With nearly a century of history, “Cup” or “Intersectional” competition brings sections together against one another, meaning a Middle States team will compete against other USTA Sections from around the country.
The women’s Addie and Sears Cups, as well as the Men’s Church, Talbert, and Atlantic Coast Cups, pit Middle States teams against competitors from USTA Eastern, USTA Mid-Atlantic and USTA New England to attain valuable national ranking points.
The location of each cup rotates on an annual basis amongst the participating sections. The respective section not only hosts competition but also a welcome dinner and reception. This affords each player the opportunity to not only bond with their own teammates, but to create lasting relationships with players from other sections, as well.
This year, three Middle States teams earned Intersectional Titles in 2018, bringing home the Church, Atlantic Coast and Sears Cups.
2018 Church Cup Champions
A Dynasty In The Making
It’s been two Church Cup titles in two years for the Middle States Church Cup team, led by Captain Jason Katzer.
The team of Taylor Cohen, Kamala Kannan, Matt Nardella, Alex Gasson, Chris Hasyn, Nathan Perrone, Alex Mascioli and Dmitry Shatalin took home the title in June.
2018 Sears Cup Champions
A Championship, 13 Years in the Making
In mid-June, Middle States raised the Sears Cup high and proud. It was the first time since 2005 that Middle States won the event.
The event was held on Middle States’ home turf, at Philadelphia Cricket Club. Team captains Mary Stanton Wurtz and Jennifer Pao assembled the team.
Team L-R : Jen Pao, Vincenza Massaro, Margarita Sadovnikova, Paloma Escobedo, Sarah Huah Chang, Charlotte Sikora, Jackie Wong, Lisa Bornt-Davis, Ellah Nze, Yulia Bolotova, Delia Sescioreanu Mask
2018 Atlantic Coast Cup Champions
An ACC Victory
In one of the tightest Intersectional matches in years, teams found themselves in a three-way tie after all play was complete during the Atlantic Coast Cup. However, the tiebreaker of total sets won gave Middle States the victory for 2018.
The team (pictured) consisted of Keith Studnick (Co-Captain), Fred Perrin, Joe Ferry, Erik Jan Walson, Jim Olson, Johan Hoegstedt (Captain), Mike Schnably and Greg Frigerio.
Interested in competing? Write to us at NetPLAY@ms.usta.com, and we’ll let you know what option fits best for you to compete on an adult tennis team.
NetPLAY Magazine 