This year, one of ETC’s own had the chance to travel to south Florida and play in this prestigious event. Caden Scarlett, who is one of the areas top players has participated in numerous USTA Midwest and National tournaments. He decided to take his talents to South Beach (technically Key Biscane) to battle against some of the best players from the US and the rest of the world. Scarlett did not gain direct entry into the main draw, meaning he had to qualify to secure a spot into the main draw. 

Caden adapted quickly to the heat, humidity and outdoor conditions which is typically tough to do after being indoors for several months. His first opponent was fellow american Jaxon Lamb (Greenville, TN). Lamb is a five-star recruit and is ranked inside the top 100 nationally. 

Lamb got off to great start in the first set and took the first 6-1, but Scarlett stayed focused and committed to his game plan. Caden broke serve in the second game to even the score 1-1. From that point on, the players pushed each other in a back in forth manner. The score would eventually reach 4-4 with Scarlett serving. At 4-all in the second set, Lamb would eventually break and hold his serve to win the match 6-1, 6-4

  https://youtu.be/SDpHLf0f3DQ

Scarlett is the third boy from Evansville to play in the Orange Bowl since 2015. 

As our players are gearing up for what is typically a busy summer, all 8 players posted wins with 5 of the 8 either making the finals or winning the tournament.

Three ETC players were selected to play in Okemos, MI (Court One). This tournament is a great warm-up event to the upcoming tournaments, as every player is guranteed four matches. Dev Sanapati played the Boys’ 16s and brought home two wins. Dev found himself down a set and 5-0 in his first match, before fighting back to win in a third set tiebreak. He would win again in his third match, before ultimatly losing his fourth.

Aaron Thompson played the Boys 18s. Aaron played Alan Arocho, a seeded player first round. Thompson posted a routine win of 6-1, 6-4. Thompson would go on to win two more matches over the weekend.

But perhaps the biggest tournament of the weekend goes to Chase Boyer. Boyer entered the tournament unseeeded.  After winning her first match 6-1, 6-0 Boyer would play back to back seeded players. She beat Alicen Liu (#10) 6-0, 6-3; Ashley Matz (#7) 6-1, 6-2. In the quarterfinals she played Monika Glueck (Chicago District) and posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory. Her semi-final opponent was Isabella Marquart(#2). Marquart played in the March National Tournament at ETC, where she made the finals of doubles and finished top 4. Boyer took the first set 6-2. The start of the second set would be tight and competitive, but Boyer eventually pulled away to take the second set 6-1. Boyer lost in the finals to Thea Latak(#1) 6-2, 6-2.

Nichole Henning and Juleah Scarlett met in the finals of Girls’ 16s in Jeffersonville. Henning beat Scarlett 6-2, 6-2.

Caden Scarlett was the top seeded player in Jefforsonville. He would make his way to the finals before losing 6-3, 6-2.

Ollie Ossenberg and Zach Woods played in the Boys 16s age division. Both would notch wins with Ollie advancing and winning in the finals.

Congratulations to all the players this weekend. This is a great start to the summer as we all prepare for the CITA Qualifier and the Midwest Closed.

#KeepGrinding