Junior Players From New Topspin National Tennis Academy Take 25 Wins in USTA National Winter Championships and 2005 Copper Bowl

Junior Players From New Topspin National Tennis Academy Take 25 Wins in USTA National Winter Championships and 2005 Copper Bowl

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Topspin National Tennis Academy recently returned from the back-to-back USTA National Winter Championships and Copper Bowl Junior Tennis Championships in Tucson, Arizona. Six players training with Topspin competed, garnering a total of 25 wins. Alison Riske, age 14, of McMurray, made it to the finals of the Girls 18 in the Copper Bowl, intentionally aging up for the higher level of competition available against the older players.

Topspin Director of Tennis Robert Gregoire comments, "Ali Riske is the only girl from Pittsburgh to ever make the finals of the Copper Bowl, and she's done it twice!" Riske was formerly No. 1 in the nation for Girls 12s, and following her superb performance in Tuscon, her ranking for Girls 18s rose to No. 70. Topspin Head Tennis Professional Jim Jones, who coaches Riske, comments, "One of the most impressive things about Ali is that when she gets on the court for tournament play, she raises her play two levels. She is one of the most mentally tough tournament players I've seen."

Topspin is the area's leading tennis academy for competitive junior players, training more than 100 players. Fifteen of their junior players are nationally ranked, including four players in the top 100 and six players in the top 150 nationally. Casey Watt of Wexford was formerly No. 6 nationally for Boys 14s and aged up to compete in the 16s just this month. His brother, Bryan, is ranked No. 47 in the Boys 12s. Star players from the city include Sara Perelman of Squirrel Hill, ranked No. 83 nationally in Girls 12s, and Ronit Yurovsky, No. 122 in Girls 12s. Jay Jones (son of coach Jim Jones, and trained by his father) is currently No. 64 nationally in Boys 14s; Alison Riske is No. 70 in the Girls 18s; and Jennifer Larimore is ranked No. 130 nationally in Girls 14s. Other highly ranked players competing both regionally and nationally include Matthew Belenky (No. 503 in Boys 16s), Sean Curly (No. 596 in Boys 18s), Dorothy Dohanics (No. 180 in Girls 18s), Olivia Heim (No. 543 in Girls 14s), Sabrina Smyers (No. 325 in Girls 18s) and Mary Wilson (No. 311 in Girls 16s).

The Topspin program offers comprehensive, personalized physical and mental training with their renowned coaching staff, led by Gregoire and Jones. Competitive athletes participate in ongoing, organized tournament trips, traveling with both coaches and chaperones. Beginning on February 11, 2005, Topspin will be attending the K-Swiss National Tournament in Chicago, followed by trips to the USTA National Spring Championships in Delray Beach and the Easter Bowl in Palm Springs, CA.

ABOUT TOPSPIN NATIONAL TENNIS ACADEMY

The Topspin National Tennis Academy opened in April 2004. Their comprehensive training system focuses on stroke mechanics and physical and mental strategies customized for each player. Topspin is home to the Pittsburgh Winter Tennis League with over 75 adult players, and offers a full range of training plus conditioning and exercise classes, and competitive and recreational tennis programs for adult and youth players of all ages and abilities. Topspin is located at 6032 Stevenson Place in East Liberty, near

Whole Foods. For more information on memberships, clinics, private lessons and USTA and PTL tennis teams forming now, please call 412-661-7471.


Source: Topspin National Tennis Academy

CONTACT: Karen Fredette, +1-412-681-4830, or Amy Larimore,
+1-412-491-4120, both for Topspin National Tennis Academy


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