UCA Women's Tennis Team Ends Season with First Round Loss to Southeastern Louisiana at Southland Conference Tournament

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Women's Tennis Team ended its 

season with a first round loss at the Southland Conference Tennis 

Tournament to top-seeded Southeastern Louisiana. The Sugar Bears 

put up a fight, but fell to the Lady Lions by a score of 4-2.


The Lady Bears finished the season with a below .500 record of 12-14 

overall and 3-6 in conference play.  

Team members include Krizia Buck, Anna Buyukyan,     
Stephanie Gonzalez Valero, Kristina Horsikyan, Simona Horsikyan, Allison Murphy, Sasha Ruocco, and Bianca Strukelj.  

Serena Williams inches by Maria Sharapova for record sixth Miami title

(Reuters) - World number one Serena Williams fought back from a set down to beat Maria Sharapova 4-6 6-3 6-0 and win the Sony Open for a record sixth time on Saturday as she continued her dominance over her closest rival.

With the win, Williams, who struggled with her serve in the first two sets, becomes only the fourth woman in the Open era to win the same WTA tournament six times, joining Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

"I finally have some record," Williams said. "Like it's really cool. I can't seem to catch up with Margaret Court or Steffi or anything. I'm really happy to have something right now, so it's exciting.

"I had my chances. There's no reason why I couldn't win the match today," said Sharapova, who dismissed any suggestion of a psychological weakness against Williams.

"It was a step in the right direction and there's no doubt that we'll be playing many more times. There's no doubt I'll be able to beat her."

"Maria played really the best I have seen her play, and I think she was moving unbelievable and she was hitting winners from everywhere. .... How did I end up winning when I actually wasn't on top of my game?"

Andy Murray goes to #2 in the ATP World Rankings with Miami tie-break win over Ferrer

(Reuters) - Britain's Andy Murray defeated Spain's David Ferrer 2-6 6-4 7-6 in a grueling and enthralling Sony Open final on Sunday to move above Roger Federer to second in the world rankings.

Murray was far from at his best against a dogged Ferrer but won the tie-break 7-1 after surviving a scare when the Spaniard had match point at 6-5 up, with Murray serving, in the third.

 

Murray's forehand landed close to the line and he faced a challenge from Ferrer, who called out rather than play the shot, but the ball was shown in, and the Scot won the next two points to force the tie-break.

"It was such a tough match, it could have gone either way, both of us were struggling physically at the end," said Murray whose victory was his second at Miami following his triumph in 2009.

"It's so tough against him. He has a great attitude, he's a great fighter. I am sure we will have more tough matches in the future."

FREE Conway Junior Tennis Program Begins Its Spring Session

The FREE Conway Junior Tennis Program begins its 2013 Spring Session.

This program is a 6-week session designed for ages 7 to 14 years old and meets every Tuesday and Thursday.

Call the Pinnacle Tennis Academy at 501-570-6755 or email pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com

FREE Cabot Junior Tennis Program Starts March 4th

The Free Cabot Junior Tennis Program begins its Spring 2013 Session on Monday, March 4th and continues on every Monday and Wednesday. This 6-week tennis lesson plan by Pinnacle Tennis Academy that meets as an afterschool program is free for children ages 7-14. Contact Chuck at pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or call the office at 501-570-6755.

Tone Up with Tennis!!! Get Fit Today!

If you are looking for a fun, challenging way to lose weight and tone your body, then try tennis! Spending extra time on a tennis court chasing a little yellow ball will give you toned legs, sculpted arms, and a killer core while having fun, too.

Here are some of the benefits of tennis for weight loss and body tone...

- Tennis is a sport that really requires you to keep moving. The more you move, the more calories you burn. As you dash around the court chasing the ball, you will be running, jumping, hopping and skipping without even realizing it.

- Tennis conditions your body not only for weight loss, but also for building up lean, strong muscles as well. You do not have to lose weight to play tennis, or be conditioned in any way, because a great deal of the conditioning will come from the game play itself.

- Tennis easily burns more calories than walking or running and better conditions your body as well. Because tennis involves moving around to catch the ball, using your arms to swing your racquet and using your abdominals to power your swings, you are using a large part of your entire body all at once.

- Tennis is easily one of the most enjoyable activities for weight loss that you can participate in. So get your friends together and have some fun. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish by using tennis as a weight loss strategy!

Whether or not you’re trying to lose weight, tone your muscles or simply stay fit, tennis is a great way to have fun, socialize and burn calories. All physical activity burns calories, even activities like standing, sitting and sleeping.

