WEEK OF 10/19-10/25

News and Notes..... As previously mentioned in earlier posts, http://www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com/ is now fully operational. Please check out this website for info on private and group lessons, new events, adult and junior programs, and league play at our facility and our area. Special kudos goes out to the Powershots, the Under 14 Junior Team Tennis Team that headed to Alabama this week to play in the national tournament. Congrats and go win for Gainesville! A Gazette shout out goes to Benjamin Brandt, who is on that team heading to nationals. Way to go!

Ever wanted to ask questions about some of the rules of tennis? Ever needed some extra advice on certain shots? Well on the new website, you can ask these questions and more with our new ask the pro link!! Type in your question and director of tennis Mike Oransky will answer your question! Check out the website and enjoy! Now on to Junior News.....







JUNIOR NEWS>>>>>> There is a USTA sanctioned Super Series Tournament at Westside Park this Halloween Weekend.. All group and private lessons will be postponed for October 31st and most of the day November 1st. Please check with your instructors on rescheduling. If your child has not ever watched a tennis match played live, this is a great way to get them involved! Come on out and watch some great tennis from some great junior players! The cost is free and best yet, some of the area's kids will be playing in it! Come out and support our kids!

Our Junior Team Tennis kids have been doing a great job this season! Even though the Under 12 Beginner and Intermediate team suffered a loss this past week, the outlook is good said Coaches Robert Taylor and Jon Bongiovanni.. "The goal of this is to have the kids experience playing an actual match and have fun while doing it. If they win, that's just icing on the cake. We are here to ensure that this is a lifelong sport that they enjoy for themselves and with their families."- Robert Taylor While the Under 18 Intermediate and Under 12 Intermediate will enjoy off weeks this week due to the tournament, the Under 12 Beginner team will have a match this Sunday.. If you have some free time, come cheer this young but energetic team on! This writer is sure that they would love it!

Our Junior Clinics have been doing great thanks to parents like you and your wonderful kids as well.. We are looking to expand our clinics at Westside Park to every day.. Be sure to stay in contact with your instructor or Head Pro Robert Taylor about all the new and exciting clinics that will be available for your child to enjoy!

This Friday and Friday only, we at Westside will do a Free Play all day for kids that are doing the tournament... The normal Free Clinic will go on as scheduled, but if your child would like to get in a practice match to warm up before the tournament this weekend, let Robert Taylor know and we will try to set up matches for you! Email him at rt4tennis@gmail.com or you can call 352-376-8250.. See you next week for all the tournament results and more info or clinics!!!!!













ADULT NEWS>>>>>>>> The continuing education classes offered by the University of Florida have concluded. However, we at westside offer group lessons at the same time and the same format as the UF course.. The price is a little more at 12 dollars per clinic, but you get the same great workout and instruction and most importantly, you do not have to wait until January to sign up. You can just keep continuing where you left off. We will help you fit into the right level for you! Anyone interested can call 376-8250 or email rt4tennis@gmail.com. Not in the UF Course, but want to do group lessons! No problem! You get the same great price for the same times as well. We have the schedule of courses and times on our website at http://www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com/ It's a great way to do a fun sport and meet new people!









WOMENS DAY LEAGUE NEWS>>>>>>> Westside Park offers a day league for women who would like to join a team, but do not have time for league play in the afternoons or evenings. We have 3 different levels of teams, a 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 team. Interested??? Email us at oranskym@bellsouth.net or call 376-8250 for more info...

Our 3.0 and 4.0 teams suffered tough losses this week but are ready to rally back and pick up a win in their next matches. 3.0 will be playing at home this Wed. and 4.0 will be playing at Ocala next Tues. Come support each team if you can!! Our 3.5 team picked up an impressive win this past week win a 5-o victory.. Special kudos goes to team captain Maria Tomasaka for great inspiring words and enthusiasm for each team's individual victory. Each one of these great teams is in the middle of the pack for their division, but working their way back to the top! Go get 'em girls! Check out the 3.5 10 S Nuts team's victory here..

