The Bucks County Tennis Association (BCTA) hosted two competitions at the tennis courts of Council Rock North High School and one at Central Bucks West High School, which enabled players to test their prowess against their peers. During its annual mid-season Team Challenge on July 19, public park players who participated in Seasons 1 and/or 2 of the nonprofit’s outdoor programs enjoyed friendly competition. On July 20 and 21, the BCTA hosted its 22nd annual BCTA Jr. Classic, a USTA-sanctioned tournament for county and tri-state boys and girls in the 14-, 16-, and 18- and-under age divisions. On July 21, the BCTA Double Fortnite Grand Slam teen/adult league celebrated its completion.
Team Challenge
While the BCTA has implemented entry-level competition for many years, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) initiated its Team Challenge pilot program as an introduction to competition that focuses on team play and character development. Team Challenge athletes were identified by their respective BCTA coaches to compete in one of three divisions: Red Ball (recommended ages 7–10 played on 36-foot courts), Green Ball (recommended ages 11–13), or Yellow Ball (recommended ages 14+). The friendly competition highlights teamwork, sportsmanship, and skill development in a fun social environment.
For each division in the event, two teams were formed and teammates created their name, after which each team vied for medals as well as sportsmanship awards. Team champions and runners-up were determined by total team scores that were accumulated during round-robin matches and special “bonus rounds” of Team Singles and Team Tennis Sandwich in the Green and Red Ball, respectively, with loud cheers for “the last player standing” and the first team to finish. BCTA coaches and volunteers were on hand to guide players and matches, and a number of parents and high school volunteers helped with scorekeeping in the Red and Green Ball divisions.
Yellow Ball Division Results:
Gold medal: Southern/Central Bucks (64 games)
Silver medal: Northern/Central Bucks (50 games)
Yellow Ball Division Teams
Northern/Central Bucks
Adrianna Shantzer, Aidan Elhyani, Anastasia Korshun, Grace Byrne, Keira Calista, Leah Jiorle, Swaroopa Paratkar
Southern/Central Bucks
Braeden Toadvine, Claire Titus, Daria Zhukova, Emily Ferris, Julian Corbin, Luke Moore, Tyler Brown, Vincent Malizia
Red Ball Division Results:
Gold medal: Southern/Central Bucks Smashing Phillies (215 points)
Silver medal: Southern Bucks Black Magic (186 points)
Red Ball Division Teams
Northern/Central Bucks Black Magic
Gia Patel, Kevin Feng, Lucy Welsh, Vera Duntzee
Southern/Central Bucks Smashing Phillies
Connell Souders, Marlo Mielke, Noble Jolly, Yasmeen Chaudhary
Green Ball Division Results:
Gold medal: Northern/Central Bucks Red Hawks (199)
Silver medal: Southern Bucks Silver Black Tigers (158)
Green Ball Division Teams
Northern/Central Bucks Silver Black Tigers
Addison Strawser, Evaleigh Homa, Lincoln Kusters, Lucas Munn, Rosalyn Homa, Shane Riso.
Southern Bucks Red Hawks
Gaven Philp, Hunter Gallagher, Noah Lutz, Ruda Patel, Thomas Cronin, Vivian Bender