Summer Serve 2026 by ustamissourivalley

• NATIONAL TENNIS MONTH

• OFFICIALS APPRECIATION

• 50TH WHEELCHAIR

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

• TENNIS ON CAMPUS

USTA Missouri Valley publishes Serve three times per year, focusing specifically on the members and events in the section. All material is copyrighted USTA Missouri Valley, unless otherwise noted. Your feedback is welcomed. USTA Missouri Valley 4121 W 83rd Street I Suite 108 Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 usta.com info@movalley.usta.com (913) 322-4800 For questions about your USTA membership, please contact USTA Customer Care at 1-800-990-USTA or customercare.usta.com

We have so much to be excited about as we approach our busiest time of year! First and foremost, we are the world’s healthiest sport, and we continue to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere. The recent PAC study for USTA Missouri Valley shows that our total player count remains roughly 40% above the pre-pandemic participation average. We’re seeing excellent momentum with beginning tennis players increasing by 21.4% versus 2024, reaching 0.2 million new players in 2025. This growth, coupled with 872,000 “very interested” prospects in the section, highlights a massive opportunity to further expand our sport. See pages 12-13 for more.

We will continue to build on that momentum through 2025 and beyond! Growing 10 million players in 10 years may seem ambitious, but we are turning that ambition into ACTION! We have shifted and expanded staff in the players, coaching education, and improving our facilities through a dedicated effort with Tennis Venue Services. This is especially vital as the majority of play (49%) occurs at a public park. We believe in growing a sport that is open to all, supported by diverse growth across all minority segments. Look for enhanced opportunities to continue playing, learn how to become a coach and teach new players, improve your current coaching skills with additional education opportunities, and serve our communities by volunteering and collaborating with your local CTA, NJTL, park, or high school. We believe in the power of tennis to create human connections.

Connect with us! Find your passion! Let’s impact your community together!

When coaches thrive, tennis thrives

USTA Coaching offers a connected, inclusive community with the benefits, services, and education to help you stay at the top of your game, on and off the court. No matter your coaching role today or in the future, you belong here.

2026 EVENTS AND MEETINGS

USTA MV Adult 5’s, 0’s & Open

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

North American Indian Tennis Association Tournament

ITF 30K Women’s Pro Circuit

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open Indoor Championship

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #3

Valley Cup: Jayhawk Open

USTA MV Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open

USTA MV Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L3 #1 - Rally in the Valley

USTA Missouri Valley League 65 & Over Section Invitational

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 Family Championship

Valley Cup: OPRC Clay Courts

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

Section Adapted Championship & ALL Stars Adaptive Event

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

ITF 100K Men’s Pro Circuit

USTA Missouri Valley Junior Team Tennis Open

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship I

Valley Cup: Alton Open

Valley Cup: Greens CC Cleats for Kids

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L4 #4

Valley Cup: Baird Iowa Open

Valley Cup: Omaha Open

L2 St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Championships

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

USTA MV L2 Intersectional: Battle of the Mississippi

ITF 30K Men’s Pro Circuit

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship II

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 5’s, 0’s & Open Outdoor Championship

USTA Husband & Wife Indoor Open & Combo Age Divisions

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship III

Location

May 15-17 O’Fallon, Illinois

May 22-24

St. Louis, Missouri

May 22-24 Tulsa, Oklahoma

Week of May 25 Wichita, Kansas

May 29-31

Des Moines, Iowa

May 30-June 1 Multiple Locations

June 5-7

Topeka, Kansas

June 5-7 Tulsa, Oklahoma

June 5-7 Wichita, Kansas

Week of June 8 Wichita, Kansas

June 11-14 Edmond, Oklahoma

June 11-14

Overland Park, Kansas

June 19-21 Fremont, Nebraska

June 20-21

Overland Park, Kansas

Week of June 16 Tulsa, Oklahoma

June 12-14

July 10-12

Topeka, Kansas

St. Louis, Missouri

Week of July 13 Lincoln, Nebraska

July 14-15

July 17-19

Topeka, Kansas

Chesterfield, Missouri

Alton, Illinois

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

July 18-20 Multiple Locations

July 24-26

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

July 25-26 Omaha, Nebraska

July 24-26

Chesterfield, Missouri

Des Moines, Iowa

Edmond, Oklahoma

Week of July 27 Edwardsville, Illinois

July 31-August 2

August 7-9

Topeka, Kansas

Moline, Illinois

Overland Park, Kansas

August 14-16 Springfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 40+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship August 21-23 Springfield, Missouri