To learn more about the Game of Tennis and the Health Benefits that  You can Enjoy,  Call Chuck at 501-570-6755 or Email- pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com

World Class Pro Tennis Comes to Memphis on February 16-24

The Racquet Club of Memphis is the only private club in the world to host a professional ATP Men's 500 Series Event and WTA Women's International Event as a combined indoor tennis event.

The 2013 U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships will be played February 16-24, 2013.

The men's draw will feature the young rising star Milos Raonic of Canada and our own Southern tennis star John Isner. Another Southern Favorite will be Jamie Hampton of Alabama who will compete in the women's draw. For tournament details please visit www.memphistennis.com or call (901) 765-4401.

Women's College Tennis Updates- UALR Defeats UCA

Univ. of Arkansas at LR Defeats Univ. of Central Arkansas 5-2 
Jan 24, 2013 at North Little Rock, Ark.

Singles competition:
#1. Luksich, Veronique (UALR) def. Simona Horsikyan (UCA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
#2. Allison Murphy (UCA) def. Plyuta, Viktoriya (UALR) 6-4, 6-4
#3. Kakovkina, Yana (UALR) def. Krizia Buck (UCA) 6-4, 6-2
#4. Vorster, Dané (UALR) def. Kristina Horsikyan (UCA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
#5. Galieva, Kamilla (UALR) def. Sasha Ruocco (UCA) 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
#6. McShane, Michaela (UALR) def. S. Gonzalez-Valero (UCA) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition:
#1. Kakovkina, Yana/Plyuta, Viktoriya (UALR) def. Krizia Buck/Allison Murphy (UCA) 8-7
#2. Simona Horsikyan/Sasha Ruocco (UCA) def. McShane, Michaela/Luksich, Veronique (UALR) 8-7
#3. Kristina Horsikyan/Anna Buyukyan (UCA) def. Vorster, Dané/Amsallem, Christel (UALR) 8-6

Tennis Anyone? Looking for a USTA League Team to Join? Contact Pinnacle Tennis Academy

Are you new in town?

Wanting to play competive tennis but need more people to create a team? Needing to fine tune your game? We are here to help!

Call Pinnacle Tennis Academy at 501-570-6755 or Email- pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com for more details

Tennis Lessons- Adults and Juniors by Pinnacle Tennis Academy in Conway, Arkansas

Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced tennis programs are offered with a FREE Introductory Tennis Lesson Special by Pinnacle Tennis Academy for all adults/juniors wanting to learn more about the game.

Women Tennis Clinics and Junior Tennis Camps are also continuing throughout the year.

Email- pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or Call the office at 570-6755 for more details.

2012 USTA Arkansas Award Winners

2012 USTA Arkansas Award Winners

 Hall of Fame- David Kossover

The Herschel Friday Award -Julio Olaya – Little Rock, Mary Wright – Hot Springs

The Jay Freeman Most Improved Player Award- Jackson Davis - Jonesboro, Catherine Nettle – Bentonville

Dr. Ted Bailey Sportsmanship Award- Branch Terrell – Benton, Katie Branum – Jonesboro

Henry Doyle Outstanding Senior- John Andrews – North Little Rock

Victor Sheshunoff Meritorious Education Award- Jared Ward– Bella Vista

Arkansas Tennis Professional of the Year- Gary Jones - Jonesboro

Patrick M. Riley Umpire of the Year- Bynum Matthews - Maumelle

Arkansas Tennis Family of the Year- Fess Family - Little Rock

 Member Organization of the Year- Otter Creek Racquet Club

Barbara Brewer Community Service Award- Abby Davis – Russelville

Adult Tournament of the Year- Tre' Day.com "Labor of Love" Charity Classic

Junior Tournament of the Year- Jr. Team Tennis State Championship 2012

 Special Tennis Event of the Year- Creekmore Tennis Center- Tennis Night In America- Fort Smith

Arkansas/Ft. Smith Senior Women's 4.0 Team is Finalist at USTA League National Championships

The 2012 USTA League 4.0 Senior Women's National Championships took place this weekend in Indian Wells, California. The Arkansas Team from Ft. Smith representing the Southern Section took 2nd Place at the event. The Ft. Smith team captained by Anita Woodard lost 2-1 to a Southern California team from Mission Hills in the finals.The scoring went as follows:

#1 Dbls-Nancy Portolesi/Lisa McIntosh(So.Cal) defeated Teresa Goodnoh/Kim Delatin(Ark) 7-6,6-4
#2 Dbls-Shelly Hollis/Dawn Stovall(Ark) defeated Lori Romania/Carolyn Roberts(So.Cal) 6-3,6-7,1-0
#3 Dbls-Manuela Andrews/Muysuko Komuro(So.Cal) defeated Kim Wofford/Janice Taylor(Ark) 6-0,6-3

In order to reach the finals, this Arkansas Team defeated a very good team from the Middle States Section captained by Carol Vukelich in the semifinals 2-1 with Goodnah/Delatin and Hollis/Stovall winning at #2 & #3 Doubles.

