Matt Slamecka figured to do all right while representing the United States Tennis Association Middle States 16U Zone team that competed in St. Louis.

Go out, win a couple of matches and be pleased with the experience.

But Slamecka, 15, a sophomore at Butler High School, did better than he could have imagined.

Slamecka won four of his five singles matches at the USTA Zone Championships at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. He also teamed with Coby Kramer-Golinoff of Bala Cynwyd and Chris Galvin of Erie for three doubles wins.

"I actually didn't think I'd do as well as I did," said Slamecka. "My ranking shot up. I'm 275th nationally. I sent a couple of things for sponsorships and I really shouldn't have any trouble getting sponsors."

Slamecka was chosen by the USTA to compete for the national team competition by virtue of his points standings. By playing for the Middle States Zone, Slamecka competes against other players from Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey and Delaware.

The Middle States team were matched up against teams from the Missouri Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest sections in one of four zone championships held throughout the United States.

"You play in tournaments and you get points for winning matches," said Slamecka. "You can go online and sign up for tournaments. They picked the top 18 in points and I got in. I was 13th."

Slamecka defeated Ryne Dushane of Holland, Mich. 7-6, 7-5; Peter Rothstein of Bloomfield, Missouri 6-4, 6-3; Steven Fletcher of Topeka, Kan. 6-1, 6-2 and Amrit Ved Bhaskarla of Naperville, Okla. 6-3, 6-3.

His lone loss was to Trevor Horstman of Tulsa, Okla., 6-2, 6-3.

"I felt great," said Slamecka. "I won a tournament the week before at my home club."

Slamecka won the USTALevel 6 Open Tournament at Lakevue Racquet Club in Valencia three weeks ago, defeating Daniel Goldblum of Pittsburgh 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals and Ethan Kallick of Pittsburgh 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the championship final.

Slamecka has already competed in the USTAJunior National Open at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in early July.

He just took part in a tournament in Fox Chapel this past week and won both of his matches.

But for now, Slamecka — who began playing at the age of eight and competitively since he was 10 — will enjoy a much-deserved break.

"I'm done with the USTA for the summer," said Slamecka, who is the No. 1 singles player for the Butler varsity tennis team. "I'll start back up in September. I play all year-round."

Slamecka knows his backhand could use some work — a broken pinkie suffered in the fifth grade still has lingering effects — but is looking forward to playing this winter, then gearing up for the spring varsity season as well.

"Right now, I'm playing some of the my best tennis ever," said Slamecka. "I feel like I could go to states.

"I've improved so much. I'm really happy how well I'm playing now."