Tennis Briefs: Miami, USF Win ITA Kick-Off; Ciffoni PTR Award

Miami Women, USF Men Win ITA Kick-Off Weekend, Advance to National Indoors

The University of Miami women and the University of South Florida men won their respective regionals during the eighth annual ITA Kick-Off Weekend, advancing to the 2016 ITA National Team Indoor Championships next month.

At the South Florida Regional the USF men defeated LSU 4-0 in the final to become the lone Florida men’s team to advance to the national indoors. At the Texas Regional the University of Florida men were edged at the final hurdle 4-3 by Texas Tech.

USF sits at No. 13, its highest-ever spot on the ITA Rankings.

“[We said] the standard that you brought yesterday was not the standard that we play at, so we need to step it up,” said USF Head Coach Matt Hill in regard to firing his team up before the final match. “It was unbelievable. This is why you work your tail off to get into the Top 15, so you can host these events, so you can be the No. 1 seed here and have your crowd enjoying and experiencing the level of this team.”

The UM women at the Miami Regional topped Auburn 4-2 to advance to the national indoors.

After losing the doubles point, No. 12-ranked Miami won the first three singles matches to take control of the match and send the Hurricanes to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship for the 12th straight year.

“We had a good little test, losing the doubles point and then having to flip the momentum against a very competitive Auburn team,” Miami Head Coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Our team competed very well, although we need to clean a few things up as we inch closer to national indoors.”

The No. 3-ranked UF women did not participate in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.

For more info go to www.itatennis.com.

Ft. Lauderdale’s Ciffoni Named PTR Florida Member of the Year

Alejandro Ciffoni of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has been named the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Member of the Year for the state, presented to a PTR member who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR.

PTR will present its annual awards during the 2016 PTR International Tennis Symposium, which includes more than 40 educational presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, and will be held Feb. 17-20, 2016 on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Director of Tennis and Fitness at Weston Hills Country Club, Ciffoni earned PTR’s highest rating of Master of Tennis-Performance. Ciffoni serves the organization as a clinician for Performance Certification Workshops. He is also a certified professional in two PTR Education Pathways: Adult Development, and 11 to 17.

Ciffoni played college tennis for Webber International, where he earned a BA with a minor in Sports and Club Management. After graduation, he played on the professional tour, but his quest for education led him back to school for an MBA. Ciffoni is also a High Performance Certified Coach with both the ITF and the USTA. He is Etcheberry Certified in Strength and Conditioning, and an FVT National Coach.

For more info go to www.ptrtennis.org.