Congratulations to another great Arkansas team that had to win a very difficult Southern Sectional Championship event in order to advance to Nationals!!!

Team members include Anita J. Woodard, Kim E. Delatin, Dawn W. Stovall, Janice K. Taylor, Meg Canfield, Trudy E. Hindley, Teresa R. Goodnoh, Loretta J. Wilson, Kim Wohlford, Shelly Hollis, and Mary E. Kennemer.

At Faulkner County Tea Party Meeting, Mark Vaught Proposed New Admin Bldg, Laughed At For Lack of Funding

Mark Vaught, Conway City Alderman, proposed the building of combined administrative offices for the city and county at a tea party meeting. With the city budget already overstressed by excessive funding of numerous projects, the crowd laughed at this "Jackass of a Proposal" by expressing doubt that the city could afford such a project.

To the right is a copy of the transcript of the meeting by Log Cabin Democrat (thecabin.net) Reporter, Becky Harris. Presently. the city budget has not been able to provide pay raises for its hard-working employees including firemen and policemen, much less a new administration building..... Mark Vaught is now seeking a Faulkner County position this election season. The Faulkner County offices have always acted responsibly and efficiently and don't need Vaught mismanaging county budgets too!!!.......Political Ad Paid For By: Citizens For Responsible Gov't

Reed Churchill and Lindsy Pearce Top Arkansas Junior Tennis Rankings

Reed Churchill (pictured above) of Fayetteville and Lindsy Pearce (pictured below) of Fort Smith lead the Arkansas Juniors with the #1 ranking in the Boys 18s and Girls 18s divisions, respectively. Other top-ranked juniors are as follows: Boys 16s-Jake Jacoby....Girls 16s-Emily Metcalf....Boys 14s-Marshall Ney....Girls 14s-Alye Darter....Boys 12s-Brandon Lupinek....Girls 12s-Maddie McKee.....Below is the list of the Top 10 players in each division:.

Boys 18s-1.Churchill, David Reed 2.Guy, Cole Chapman 3.Sheppard, Jordan 4.Cramer, Taylor 5.Henry, Kyle 6.Olaya, Julio R. 7.Jacoby, Jake 8.Terrell, Branch 9.Street, Nathan S. 10.Lundstrum, Luke......

Girls 18s-1. Pearce, Lindsy 2.Tang, Tiffany 3.Wright, Mary 4. Metcalf, Emily Ann 5.Lefler, Julia E. 6. Tarwater, Annie 7.Coopersmith, Nicole 8.Beaver, Alexis 9.Jackson, Katelyn 10.Beetstra, Margaret A.

Boys 16s- 1 Jacoby, Jake 2 Brandon, Trent 3 Talbert, Matt 4 Deluca, Dylan 5 Greer, Grayson S. 6 Bell, Nicholas S. 7 Kamath, Sameer G. 8 Miller, Andrew John 9 Mathis, Christian K. 10 Stewart, Cory Scott

Girls 16s- 1 Metcalf, Emily Ann 2 Allen, Meg E. 3 Branum, Katherine 4 Darter, Alye 5 Beaver, Alexis 6 Coopersmith, Nicole 7 Tarwater, Annie 8 Tang, Katherine 9 Tabler, Mallory 10 Moore, Michelle Liann

Boys 14s-1 Ney, Marshall Smith 2 Kauffman, Spencer 3 Harrison, Hunter Matthew 4 Hill, Jack Henry 5 Cain, Robert 6 Riser, Stuart 7 MacKey, Connor 8 Keith, Patrick 9 Edwards, Sam 10 Mallioux, Trevor

Girls 14-1 Darter, Alye 2 Rice, Tatum Brooke 3 Tang, Katherine 4 Baker, Emma 5 Coopersmith, Nicole 6 Nettle, Catherine Mary 7 Ward, Kami Rave 8 Gray, Ashley 9 Shah, Kruti 10 Lazovich, Luna

