PENN TWP — Let youth be served — or do the serving, whatever the case may be.

Youth was part of the theme of the 15th annual Dave Barnes Pro-Am tennis tournament Sunday at Butler Country Club.

The event generally teams up local pros with adult BCC tennis members in a round-robin doubles tourney. Only this year, Shady Side Academy sophomore Elle Santora and Knoch freshman Brooke Bauer crashed the party.

“We had a couple of spots open and those two girls are excellent youth players,” BCC tennis pro Whitney Snyder. “They've come up through this program and they were excited about the opportunity to play.”

That opportunity was short-lived for Santora, who teamed up with her father, Bud Santora, for one match before their team split up. An injury to Ron Jones ended his day early and the elder Santora became partners with Dave Bender — taking Jones' spot — while Elle withdrew.

“I don't get to play tennis much with my dad,” Elle said. “We still had fun out there. That's what I like about coming back to play in Snyde's events like this.

“They're always fun. This game is supposed to be fun. Something like this is a relief from the stress of tournament tennis.”

Elle Santora was the No. 1 singles player at Knoch last fall. She transferred to Shady Side Academy and is the No. 1 singles player there this fall.

She became the first Knoch girls tennis player to reach the state tournament last year.

“I'm proud of that accomplishment and making this move was bittersweet,” Santora said. “But I've made a lot of nice friends at Shady Side. The girls have been very welcoming.”

Elle's mother, Laura Santora, said Elle's love for the game came through working with Snyder in the BCC youth program. The family lives in Penn Township and Laura Santora came through the same program.

“Whit always keeps it fun. He's amazing with the kids. He made Elle love the game more than her parents did,” Mrs. Santora said.

Elle is a member of the Pa. Tennis Academy in Wexford. She plays there Monday through Friday during the summer and five days a week during the fall and winter.

Her PTA schedule lightens a bit during the high school tennis season.

“Sure, you get tired of it at times,” she said. “To become a really good player, you have to push yourself through that.

“Your body gets sore and tells you you're pushing it too hard, but it's a good kind of pain because it's making your body stronger.”

Santora is hopeful of playing Division I or II tennis in college one day, but said “my education will always come first.”

Bauer is Knoch's No. 2 singles player as a freshman this season and has yet to lose a high school match. She teamed with 33-year-old Doug Johnston in the Barnes Pro-Am. Johnston came through the BCC youth tennis program himself.

“This brings back a lot of memories for me, playing here,” Johnston said. “Brooke is a young girl, but she's an excellent player. She's more than holding her own out there.

“I played hockey at North Catholic and mainly used tennis to stay in shape, but I grew to love the game. My wife and I have three kids now and I don't get a chance to play as much anymore. I miss it.”

Bauer's career is just getting started.

“I started playing when I was 4 or 5,” she said. “My dad was a big tennis player and he got me involved.

“I love this event. It's social, I'm meeting people and I'm playing against adults, which can only make my game stronger.”

Bauer praised Snyder as well.

“He teaches you how to play the game the right way, to respect and get to know your opponent,” she said.

Trevor Heck and Ralph Kuhn wound up winning the tournament. Kuhn is in his 60's. The oldest player in the field was Thom Roberts at 70.

“There's a wide range of people here,” Snyder said. “They all have something in common. They love tennis.”

Dave Barnes Pro-Am

Results (pro listed 1st)

1st: Trevor Heck-Ralph Kuhn, 2nd: Trent Goerk-Jen Semel, 3rd: Thom Roberts-Jody Offstein, 4th: Hayden Moyer-Lisa Bechtold, 5th: Matt Paat-Alisa Green, 6th: Doug Johnston-Brooke Bauer, 7th: Dave Bender-Bud Santora