USTA Missouri Valley League Section Championship IV & V

US Open Championships

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 18+ NTRP & Open Indoor Championship

USTA Missouri Valley Junior L3 Team Closed

USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship I

USTA Missouri Valley Adult L4 55+ NTRP & Open Outdoor Championship

USTA Missouri Valley League Mixed Section Championship II

Valley Cup: Cooper Clash

USTA Missouri Valley Tennis On Campus Fall Invitational

USTA Men’s 80, 85, 90, 95 Indoors

USTA Men’s and Women’s 45s (S-D-X) Indoors

ITF 100K Women’s Pro Circuit

USTA MV Indoor L4 #5

ITF 30K Men’s and Women’s Pro Circuit

ITF 30K Women’s Pro Circuit

USTA MV Indoor L4 Team Dom Duo

ITF 15K Women’s Pro Circuit

USTA Missouri Valley Annual Conference

August 28-30 Multiple Locations

August 31-September 13

September 4-6

September 5-7

September 11-13

September 18-20

September 25-27

October 2-4

October 3-4

October 8-11

October 9-11

Week of October 12

October 24-26

Week of October 26

Week of November 2

November 7-8

New York City

Overland Park, Kansas

Multiple Locations

Topeka, Kansas

Springfield, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri

St. Joseph, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas

Edmond, Oklahoma

Multiple Locations

Norman, Oklahoma

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Multiple Locations

Week of November 9 Lincoln, Nebraska

December 3-5 Olathe, Kansas

Adult 5’s, O’s & Open Section Tournament

May 15-17

St. Clair Tennis - O’Fallon, Illinois Tournament ID: 26-07250

40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

May 22-24

Dwight Davis Tennis Center - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-75699

55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

May 29-31

LifeTime Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa Tournament ID: 26-34306

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

June 5-7

LaFortune/Case Tennis Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-02571

55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

June 5-7

Riverside Tennis Complex - Wichita, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-70718

Family Championship Section Tournament

June 19-21

Fremont High School - Fremont, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-56949

40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

July 10-12

Dwight Davis Tennis Center - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-55417

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

July 24-26

LifeTime Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa Tournament ID: 26-30083

Adult 5’s, O’s & Open Section Tournament

August 7-9

Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois Tournament ID: 26-83012

40+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

August 21-23

Cooper Tennis ComplexSpringfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-12972

18+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

September 4-6

Overland Park Racquet ClubOverland Park, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-52124

55+ NTRP & Open Section Tournament

September 18-20

Cooper Tennis ComplexSpringfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-69342

Tennis On Campus Fall Invite

October 3-4

Noyes Tennis Center - St. Joseph, Missouri

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #4

May 23-25

BG12-14 - Wichita, Kansas

Tournament ID: 26-92834

BG16-18 - Topeka, Kansas Tournament ID: 26-64622

Deadline to register: May 13

USTA MV L4 #3

May 30-June 1

BG12-14 - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-32555

BG16-18 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-01367

Deadline to register: May 20

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #5

June 6-8

BG12-14 - Springfield, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-52386