Boys 12s-1 Lupinek, Brandon D 2 Bridges, Jacob Pearcy 3 Barnett, Wesley 4 Rogers, Foster 5 Rouse, Eli Jonesboro 6 Chakka, Anil 7 Weeks, Steven Douglas 8 Henry, Payne Bryant 9 Johnson, Conner Nicklaus 10 Nolan, Henry

Girls 12s-1 McKee, Maddie 2 lucas, margaret porter 3 Rice, Thea Hale 4 Jackson, Lilly 5 Maurras, Evelyn 6 Roper, Hunter 7 Hughes, Avery 8 Worsham, Shelby 9 Killingsworth, Brooke Elizabeth 10 Hafner, Cameron .... 20 Jones, Holly Kate

Article submitted by: Chuck Cavin

Mark Vaught Causes City of Conway Layoffs, Payroll Freezes, and Offers No Answers for Plant Closures

Mark Vaught, Conway's City Councilman, causes city workers to suffer from layoffs, payroll freezes, and offers no answers for plant closures. City employees including policemen and firemen suffered from layoffs and no pay raises over the last 4 years. In fact, Conway fireman Damon Reed and Conway policeman Richard Shumate recently sued the city for failure to provide pay raises promised them from a 1/4 % sales tax (Read- Arkansas Business article by Kate Knable on October 1,2012 of Russell Wood Law Firm lawsuit on behalf of city workers). Mark Vaught has mismanaged the city's finances to a point where the city desperately needed the sales tax revenue to pay for Vaught's excessive spending measures (Read- Log Cabin Democrat article by Becky Harris on Vaught's Admin Bldg proposal at Tea Party/Quorum Court Meeting).

Vaught says that he supports families and children , but in reality Vaught has caused severe pain and agony to families and children of city employees by causing layoffs and no pay raises for them.

Severe job losses from plant closures and layoffs at IC Corp / Amtran / Ward Bus, SAS Shoe plant/ San Antonio Shoe Company, Virco Manufacturing, and For-Mor Distribution also caused workers and families to suffer during Mark Vaught's tenure as city official. People feel like Vaught did not do enough to save these jobs.....Vaught is now seeking a Faulkner County position.

 We do not want Vaught causing job instability, inefficiency, and lawsuits at the county level!!!

Political Ad Paid For By: Citizens for Responsible Govt

Mark Vaught's Overspending Causes City of Conway's Financial Woes

To the Left: The Condition of the City of Conway Finances Before Mark Vaught Took Office....... To the Right: The Condition of the City of Conway Finances After Mark Vaught Leaves Office....... Job Performance Matters!!! We don't need Mark Vaught causing Financial Ruin at the Faulkner County level!!!........Political Ad Paid For By: Citizens For Responsible Govt

Jake Jacoby and Jacqueline Carr Lead the Arkansas Juniors in 2012 Southern Tennis Rankings

Jake Jacoby of Little Rock and Jackie Carr of Rogers are the top-ranked Arkansas Juniors in the Southern Section of the United States Tennis Association. Currently, Jake Jacoby is ranked #10 in the Southern Boy's 16s and Jacqueline Carr is ranked #8 in the Southern Girl's 16s...........Other Arkansas Juniors ranked in the Top 100 of the Southern Section are as follows..........

Boys 18s-#36 Olaya, Julio R.;#44 Cramer, Taylor;#62 Guy, Cole Chapman;#79 Crawford, Austin;#91 Churchill, David Reed;#94 Sheppard, Jordan..........

Girls 18s-#11 Wright, Mary;#58 Jackson, Katelyn;#98 Tang, Tiffany..........

Boys 16s-#10 Jacoby, Jake;#56 Brandon, Trent;#89 Mathis, Christian K..........

Girls 16s-#8 Carr, Jacqueline Ariana;#19 Jackson, Katelyn;#44 Metcalf, Emily Ann;#72 Tang, Tiffany;#100 Tarwater, Annie..........

Boys14s-#13 Mendelsohn, Maxwell Lawrence;#50 Ney, Marshall Smith;#88 Harrison, Hunter Matthew;#89 MacKey, Connor;#96 Cain, Robert;#97 Riser, Stuart;#98 Kauffman, Spencer..........

Girls 14s-#9 Coopersmith, Nicole;#23 Rice, Tatum Brooke;#56 Darter, Alye;#71 Tang, Katherine ..........

