OTA reaching new heights
Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Sports/61515/
BENTONVILLE — Only four months into the yearly schedule, players from the Ozark Tennis Academy in Bentonville have competed in eight tournaments across three states, garnering numerous trophies and top finishes along the way.
Led by directors Jared and Christy Ward, the OTA has reached new levels of skill and results, all while maintaining a firm belief in sportsmanship and fair play.
“ Our program is based on the idea that working hard and pushing oneself to the limit can be fun, ” said Jared Ward. “ Additionally, we feel that respect for teammates, coaches, opponents, and the code of the game is more important than winning alone. We know mistakes happen, but expect our players to maintain a high level of sportsmanship, emphasizing effort and growth over rankings and winning at all costs. That’s what makes our group special. ”
This OTA attitude has led to unprecedented oncourt success within the state. Ten boys and six girls have spent time this year in the Top 10 of their age divisions, including five in the Top 5: Abbey Sharpe (1 st in Girls 18, Arkansas state 7 A high school singles champion ), Mallory Tabler (2 nd in Girls 10 ), Daniel Joshuva (4 th in Boys 12 ), Amy Andersen (4 th in Girls 16, Arkansas state 7 A high school doubles champion ), and Rob Hodous (4 th in Boys 16 ).
On a higher level, the team has also been clawing its way through the Southern Section. Most notable has been the participation level at the two Southern events hosted in Little Rock. At the Polar Bear in early March, the OTA had 16 players compete, followed up two weeks later by fourteen players in the largest tournament of the year, the Little Rock Bullfrog.
In addition, two players have placed at Southern events (Abbey Sharpe twice — 4 th at the Polar Bear, 3 rd at the Aquafina in Mississippi; and Anna Bever, 5 th at the Aquafina ), while four have spent time in or near the Top 100 in the South: Mallory Tabler (43 rd in Girls 10 ), Abbey Sharpe (46 th in Girls 18 ), Amy Andersen (92 nd in Girls 16 ), and Anna Bever (104 th in Girls 16 ).
“ The success these players have had so far is amazing, ” said Christy Ward. “ It is extremely difficult to reach the top 100 in the South, let alone the top fifty. With four there, and more on the way, it truly shows how much hard work and dedication is being put in by all of our players. ”
The next stage for several players is the college level. For the past several years, OTA members have dominated the high school ranks while playing for Bentonville, including Alice Havner and Abbey Sharpe winning both a singles and doubles title, Amy Andersen a doubles title, Joanna Corkern a doubles title, Anna Bever a doubles finalist, Retz Chapman and Martin Tabler teaming for a doubles final, and Scott Compton and Matt Zarse making the state semifinals two years in a row as partners.
Next year will see Corkern, Havner, Sharpe, and Tabler all competing at the collegiate level.
Both Wards are quick to point out the reason for the team’s success.
“ Our kids work very, very hard, ” said Jared. “ And we’ve got some of the best, most supportive parents around. They’re why the program is successful. ”
Christy agreed. “ Absolutely. The group is like one big family. We love our players, and couldn’t possibly be happier doing anything else. ”