtside benches are being planned for the high school courts, as an Eagle Scout project. If you would like to donate to that project contact Lisa Schmina, our JV Coach.
USTA Level 5 Tournament for ages 14-18 is scheduled from July 31-Aug 1. Encourage all area tennis kids to sign up. Great fun and guaranteed play. A Signup Genius will be circulating soliciting help and food donations. Stay tuned.
HS play opportunity: Pinckney HS courts with Coach Nolan, 5:30-7:00, Mondays, 7/11-8/1 (free, coed)
HS play opportunity: Brighton HS courts - five Wednesdays at 5:00, 6/22, 29, 7/13, 20, 27 (free, coed)
HS Conditioning: Pinckney HS Weight Room - Tuesdays 9:00-10:00, 6/21-8/1 (free, boys)
Adult Play opportunity: M/W/F 6:00 at Pathfinder East End courts. Loose format, just show up and play.
Pickleball: A hybrid of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Tuesday evenings at 6 at Pathfinder West Courts. Loaner equipment and free starter lessons. Come on down.
Late breaking news: The Hubbard family has donated funding to purchase two new ball carts for the courts and teams. Thanks ever so...!
PACTA Officers: Chair- Vince Romano, Vice Chair - Mark Swanson, Secretary - Lisa Schmina, Treasurer - Debbie Folk
Pinckney USTA Junior Invitational 2016
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Varsity Coach Francis Diaz, SE Michigan USTA rep Ben Tasich, JV Coach Nolan Hubbard and PACTA VC Mark Swanson
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Nick Romano
2015 PHS graduate and four year tennis team player and captain... is now a freshman playing for Spring Arbor University.
Alternating at #1, Nick has compiled a team leading singles and doubles record as the season winds down.
Visit their website to read more... www.saucougars.com
4/21/16
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University freshman Nick Romano (Pinckney, Mich. / Pinckney HS) earned his first Crossroads League Men's Tennis Player of the Week honor, the league announced on Monday, Apr. 18. Romano went 4-0 for the week as he helped lead the Cougars to wins over Trine University and Olivet College. He teamed up with Jesse DeBoer and posted a pair of dominant 8-2 victories at No. 1 doubles. The Pinckney, Michigan native also two straight set wins at No. 1 singles. Romano has collected a team-high 14 wins in singles competition this season, as well as 10 doubles wins.
Pinckney Area Community Tennis is a site to bring together All Things Tennis for our Pinckney Community.
Pinckney is blessed with 18 courts open to the public when not in use by Pinckney schools for instructional or sports.
This site will include general instructional program information for all ages, communications from the coaches, linkouts for our high school sport schedules, and photos of our community at play. Come back soon! (Linkouts at the bottom of this page.)
Pinckney High School (courts on North side of campus) Pathfinder Middle School (courts are behind school)
Middle School Tennis Camp Spring 2016 Frnnt Row: Zach, Nick, Jacob, Mickey, Josh, Luke, Gavin, Liza< Leo Back Row: Coach Nolan, Coach Matt, Seth, Connor, Sophia, Hannah, Luke, Evan, Chase, Liz, Coach Mark (Shirts donated by PACTA)
Pinckney U10 Tennis
Front Row: AJ, Sienna, Claire, JR, Kellen, Julia, Clare, Camryn, Sheri
Back Row: Haley, Liza, Hannah, Connor, Nathan, Haley, Alec, Chase
Coaches Mark and Matt (Shirts donated by PACTA)
