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Community Corner

12-Year-Old Winnetka Girl, New Doubles Partner Shock Field, Win Midwest Doubles Title

As they headed in late June to the most prestigious Junior Tennis tournament in the Midwest, to describe 12-year-old Anna Ross of Winnetka and her 11-year-old doubles partner as underdogs would have been a massive overstatement.

Unranked and playing for the first time together, Anna and Soren Leichter would have been justifiably satisfied to win only their first-round match on June 22nd in the Girls’ 12 USTA/Midwest Section Closed Junior Championships.

But they were just getting warmed up. In the second round, they scored a huge upset by knocking off the tournament’s #1 seed, Jaeden Brown and Karena Miller.

The only unseeded team to advance as far as the quarterfinals, Anna and Soren reeled off victories over the 5th-seeded team and then the 8th-seeded tandems to advance to the finals.
 
Their confidence surging, the girls were not intimidated by their final-round opponent, third-seeded Meghan Coleman and Elizabeth Eades, on Sunday, June 26th.

That strong duo had not lost more than four games to any opponent to that point, and topped Anna and Soren in the first set, 6-3. Coleman and Eades threatened to wrap up the title in two sets, moving ahead, 4-2. But Anna and Soren were well versed in coming from behind, having already won twice in the tournament after falling down by a set.

Again they mounted a comeback, winning the set, 7-5, and forcing the decisive third set, which they eked out with a dramatic 10-7 victory in the tiebreaker. It was their third tie-breaking victory of the tourney.

Anna said it was the best week of her life and her mother, Nancy Ross, described her own reaction as being “numb” and “overcome with disbelief and joy all at once.”

“Many prayers were answered,” Ross recalled. “Our families really bonded that week, and we kept telling the girls that they were meant to be together. This was their time. They had nothing to lose. And it was amazing to see them believe and succeed.”

On hand to provide guidance was Maciek Jozwiak, Anna’s instructor from Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook. Jozwiak has been coaching tennis at Five Seasons since 2002 and worked as Director of Junior Program Development from 2004 to 2008.

“That was the biggest upset of the tournament,” Jozwiak said of Anna and Soren’s triumph.  “This was something that I don’t think anyone expected at all. This is bigger than winning the state championship because it covers the best players from throughout the Midwest.”

Keys to Anna’s success, added Jozwiak, have been the development of a very heavy topspin, better mobility after working through knee problems, and the chemistry that Anna found with Soren.

“They had great teamwork, something clicked and they played so well together right away,” said Jozwiak. “They want to play together again in the future, and I hope it works out.”

Ross credited Jozwiak with giving her daughter “not only the skills to succeed but also the confidence to win.”

“She was stronger and tougher when it counted most,” Ross said. “His passion and determination are contagious.  And the players know deep down that he really cares about them.”

By winning the Midwest title, the girls have qualified for the USTA National Championships in August.

The Ross family has a strong tennis background starting with Ed, the father, being ranked 7th nationally as a 16-year-old and leading his Florida high school to the state championship. He went on to play tennis at Southern Methodist University before competing on the pro satellite circuit for two years.

Anna has two brothers, 10-year-old Michael and 14-year-old Eddie, who also play tennis and train at Five Seasons. Michael won the Little Mo International Championship in Florida in December. 

“We feel so fortunate our kids have an all-star lineup of coaches who are truly committed to their development both on and off the court,” Ross said. “They have great relationships with many of them.”

Five Seasons Family Sports Club is at 1300 Techny Road in Northbrook. For more information, call 847-897-5030 or visit http://fiveseasonssportsclub.com/northbrook/.


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