Butler Junior Tennis holds largest in-house tourney in program history
BUTLER TWP — Friendly competition — and plenty of it.
The Butler Junior Tennis Association held its annual in-house singles tournament Wednesday at the Butler High School courts. The bracket format featured 16 BJTA junior varsity players (ages 7-12) and seven varsity players (ages 13-17).
The tourney never had more than 15 players before.
“We had 14 or 15 players in it last year,” second-year BJT director Lexi Chappel said. “The program has really grown overall this year. It’s a positive sign that we have things moving in the right direction.
“Players sign up to play in this. Vacations and other activities can affect who registers, so I’m happy we have this many.”
There are 45 youths in Butler Junior Tennis this summer. The team practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays and competes in matches in the West Penn league on Fridays.
Laini Spohn, 13, an incoming freshman at Butler, was the youngest player in the varsity field. Trophies were to be presented to the first and second-place finishers in both divisions.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was 5 and have been with Butler Junior Tennis every year,” Laini said. “I’m hoping to play doubles for the high school team this year.
“Doubles are fun because you have to communicate with your partner and you can grow your skill sets together. Communication is a big part of tennis.”
Ali Smith — who played varsity doubles representing BJT at the recent West Penn Inter-Club Junior Mixed Doubles Championship at Butler Country Club — is entering her junior year at Butler. She played No. 3 singles for the Golden Tornado girls tennis team last season and won most of her matches.
Ali, 16, hopes to move up in Butler’s lineup this fall, “but I know I’m up against a lot of good competition.“
She’s been with BJT for 11 years, though she had a recently two-season hiatus due to a wrist injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. This is her first year back with the program.
“I couldn’t wait to get back,” Ali said. “Everyone on the team is so nice and I like being a part of it. It’s friendly competition ... Tennis is a gentleman’s sport and I really enjoy that.”
Ali is helping out the younger players as an assistant coach this summer, along with working on her own game.
When not practicing or playing with BJT, Ali enjoys playing tennis on her own, “but there’s nothing like being part of a team.”
Ali added that she hits the ball “with a lot of power and I can place my forehand where I want. My serve has gotten much better this year and that’s making the game even more fun.”
“We worked on her serve for a few weeks and it’s made a big difference in her game,” said Chappel, herself the No. 1 singles player at Grove City College and the former No. 1 singles player at Butler.
“Butler Junior Tennis had been putting on this in-house tournament for a long time,” Chappel added. “I’ve been part of this program for 15 years and it was going on before I got started. I’m excited that the junior varsity has a full bracket. That’s big for those kids.”
Kameron Warheit, 11, was runner-up in the JV portion of this tournament last year. He was part of BJT’s junior varsity doubles tandem at the West Penn Inter-Club tourney.
He has been with BJT since first grade and plays soccer and basketball as well.
“My favorite sport is whatever sport I’m playing at the time,” Kameron said. “My serve has improved this year and is probably the best part of my game.
“You have to use your hands and feet in tennis, so it’s kind of a combination of soccer and basketball. Playing those sports help me in this one.”
Laini’s goal is to play doubles for her high school team. Ali hopes to play Division I or II collegiate tennis. Kameron’s goal?
“Wimbledon,” he said, grinning. “That’s my biggest one.”
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