Elizabeth Barnhill

DATES: May 19-22, 2023
LOCATION: Lexington, KY
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 30-85

The 2023 USTA National Indoor Championship was played at one of the premier indoor court facilities in the U.S. With 15 indoor courts and viewing of all courts, the setting was ideal whether playing or watching. As I start to write this article, it is the second day of the tournament and it is pouring rain outside. We do not have to hole up in our hotel rooms or contemplate shortened formats. The play goes on…a prime benefit of indoor play, along with no need for sunglasses or sunscreen.

The play was top-notch. With this event again a Level 1, most of our top competitors came to play.

Some highlights include:

• In the 85s, Mary Ann Winden won her first ball ever, and it was gold.

• In the 75s, we saw the return of Wilma Lee who has not competed since 2019. She made a great run through the seeded players finally ending with a silver ball in her finals match with #1 seed Toni Novak.

• In the 65s, we welcomed new member, Ellen Miller, who plans to form a group of Lexington area players who would help with organization, communications and amenities at the 2024 event. Top-ranked 65s Carolyn Nichols and Susan Wright continued their winning ways with gold in both singles and doubles.

• As in all the age levels, there was strong play in the 55s with Andrea Rice and Alicia Rowley winning all their doubles matches and Alicia winning gold over Andrea in the singles.

• The doubles team of Kristen Charlton & Sue Kaleel, who played both the 55s and 45s doubles, did not win the 55s but were undefeated in the 45s.

• It was delightful to meet Monica Hoz de Vila from Houston and Erika Takeuchi from Seattle, playing in the 35s. As an example of the wide reach of tennis friendships, Monica and Erika met each other for the first time last year in Turkey while playing on the 2022 USTA 30s Cup Team. There, they also met TD Michael Cunningham, who was playing on the men’s 30s Cup team, and he shared with them the information about this Lexington tournament.

Our NWTO table was in a prime location and was kept busy enrolling new members and collecting names for our raffle drawing of a red NWTO vest. Our table shared information, bananas, apples and energy bars.  

TD, Michael Cunningham, was ever present, organizing lunches and the Saturday dinner as well as answering questions. He plans to work with a small committee of women next year to help plan and organize the event with the goal of finding the best tournament dates and increasing the number of both national and local participants.  

NWTO members are asked to give their opinion of the best time to hold this tournament. In 2024, it could be over Memorial Day weekend, it could be May 30 to June 4, or it could be June 27 to July 2nd.  Give your opinion at info@nwto.us.

QUICK RESULTS→

🏆 W35

SINGLES:  Marina Galey over Monica Hoz de Vila
DOUBLES:  Monica Hoz de Vila / Erika Takeuchi over Sarah Marks / Kelly Buckley

🏆 W45

SINGLES: Laura Ruben over Jeni Burnette
DOUBLES: Kristen Charlton / Sue Kaleel over Karen Rothschild / Jeni Burnette

🏆 W55

SINGLES: Alicia Rowley over Andrea Rice
DOUBLES: Alicia Rowley / Andrea Rice over Michelle Williams / Susan Love

🏆 W65

SINGLES:  Susan Wright over Bunnie Jackson
DOUBLES: Susan Wright / Carolyn Nichols over Shannon Gordon-Carney / Bunnie Jackson

🏆 W75

SINGLES:  Toni Novack over Wilma Lee
DOUBLES: Brenda Carter / Betty Wachob over Susan Kimball / Carolann Castell

🏆 W85

SINGLES:  Mary Ann Winden over Mary Hays