by Alan Williams, USTA Florida local league coordinator

Fishhawk, Plant City 18 & Over Teams Advance to USTA League Nationals

August was a good month for two Hillsborough County teams at the USTA Florida 18 & Over League Sectionals in the Lake Nona region of Orlando.

Plant City’s men’s 5.0+ and Fishhawk’s women’s 3.0 team both advanced to USTA League Nationals. Plant City, captained by Rick Beardsley, went undefeated to capture the men’s 5.0+ title, defeating four other teams from around the state.

The Fishhawk women, led by captain Jackie Caouette, didn’t drop a match en route to downing Broward County in the finals 4-1.

In October the USTA League Men’s 5.0+ Nationals will be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, and the USTA League Women’s 3.0 Nationals in Surprize, Ariz. Good luck to all!

2018 Hillsborough, Pinellas Counties USTA Leagues Signing Up Now

2018 will bring in another great year of USTA League tennis for Region 3 Hillsborough/Pinellas counties.

USTA Leagues offer local league competition for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Players can now search for leagues locally on the USTA Florida Leagues webpage.

USTA Leagues is the largest recreational tennis league in the world, with most leagues offering advancement to sectional (state) and national championships. Meet people at your own skill level and enjoy getting active, socializing with friends, and improving your game.

Established in 1980, USTA League has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year to more than 904,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis league. The league groups players by using six National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 5.0 (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 18 years of age or older.

To view 2018 leagues available in the Hillsborough/Pinellas areas go to www.ustaflorida.com/contacts/alan-williams/.