BG16-18 - Fremont, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-55401

Deadline to register: May 27

USTA MV Outdoor L3 Closed #1

June 11-14

BG12-18 - Edmond, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-76197

Deadline to register: June 3

USTA MV FLIGHTED L5 #1

June 20-22

BG12-14 - St. Louis, Missouri Tournament ID: 26-68796

BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-52547

Deadline to register: June 10

USTA MV L5 TEAM #1

July 10-12

BG12-14 - Tulsa, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-72284

BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-91719

Deadline to register: July 1

USTA MV Outdoor L4 Open #4

July 18-20

BG12-14 - Omaha, Nebraska Tournament ID: 26-08295

BG16-18 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-18923

Deadline to register: July 8

L2 Battle of the Mississippi, BG12-18

July 24-26

BG12-14 - Midland, Michigan Tournament ID: 26-31303

BG16 - Minneapolis, Minnesota Tournament ID: 26-18740

BG18 - Edmond, Oklahoma Tournament ID: 26-62282

Deadline to register: July 8

USTA MV Outdoor L5 #6

July 25-27

BG12-18 - St. Louis, Missouri

Tournament ID: 26-55733

Deadline to register: July 15

SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS

65 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 Section Invitational

June 11-14, 2026

Overland Park Racquet Club

Overland Park, Kansas

Hosted by USTA Heart of America

Adults 55 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0

July 17-19, 2026

Vetta West, Frontenac, & Forest Lake

St. Louis, Missouri

Hosted by USTA St. Louis

Adults 18 & Over 3.0, 4.0, 5.0

July 31 - August 2, 2026

Kossover Tennis Complex

Topeka, Kansas

Hosted by USTA Kansas

Adults 18 & Over 2.5 (W), 3.5, 4.5

August 14-16, 2026

Cooper Tennis Complex

Springfield, Missouri

Hosted by USTA Missouri

Adults 40 & Over Men & Women 3.5, 4.5

August 28-30, 2026

Cooper Tennis Complex

Springfield, Missouri

Hosted by USTA Missouri

COLOR WARS

Adults 40 & Over Men & Women 3.0, 4.0

August 28-30, 2026

Oklahoma City Tennis Center

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hosted by USTA Oklahoma

Mixed 18 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0

September 11-13, 2026

Kossover Tennis Center

Topeka, Kansas

Hosted by USTA Kansas

Mixed 40 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0

September 25-27, 2026

Plaza Tennis Center

Kansas City, Missouri

Hosted by USTA Heart of America

18 & Over Tri-Level Invitational

January 8-10, 2027*

Overland Park Racquet Club

Overland Park, Kansas

Hosted by USTA Heart of America

Mixed 55 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0

Invitational

January 22-24, 2027*

TBA

HEART OF AMERICA

Beginner Wheelchair Tennis Clinics

Monthly

Elite Tennis & Wellness - Overland Park, Kansas

IOWA

Iowa Tennis 4u Tennis Clinics

April-September

Crossroads Park - West Des Moines, Iowa

Quad Cities Adaptive Sports Association

Junior Wheelchair Clinic

April 12

Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois

Quad Cities Adaptive Sports Association

Wheelchair Tennis Tournament

June 19-21

Quad Cities Tennis Club - Moline, Illinois

NEBRASKA

Nebraska Wheelchair Tennis Clinics

Youth, June 4-August 13

Adults, year-round

Woods Tennis Center - Lincoln, Nebraska

OKLAHOMA

Route 66 Center Twisters Wheelchair Tennis Classic

August 8

Philcrest Country Club - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Center Twisters All-Comers Camp

October 16-18

LaFortune Park/Case Tennis Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma

St. Louis Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Championships

July 24-26

Chesterfield Athletic Club

Chesterfield, Missouri

Tournament ID: 26-69000

PUSH Wheelchair Tennis Clinics

Saturdays, year-round

Chesterfield Athletic Club

Chesterfield, Missouri

(Wichita)

THIRD PLACE

TENNIS ON TENNIS ON SECTION CHAMPIONS

CAMPUS CAMPUS SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

WATCH A RECAP VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!

TEAM

SPOTLIGHT

University of Nebraska at Kearney

CLUB TENNIS TEAM

Kansas State University

CLUB TENNIS TEAM

University of Missouri

CLUB TENNIS TEAM

Click here to learn more about Tennis On Campus!

SOCIAL SHOUTOUT

• SECTION-LEVEL GRANT CATEGORIES

• Serving Up Tennis Grants (Not-for-Profit Organizations)

• Pro-Circuit Assistance Grant

• Adaptive Programming Assistance Grant

USTA Missouri Valley offers grants to assist organizations to initiate or expand their tennis programming activities.

