Arizona week met de tennis teams

VUSC Tennis combines Training for Nationals with being Goodwill Ambassadors

Phoenix, Ariz. – Vanguard University’s Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams combined training for the NAIA National Tennis Tournament with being local goodwill ambassadors to the Village Racquet and Health Club and the community of Phoenix, Arizona.

The VU Lion teams from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, (Newport Beach) CA were in Phoenix, April 26-29th for their "Hot Weather Training", at the fabulous Village Racquet and Health Club on E. Camelback Rd. They were preparing for the NAIA (Div I) National Tennis Championships in Mobile, Alabama, May 15-19th. The Vanguard Lions men’s team is ranked 10th in the nation and the women’s team is ranked # 6.

Team member, Michael Martin, started his tennis training at the Village Racquet Club, when he was only three years old. Michael is a former SW USTA competitor and graduate of Scottsdale Christian Academy. He was highly instrumental in leading his high school teams to four consecutive AZ State Championships. He is the only American on the men’s team; the rest of the team is truly international with students from France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. This is Coach Mattias Johansson’s 10th season as the Vanguard Lions head coach. Mattias was a former Lions player and champion.

"It was a blast to have my college team in my home town, on my home courts and having the privilege of showing them around," said Mike Martin.

Arrangements were made to have the team hit with the competitive junior tennis players at the Village Racquet Club and encourage them in their tennis. They played several games and drills, some initiated by the college team, others by the Village staff. The juniors who had the opportunity to hit were very excited and impressed with the exchange.

"It was like having four instructors on the court, it was so awesome," many of the juniors commented. They also wanted to know all countries the college players were from. From the juniors’ enthusiasm, one would think that they just hit "the big time". It was also very inspiring to watch the VU players after the exchange, as they thanked the kids for "letting" them hit with them and gave them all "high fives".

The team was extended an invitation to practice and train at the Village by Brian Cheney, the tennis director, who has just returned from playing in an international tournament in South Africa! Team member, Greg Chevalier, had the opportunity to play a tough competitive match against Brian. Coach Johansson said, "I really like Phoenix, I wouldn’t mind moving here some day. This was a great trip, much better than our trip to Florida last year."

Good luck to the Vanguard Lions we hope you surpass your goals and expectations at Nationals! Hopefully, this Hot Weather Training proved helpful, and perhaps we’ll see you again next year.