Want to see more of the Nuts?? Here's a slideshow from their last match....http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt27/gvilletennisacademy/10%20s%20nuts/?albumview=slideshow

That's it for this week! Next week we will have results from this weekends tournament, more news and notes, and spotlight on Westside Pro Jon Bongiovanni...Take care and see you on the courts!!! :)

WEEKLY GAZETTE...10/19-10/25

Welcome back gazette followers! Due to an overhaul to our system, we were unable to have our edition reach you in time last week. We apologize for the inconvience. We have updated our system and now are ready to give you top notch news rapidly and effeciently! Now, on to the news!!! -Editor in Chief :)

PRO SPOTLIGHT.....ROY MILLER

The gazette presents our weekly pro feature. This week, the gazette focuses on Westside Pro Roy Miller.. Miller, an Ocala native, grew up playing tennis in the gainesville area and went on to play college tennis at the Savannah College of Art and Design.. Let's take a little more in-depth look at this up and coming pro....

Gazette: Thanks for letting us ask you a few questions Roy!

RM: No problem, anything to contribute!

Gazette: At what age did you start playing tennis?

RM: About 11 or 12 years old

Gazette: What made you decide that tennis was your ideal sport?

RM: I enjoyed being out on the court by myself. I loved how you have to figure out things yourself in order to win, not worrying about teammates. Tennis is sort of like boxing, mano y mano, no one can help you. That's what I liked about it.

Gazette: Man, you must be a hard player to beat! Great philosophy to have on the court. What was your most memorable match, win or lose?

RM: Actually, it was a match I lost. I was playing USTA 5.5 match in Los Angeles and the guy I was playing I felt was just top notch. Probably should be a pro. However, I stuck in there, played a great match and took him to three sets, but ended up losing. I felt really good about my game in that match.

Gazette: Awesome! Its great to learn things from a win or a loss.. I hear you are one of the new instructors at Westside. What made you decide to teach?

RM: I just feel like a have a great passion for the game and would like to share that same passion with the kids and adults that I instruct.

Gazette: Who was you tennis idol growing up?

RM: Andre Agassi, without a doubt

Gazette: On a lighter note, what's your favorite food??

RM: Favorite food, Oh my.....EVERYTHING

Gazette: Thats funny Roy! I feel the same way. Final question. Do you have any certain rituals or superstitions that you do before a match?

RM: No real superstitions. I try to hydrate really well, stretch and get a long warm-up so that I'm ready to go when the first ball is struck.

Gazette: Well thank you Roy for letting us into part of your life! We hope to see you at Westside for quite a while.

RM: Thank you!

WEEK IN REVIEW... 10/5-10/11

We are back once again to give you the week in review.. Due to some technical difficulties, we have been delayed a couple of days, but we are up and running once again! Thanks to the wonderful people at Cox whose service is superb.




TOP STORIES........As first mentioned in the earlier blog, our new website is up and operational! Mike Oransky has confirmed that the website is live and will be up to date on current events and services Westside will have. "It's very user friendly and looks great. I hope everyone enjoys the new look and we at Westside are very excited on what the future holds for our facility."- Mike Oransky

Young tennis players wanted!!!! Head Pro Robert Taylor has told us here at the gazette that there are plans in the works to have the city's first PERMANENT quickstart courts. Thats right! Any kids from age 3-10 will be able to use these courts to develop their game and have their very own league similar to their parents league! Robert says, "To have this opportunity to help kids develop thier game is very special to me and to our facility. Kid friendly courts and conviently located in gainesville, this to me will only translate to great things for kids, the game of tennis and self esteem in each child."