2026 Grant Deadlines:

- Friday, February 13

- Friday, April 10

- Friday, July 10

- Friday, October 16

• Wheelchair Programming Assistance Grant

• Facility Assistance Grant

• National Tennis Month Program Assistance (May 2026) -Deadline: April 10, 2026

• DISTRICT-LEVEL GRANT CATEGORIES

• Deadlines are specified within each district grant guideline if chosen.

If you have questions please contact Tara Williams: Senior Manager, Junior Team Play 913-302-5901 • williams@movalley.usta.com

A N E W C O M P E T I T I O N T E A M E X P E R I E N C E F O R 2 0 2 6

N o Q u a l i f y i n g . N o B a r r i e r s . J u s t J u n i o r T e a m T e n n i s .

A b r a n d - n e w c o m p e t i t i v e t e a m e v e n t t h a t b r i n g s t e a m s t o g e t h e r f r o m a c r o s s t h e

s e c t i o n t o c o m p e t e , c o n n e c t , a n d h a v e f u n - w h i l e e m p h a s i z i n g s p o r t s m a n s h i p , t e a m

s p i r i t , a n d p l a y e r d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h i n t h e U S T A M i s s o u r i V a l l e y f r a m e w o r k .

T h i s e v e n t r e p l a c e s p r e v i o u s Q u a l i f i e r s & S e c t i o n C h a m p i o n s h i p A L L T E A M S A R E W E L C O M E !

E V E N T D A T E S :

J U L Y 1 4 - 1 5 , 2 0 2 6

T u e s d a y - W e d n e s d a y

L O C A T I O N

K o s s o v e r T e n n i s C e n t e r T o p e k a , K a n s a s

T E A M R E G I S T R A T I O N D E A D L I N E

J u l y 7 , 2 0 2 6 @ 1 1 : 5 9 p m ( E S T )

A g e D i v i s i o n s O f f e r e d : 1 2 U G r e e n B a l l , 1 4 U C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d 1 8 U C h a m p i o n s h i p

T e a m C o m p o s i t i o n : T e a m s m u s t c o n s i s t o f a m i n i m u m o f t w o b o y s a n d t w o g i r l s ,

a n d o n e S a f e P l a y a p p r o v e d T e a m C o a c h o r M a n a g e r

Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s :

A l l p l a y e r s m u s t b e a g e e l i g i b l e ; P l a y e r s s h o u l d n o t e x c e e d t h e a g e l i m i t f o r

t h e i r d i v i s i o n b y t h e l a s t d a y o f t h e m o n t h i n w h i c h t h e e v e n t b e g i n s .

P l a y e r s m u s t b e r e g i s t e r e d i n T e n n i s L i n k w i t h a n e l i g i b l e t e a m t h a t m e e t s a l l e v e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s .

P l a y e r s / t e a m s m u s t c o m p l e t e r e g i s t r a t i o n p r i o r t o t h e e s t a b l i s h e d d e a d l i n e .

P l a y e r m u s t f a l l w i t h i n t h e d e s i g n a t e d W T N b a n d ( m i n 4 0 a n d m a x 1 0 )

P l a y e r s m u s t b e a U S T A m e m b e r i n g o o d s t a n d i n g a t t h e t i m e o f r e g i s t r a t i o n

a n d t h r o u g h o u t t h e e v e n t

F i n d o u t m o r e a n d r e g i s t e r y o u r

t e a m f o r t h e U S T A M i s s o u r i V a l l e y

J u n i o r T e a m T e n n i s O p e n t o d a y !

We’re excited to welcome two new USTA Missouri Valley staff members! Becca Spears is our Digital Content Producer for the Plaza Tennis Center and Section Events, and Talli Shepherd is our new Play and Competition Coordinator.

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Ben Coltharp has been announced as the new USTA Missouri Executive Director, and Brenton Kuchera accepted the same role for USTA Iowa!

