March 7th, 2018
USTA Florida League Cup ‘Warriors’ Broward County Celebrate, Target Third Straight in 2018
Broward County USTA League championship teams last weekend held a celebration to commemorate their second straight USTA Florida League Championship Cup, winning more league sectional titles than any other county in Florida.
More than 35 captains and players gathered for tennis and a celebratory lunch at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation.
“It was fun tennis and an opportunity for county players to meet socially, share experiences, and play with others they don’t normally share a court with,” said Broward-area USTA Florida Local League Coordinator Maria Miro. “Thank you to the management and staff of the Frank Veltri Tennis Center for allowing the USTA Florida League Championship Cup celebration to be hosted at their facility and for being a staunch supporter of USTA adult league tennis.”
Broward’s balanced success in 2017 saw them win four men’s and four women’s titles spanning the 18 & Over, Combo 18 & Over, 40 & Over, and 55 & Over USTA League age divisions.
The eight Broward County sectionals championship teams hailed from:
* Dillon Tennis Center, Oakland Park (18 & Over women’s 4.0, 40 & Over women’s 4.0)
* Frank Veltri Tennis Center, Plantation (Combo women’s 6.5)
* Midtown Athletic Club, Weston (18 & Over women’s 3.5)
* Quigley Park, Parkland (40 & Over men’s 4.0, 55 & Over men’s 4.0/4.5)
* Weston Tennis Center, Weston (40 & Over men’s 3.5)
“I created the brand ‘Los Guerreros’ [The Warriors] and there is a sense of belonging to that name within the team players,” said Weston captain Jack Vargas. “It is a combination of many things — dedication, commitment, discipline, communication management, and the friendship in the group. We socialize as a group, and we have respect for the tennis.”
Miro says the key to Broward’s success lies in long-time volunteer team captains who have their pulse on the tennis community.
“The hard work and dedication the captains have shown in developing consistent winning teams over the years has been incredible,” said Miro, who challenged the group to win a third Cup title in a row in 2018. “Our county has a very low captain turnover, which translates into consistent team management and becomes a winning formula for having a loyal and dedicated player base.”
Close behind Broward’s eight titles were Duval County with seven, and Hillsborough County with six (see full standings below). In 2016 Broward needed only six titles to claim the Cup, one ahead of both Orange and Pinellas counties in second place that year.
Each Broward sectionals-winning club will next receive the Cup for one week, after which the Cup will be displayed at the USTA Florida headquarters in Orlando.
2017 USTA FLORIDA LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP CUP FINAL STANDINGS
1. Broward County (8 titles) — 55&Over-M4.0/M4.5, 40&Over-W4.0/M4.0/M3.5, 18&Over-W4.0/W3.5, Combo 18&Over-W8.5
2. Duval County (7) — 65&Over-W6.0, 55&Over-W3.0/W4.0, 18&Over-M3.0/W2.5, X18&Over-7.0, Combo 18&Over-W5.5
3. Hillsborough County (6) — 65&Over-M8.0, 40&Over-W4.5+, 18&Over-W3.0/M5.0+, Combo 50&Over-M8.5, Combo 18&Over-M8.5
4T. Marion County (4) — 65&Over-M7.0, 55&Over-M3.0, Combo 50&Over-M6.5/M7.5
4T. Miami-Dade County (4) — 40&Over-W3.0/W4.5+, 18&Over-M4.0/M4.5
4T. Orange County (4) — 55&Over-W4.5, 40&Over-W3.5, 18&Over-W5.0+/M3.5
4T. Pinellas County (4) — X40&Over-8.0/9.0, x18&Over-9.0, Combo 18&Over-W9.5
8T. Leon County (3) — X40&Over-7.0, 40&Over-M4.0, Combo 18&Over-M5.5
8T. Seminole County (3) — 18&OverW4.5, Combo 18&Over-W6.5, Combo 18&Over-W7.5
10T. Collier County (2) — 65&Over-W8.0, 55&Over-W3.5
10T. Martin County (2) — 65&Over-W7.0, Combo 50&Over-W6.5
10T. St. Johns County (2) — Combo 50&Over-W8.5, Combo 18&Over-M6.5
13T. Alachua County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Brevard County (1) — X18&Over-10.0
13T. Clay County (1) — 55&Over-M3.5
13T. Escambia County (1) — Combo 50&Over-W7.5
13T. Okaloosa County (1) — X18&Over-6.0
13T. Polk County (1) — Combo 18&Over-M7.5
13T. Volusia County (1) — X40&Over-6.0
USTA Florida League Championship Cup winners:
2017 — Broward County
2016 — Broward County
USTA Florida league teams are forming now, to find a league in your area go to www.ustaflorida.com/local-contacts/?contact_program=usta-leagues.