JUNIOR SUPER SERIES TOURNAMENT..... The clock is winding down for all you juniors looking to get some tournament play in. Two weeks until the super series here at Westside begins! Please sign up online at http://www.usatennisflorida.com/. Looking to get some match play in before the super series? Come out to our Friday Free Play and play some challenge matches. It's an easy way to get prepared and get some last minute tips before the tournament. Any questions? Contact Robert Taylor at 376-8250 or email him at rt4tennis@gmail.com.

WEEK IN REVIEW...... It was a very interesting week at Westside on all levels of play. In Junior Team Tennis Play, Team Brandt, the Under 12 Intermediate team, played mightily against the team from Jonesville, but was handed a defeat. Coach Bongiovanni said that they definitely are playing hard and playing close matches, but just couldnt get enough points to pull off the match. Tough one guys! Keep praticing and everyone here at the Gazette thinks you will win the next one.. Next match for Brandt Ballers will be Sat. October 24th at 1pm at Westside... Come Support the team and make it a family occasion!!!! The Under 18 Intermediate team suffered its first loss of the season as well, falling to a very veteran 300 club team.. In singles, Kyle Koski played his high school teammate Dean Foster in an epic match. However, when the dust was settled, Dean played a great match and handed Kyle an 8-7 defeat. Great playing by both players. In doubles, the team of Bradley and Garry Cooper played their first match for the season and capped it with an 8-2 win.. Great playing by both players and their attention to moving with the ball won the match for the team said Coach Robert Taylor. Even in defeat, we were able to learn something and I hope it carries over into our next match Taylor added. Next match for this team is Sun October 25th at 6pm at Jonesville Tennis Center. It's a drive, but Coach Taylor hopes to see all the parents and friends of the players come out and watch.. Finally, the young under 12 beginner team led by Coach Taylor is off to a great start!! They won their second match in a row!!! MVP of this match goes to Ivan Esguerra for winning both his singles and doubles matches!!! Kudos goes to Skip Deist and Eric Esguerra for subbing in for Coach Taylor. Next match for this team is Sun. October 18th at 5pm at Westside Park. Come out to see if they can make it 3 in a row!! Also many thanks go to each of the parents who showed up to watch thier kids play in all of Westside's matches this weekend! Keep up the good work parents! It's great to see you involved. It makes the instructor bond with the child so much better if the parents are there and are on the same path with the instructor on how to develop the child in tennis and in life. Check out our slideshow to see these kids in action..http://s594.photobucket.com/albums/tt27/gvilletennisacademy/jtt%20tennis/?albumview=slideshow

Adult News and Notes: Still looking for those 3.0-3.5 women players who are interested in playing some day league tennis... Please call 376-8250 to get more info on getting onto the team!!! The 3.5 team played a very competitive match this past thursday but lost to a tough Haile Plantation team.. The team looked very good and had great shots, we just couldnt come up with the big points in the end said coach Diest. The team is now 2-2 on the year and looking to rebound with a win this thursday... Come support the team!! The 4.0 team suffered its first loss of the year to the DB team last tuesday.. Coach Oransky said, "Congrats goes out to their team. They played really well and did not miss when they had the opportunity to win the point." Chin up high girls!!! You can get em next time! Next match for this team is October 19th in Ocala against the Fort King Scramblers.. Good luck girls!!!

Our group lessons are coming to a close for their 6 week sessions.. We are looking forward to continuing the process through the rest of the year and need you to come out! At only 12 dollars a session, you can't go wrong! Coach Taylor says that he has seen great improvement in both the beginner and intermediate levels. This is a great opportunity for everyone to get into play and potentially into USTA Leagues..

That's it for now!!! Check out the Pro Spotlight on Roy Miller and we will see you next week!!!

WEEKLY GAZETTE... WEEK OF 10/5-10/11

Breaking News.... www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com is now operational!!!! Use this website for information pertaining to lessons, rates, and services for Westside Park. Our goal is not only to bring you quality instruction, but courteous service and new opportunities to expand your tennis horizon! Now on to the news.....