NATIONAL SHAPE CONFERENCE

SCHOOL TRAININGS

NET NOTESNEWS NEAR YOU

The National SHAPE Conference took place in Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time since 1988 with approximately 2,000 in attendance. Staff from USTA National, USTA Missouri Valley and USTA South Carolina traveled in to help man a booth and run a demonstration.

HEARTLAND WHEELCHAIR CLASSIC

We welcomed 21 participants to the Northland Racquet Club in Kansas City, Missouri, to participate in the 2026 USTA Heart of America Heartland Wheelchair Classic April 24-26. Tournament Director Rebecca Falkner Axelrod complimented the outstanding tennis and sportsmanship at this event. Midwest Adaptive Sports hosted a Friday night wheelchair clinic for local youth. The tournament celebrated 50 years of wheelchair tennis in the United States.

USTA COACHING WORKSHOPS

A school training took place in St. Louis, Missouri, in early March where approximately 40 physical education teachers represented 33 Public School Districts in the area.

HEARTLAND CHALLENGE

High-performance adaptive athletes from across the United States gathered at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the second annual Heartland Challenge April 24-26. The event was organized by USTA Nebraska competitors Haley Waggoner and Wyatt Spalding. The athletes competed in action-packed competition and skill-building clinics over the weekend. The Heartland Challenge is one of a select few events in the country catered to nationally ranked Special Olympians who get to showcase their skills in a high-performance tournament setting.

Overland Park Racquet Club, a USTA Coach Education Center, hosted its first Intro to Coach Workshop on April 25. The workshop provided a foundation for new coaches, volunteers, parents, and school teachers to master tennis basics, positive coaching principles, and playbased, athlete-centered methods. This training is the starting point for the USTA’s Coaching Development Badge aimed at building a supportive, growth-oriented, and athlete-centered environment.

Becca Spears Ben Coltharp Talli Shepherd

Brenton Kuchera

TENNIS ON CAMPUS

NET NOTES

The USTA Pro Circuit provides players with an opportunity to gain the professional ranking points they need to compete on the major pro tours The USTA Pro Circuit is the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world There are six men’s and five women’s USTA Pro Circuit tournaments being held in the section this year. Get up close and personal with the up-and-coming pros, right in our own backyard!

MEN’S PRO CIRCUITS

Wichita Tennis Open Men’s $30K: 6/8-14 | Kate Foss & MCB Foundation

Tulsa Men’s $30K: 6/16-22 | Russell Warner & Philcrest

Lincoln Men’s $100K: 7/13-19 | ATP Event - Alex Guthrie

Edwardsville Futures Men’s $30K: 7/27-8/2 | Dave Lipe & EGHM Foundation

Stillwater Men’s $25K: 5/19-25 | Dustin Taylor

Norman Men’s $30K: 10/26-11/1 | Dawna Johnson & University of Oklahoma

WOMEN’S PRO CIRCUITS

Wichita Tennis Open Women’s $30K: 5/25-31 | Kate Foss & MCB Foundation

Edmond Women’s $100K: 10/12-18 | David Minihan & Edmond Center Court

Norman Women’s $30K: 10/26-11/1 | Dawna Johnson & University of Oklahoma

Stillwater Women’s $30K: 11/2-8 | Dustin Taylor

Lincoln Women’s $15K: 11/9-15 | German Dalmalgro

Participating Cities:

Kansas City* • Omaha* • St. Louis*

Oklahoma City* • Tulsa* • Lincoln* Springfield • Des Moines • Wichita

*Offering doubles

District News

YOUTH RED BALL TENNIS

USTA Iowa is starting a Youth Red Ball tennis program for GIRLS ages 7-9 this summer. This will be a fun team tennis experience. Curriculum and equipment grant packages are available.

PROGRAM: JUNE 22-JULY 31 (6 WEEKS)

AUGUST 1 IS THE RED BALL SHOWCASE WHERE ALL TEAMS COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A FUN-FILLED TEAM PLAY DAY.

SHOWCASE WILL BE HELD IN IOWA CITY FROM 9:00 TO 2:00

All interested organizations should contact John Terpkosh at 913-967-9926 for more information.