Over 50 Players and Fans Gather at Tufts for Tennis Fund Raiser
Lily Robinson – Freelance reporter, Writing Coordinator Summer Tennis and Writing Program
June 10, 2023
Over $3,000 was raised for the Summer Tennis and Writing Scholarship Fund as local tennis players took to the Tufts University tennis courts to support the cause.
This doubles tournament attracted 36 competitors, from high schoolers to experienced players. Teams faced off in advanced and intermediate divisions.
Fred Davis (left) jumps for a volley in an early match. His partner, Lisa Underkoffler (right), is a Tufts alum. The pair attends Coach Drew Tennis’ adult clinic and plays for the Lexington Tennis Club.
“I was thrilled with the event,” said Drew Hendrickson, founder and director of Coach Drew Tennis, a Somerville-based program offering tennis lessons for youth and adults. “The tennis was great and we had a lot of laughs. I’m so thankful to Tufts for allowing us to use the courts.”
“We also raised a good amount of money,” continued Hendrickson, “and as we transition into a non-profit model, we will build on the success of this event.”
Clark Jean-Baptiste and David Ou won the advanced division of this inaugural Round Robin Tournament, held on Saturday, June 10th . The pair battled their way back from a shaky start to best nine teams in the event’s advanced division.
In the intermediate championship, rookies Matt Thayer and Leo Evriviades bested Lucie Gulino and Marinda Horan to take home gold. Thayer and Evriviades were playing their first tournament and followed an underdog’s path to the finals as they improved their game throughout the day. On the podium the pair reveled in their inaugural win, drinking from the championship cups.
As the event unfolded, the competition heated up. Mike Babics, whose team won a similar event in Medford in 2022, dove across the court to make a shot, drawing an explosive reaction from spectators lining the fence.
Along with competition, there was also camaraderie on the courts. Players congratulated their opponents on great plays, shook hands over the net, and
cheered on other teams between their own matches. One player handed sunglasses across the net to an opponent squinting into the sun.
For the final match of the day, Jean-Baptiste and Ou faced Mike Morgan and Veid Patel in the advanced division championship. Morgan and Patel had a shaky start, falling behind early, but the pair fought their way back in the second half. Crowds lined the court, clutching the fence in suspense as the match came down to a tie breaker.
Coach Drew noted a strong showing on the podium from Somerville High School. Both Ou and Patel are graduating seniors, who played for the school under coach Mike Morgan.
Somerville-area tennis players can stay tuned for another tournament later this summer.
Coach Drew’s Summer Tennis and Writing Program is held in Somerville’s Foss Park and runs from 9am-12pm, Monday-Friday. Folks can sign up for one-week sessions, which begin June 26th and run through August 25th. The program also accepts donations from individuals and businesses.
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COACH DREW TENNIS 