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Month: June 2024

Ali Agnamba Leads Team Togo In Historic Billie Jean King Cup Appearance

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

JTCC High Performance Coach Ali Agnamba made history earlier this month by training the Togolese women’s team as they prepared for their country’s first appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup!

Agnamba, who hails from the small town of Kodjoviakope, Togo, coached the squad of five players during their two-week visit to JTCC as prior to their return to Africa for the 2024 Africa IV tournament that took place June 10-15 at the Ecology Club Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Federation Cup, is regarded as a highly prestigious event and recognized as the world’s largest annual women’s international team sports competition.

For Togo Team player Chakira Dermen, the opportunity to be part of her country’s historic appearance was special.

“It’s a big honor, because it’s our country and we know there will be a lot of people watching us, and we’re representing everyone from Togo,” stated the 21-year-old Derman who came to the United States last year to play collegiate tennis for Concordia University Nebraska.

Dermen and her teammates undoubtedly made their country proud.

In the Africa IV tournament, Togo got off to a fantastic start, winning all four matches in Pool A to dominate the competition. However, their great run ended with a tough loss in the promotional play-off against Pool B winner Algeria.

“Overall I was very satisfied with how everything went,” JTCC Senior Director of Player Development Ali Agnamba said. “I was very proud to represent my country and being chosen by the Togo Tennis Federation President to serve as captain was amazing. We competed very well to win our group and reach the finals.”

Five Former JTCC Players Have Strong Showings In NCAA Division I Championships

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

Three former JTCC players and two alumni had strong showings at the NCAA Division I Championships in Stillwater, OK recently, with Alexa Noel capturing the Women’s Singles Championship.

Noel rallied from a set and 3-1 down to capture the title with an impressive 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 come-back victory over Georgia’s Anastasiia Lopata.

“Alexa has had great success from her junior days winning the National Clay Court Championships in the Girls’ 14s to now having won an NCAA Singles Championship,” JTCC President Vesa Ponkka said, who worked with Alexa during her developmental years at JTCC. “There’s no question in my mind that she will be a successful WTA player because she’s one of the most competitive players I have ever had a chance to work with.”

Two former JTCC players, Elizabeth Scotty (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and Elise Wagle (University of California, Los Angeles), and two JTCC alumni, Ayana Akli (University of South Carolina) and Ryan Colby (University of Georgia) also competed at the NCAA Division I Championships and were integral members of their teams’ success this season.

Wagle helped lead the Bruins to the NCAA Division I Team Championships Quarterfinals, while Scotty reached the Sweet 16 with the Tar Heels.

JTCC Salutes Class Of 2024

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

Thirteen JTCC graduates in attendance were dressed to impress in front of the more than 100 proud parents, families, alumni, and friends who gathered in the JTCC lobby for the May 29 graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024.

The new alumni received their diplomas and portraits which will hang on the JTCC Walk of Fame hallway. This year’s class included four additional graduates who were unable to attend. The group joined the more than 330 other successful alumni.

“The JTCC graduation is a capstone event that our entire staff looks forward to every year,” Director of School Mark Santangelo commented. “We are always excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, both on and off the courts, and this year’s class has impressed us in every way. We’re proud of the Class of 2024 as they wrap up years of hard work and head off to college and beyond.”

JTCC Head of Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis Gabby Hesse introduced special guest speaker Nicky Maxwell, a JTCC MedStar Para Standing athlete, who encouraged the graduates to “go for your dreams and work hard to achieve what you set out to do.”

Amari O’Brien, who will be playing NCAA Division I tennis for Mount St Mary’s University, spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

“A lot of things we have learned at JTCC can be used in every aspect of our lives,” said O’Brien, who delivered a heartfelt speech. “I’m excited to see what the future holds, and I know we are going to move on and do great things.”

Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed dinner courtesy of Paisano’s Pizza.

Congratulations to the Class of ‘24, and good luck in your future endeavors!

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