WEEKLY GAZETTE... WEEK OF 9/28-10/4

It's Monday and you know what that means..... OUR WEEKLY GAZETTE!! What a week we had! Junior Team Tennis began this week with all of our teams playing. Our Ladies Day League had matches as well and Combo Leagues were playing on Saturday and Sunday. Westside can't thank you all enough for showing your support and coming out to our wonderful facility to play! The more you play, the happier we are! Keep up the great work. Special thanks to our wonderful staff for getting the information to our patrons and servicing their needs with a smile and the courtesy they deserve... Now, ON TO THE NEWS!!!

JUNIOR NEWS: Junior Team Tennis started off with a big bang this weekend with our Under 12 beginner and intermediate teams playing, as well as our Under 18 intermediate team. The Under 12 intermediate team, coached by our own assistant pro Jon Bongiovanni, faced a strong DB team and lost a very close match on Saturday. You'll get 'em next time team! Next match is this Saturday at 1pm at Jonesville Tennis Center so come and check this young stars out!

Our newly formed Under 12 beginner team and Under 18 intermediate teams began their inaugural seasons in the JTT league with huge wins! The under 12 team played a young but scrappy DB team, but when the dust settled, the kids from westside pulled out the win! Good Job by everyone.. Kudos to Robert Taylor and Skip Deist for coaching this young team! Next match is this Sunday at 4pm at Westside Park. Come and support these young players and cheer them on to victory!

Finally, the under 18 intermediate team played against a very evenly matched DB team.. The doubles courts split with David Liu and Reid Wilson winning a close match 8-5 and the team of Paula Fraisse and Laura Lee Pack playing their hearts out, but falling 8-4 to a solid team. It came down to the singles courts, where Zach Dowd and Kyle Koski played and won both matches. Great win to get the season on the right foot! Coach Robert Taylor believes that this team will learn from each other and grow not only as a team, but their court awareness and strategy will improve as the season progresses... Next match for this team is this Sunday at 5pm at the 300 Club. Come support our teams!

YOUR CHILD NOT IN JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS???? Contact Robert Taylor or Jon Bongiovanni at 376-8250 for more info. Clinics are available monday thru friday in the afternoons. Beginner levels: Mon & Wed at 5:30...Intermediate levels: Tues & Thurs at 5. Don't know your child's level? Call us and schedule an evaluation!

TOURNAMENT NEWS........Westside will be having a Super Series Junior Tournament on OCT.31. Please register your child on the usta florida website at http://www.usatennisflorida.com/ and follow the options screens to register. Our goal is to have every division have a child from gainesville in the tournament. Help us reach our goal! Our Friday Free Play is a great way to get your child some practice matches in to get ready for the tournament. If interested, call 376-8250 and let us know that you would like us to set up a practice match for your child!

ADULT NEWS & NOTES..... Our Ladies' Day League 3.0 & 3.5 teams had matches this week. Each team played hard and hit some amazing shots. The 3.5 team pulled out a great win this week against a very formidable Gainesville Country Club team and our 3.0 had a tough loss against a very wily and experienced 300 Club team. Each team is looking for a win this week as well as our 4.0 team which will play DB this week.. Good luck to all the teams! Clinics and group lessons are offered Monday thru Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings! Come on out and get back into the game....

NEED A WORKOUT WITHOUT THE TECHNIQUE?? TRY CARDIO TENNIS! It's the new way to get a good workout without the gym memberships or worry about hitting a tennis ball ten feet out.....Set to popular music, this one hour lesson will definitely get you moving and playing in no time. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm or Saturday mornings at 9:45 am. Its definitely worth it!!

Next week: Pro spotlight on Jon Vesely, launch date for the new website www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com, news and notes from the week in review!

Final thoughts: "Tennis: a racquet sport in which two people compete to see who has the shortest temper, the worst memory, the poorest eyesight, and the slowest watch"- Author Unknown

See Ya Next Week :)