Boys 12s-#14 Chakka, Anil;#25 Barnett, Wesley;#56 Bridges, Jacob;#58 Humphries, Zachary;#69 Lupinek, Brandon;#70 Rogers, Foster;#85 Johnson, Conner Nicklaus;#88 Rouse, Eli;#92 Weeks, Steven Douglas..........

Girls 12s-#13 Rice, Thea Hale;#44 lucas, margaret porter;#66 McKee, Maddie;#73 Roper, Hunter;#76 Jackson, Lilly;#86 Hafner, Cameron

Article submitted by: Chuck Cavin, Pinnacle Tennis Academy

Mark Vaught, Conway Politician and Rec Tennis Player, Caught Dumpster Diving

Mark Vaught, Conway Politician and Recreational Tennis Player, was caught dumpster diving. City Alderman Vaught along with other city officials misappropriated city revenues causing a huge budget shortfall. Desperately needing cash reserve funds, Vaught and his cohorts raided Conway Corp's Sanitation reserves in order to balance the city's checkbook. Mark Vaught is now seeking a Faulkner County position. The county offices have always acted responsibly and efficiently and don't need Vaught bouncing checks in their departments......Political Ad Paid For By: Citizens For Lower Taxes

Free Conway Junior Program by Pinnacle Tennis Academy Begins its Fall 2012 Session on Sept. 11th

The Free Conway Junior Tennis Program begins its Fall 2012 Session on September 11th. This 6-week tennis lesson plan by Pinnacle Tennis Academy that meets as an afterschool program is free for children ages 7-14. Contact Chuck at pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or call the office at 501-570-6755.

FREE Cabot Junior Tennis Program by Pinnacle Tennis Academy Starts September 12th

The FREE Cabot Junior Tennis Program starts September 12th. This program is a 6-week session designed for ages 8 to 13 years old. Call the Pinnacle Tennis Academy at 501-570-6755 or email pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com

FREE Conway Junior Tennis Camp Starts Summer II Session on July 16th

The Central Arkansas Tennis Association (CATA)is sponsoring The Free Conway Junior Tennis Program as it continues with its Summer II Session on July 16th. This 3-week tennis lesson plan is free for children ages 6-14. Contact Chuck at pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or call the office at 501-570-6755.

Free Conway Junior Tennis Program begins its Summer I Session on June 12th

The Free Conway Junior Tennis Program begins its Summer I Session on June 12th. This 3-week tennis lesson plan is free for children ages 6-15. Contact Chuck at pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or call the office at 501-570-6755.

UALR Lady Trojan Tennis Team Ends Season With Defeat In SBC Tournament But Wins 4th Straight SBC Academic Award

UALR Women's tennis team suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Troy in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the Waranch Tennis Complex at the University of North Texas. However, the UALR Lady Trojans tennis team (pictured above at the award's banquet) won its fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference Team Academic Award prior to the start of the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Tennis Championships. The Trojans' 3.75 GPA as a team over the last year was the best among all SBC women's tennis teams. In the finished singles matches, Olfa Dhaoui(Troy) topped junior Yana Kakovkina(UALR), and Candela Munoz Giron(Troy) defeated freshman Michaela McShane(UALR), and Rosaura Ramirez-Vega(Troy) picked up the last win needed to seal the victory for Troy by defeating freshman Alina Kolegova(UALR). Prior to singles, Troy took two of three doubles to score the forth point. The Trojans' 13 wins this season were the most by a UALR squad since the 2006-07 team went 18-9 on the year. Without a senior on its roster, UALR returns all seven of its letter winners for the 2012-13 season. Team members include Alina Kolegova, Yana Kakovkina, Alla Kravchuk, Evgeniya Gracheva, Michaela McShane, Veronique Luksich,Viktoriya Plyuta, and Coach Abby Wilson.

FREE Conway Junior Tennis Program Starts March 6th

The Free Conway Junior Tennis Program continues with its Spring Season on March 6th. This 8-week program is an After-School Program on Tuesday/Thursday of each week and is free for children ages 6-14 for anyone within the Conway Area Tennis Community. Contact Chuck at pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or call the office at 501-570-6755. Sponsored by Central Arkansas Tennis Association.

Tennis Lessons-Adults & Juniors in Cabot Arkansas

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced tennis programs are offered with a FREE Introductory Tennis Lesson Special by Pinnacle Tennis Academy  for all adults/juniors wanting to learn more about the game.

Women Tennis Clinics and Junior Tennis Camps are also continuing throughout the year.

Email- pinnacletennisacademy@gmail.com or Call the office at 501-570-6755 for more details.