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JTCC Players Well-Prepared for Wimbledon

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JTCC players certainly didn’t let any grass grow under their feet at Wimbledon as three alumni raced to victories on the hallowed grass courts. Robin Montgomery fought through three matches in qualifying to earn her first entry into the women’s singles main draw. She followed up with an impressive first round defeat of Olivia Gadecki, 6-4, 6-4, to achieve a personal milestone winning her first Grand Slam main draw match.

The 19-year-old ascending star has achieved a career-high #138 WTA ranking in 2024 after reaching her first Hologic WTA Tour quarterfinal at the Libema Open in the Netherlands and advancing to the third round of the WTA 1000 Madrid Open where she lost to two-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka in a tightly contested three-set match.

JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe also impressed on the grass, registering two wins over Matteo Arnaldi and Borna Coric before falling to eventual 2024 Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set match 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2. Tiafoe, who defeated Rafael Nadal en route to reaching the 2022 US Open semifinals, is ranked #29 in the ATP world rankings and will compete in the Mubadala Citi DC Open beginning July 27.

In Boys’ Singles, JTCC High Performance player Kase Schinnerer made history of his own, registering his first main draw win at a Junior Grand Slam event. Schinnerer won two qualifying matches to gain entry into the 18 & Under Junior Boys main draw and has attained an ITF Junior world ranking of #57.

“We are thrilled to have three JTCC players perform so well at Wimbledon, and I’m personally very pleased I was able to attend Frances’ wonderful two sets to love comeback victory in the first round and also witness Robin Montgomery’s first Grand Slam victory,” said JTCC CEO Ray Benton.

Game On! Program Celebrates More Than 250 Graduates

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After a fun-filled session learning the game of tennis, 262 students, ages 6-12, graduated from the Spring Game On! session that wrapped up June 9.

Held at 14 locations across Washington, DC and Prince George’s County Schools and Recreation Centers, students were immersed in tennis fundamentals and at two sites, 40 students also engaged in Academic Creative Engagement (ACE) educational activities in weekly classroom sessions.

Classes are led by JTCC coaches assisted by volunteers from the community and JTCC Champs players who serve as role models and mentors for the dedicated young players.

Excited to continue to practice the new skills they’ve learned, 68 students from the past session and Phase 2 programming throughout the year have continued their training at JTCC starting this summer.

Congratulations to all of the students, and thank you to all the dedicated coaches who continue to make the program successful!

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

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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

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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

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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!

JTCC Alumna Imani Jean Named MEAC Rookie Of The Year

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Imani Jean’s freshman season at Howard University was memorable and one for the history books.

The JTCC alumna, who finished her first collegiate season 13-3 overall in singles, was recognized for her stellar performance being named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) 2024 Rookie of the Year and was a MEAC First Team selection.

“I officially found out that I was named Rookie of the Year at the MEAC awards ceremony right before the tournament,” Jean said. “To hear I won the award was reassuring to me that everything I worked hard for was not for nothing.”

Jean trained at JTCC from 2019-23 in the Full-Time Champions program. The Brooklyn, NY native is grateful for her time at JTCC shaping her into the person and player she is today.

“My time at JTCC positively impacted my character, and the tennis training and coaches helped me with my discipline on and off the court,” Jean stated.

After being named MEAC Rookie of the Week five times and finishing 5-0 in conference singles play, Jean is excited to work hard this offseason and continue to improve.

“One of the best parts about my freshman year was how much support I’ve been getting. It’s amazing to have your team there for you no matter what,” Jean said. “This accomplishment is only going to push me to train hard for the summer and prove to people that this award was well deserved so I can come into next season even stronger.”

Geico Champions Celebration Raises $584,000 for JTCC 25th Anniversary

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JTCC was transformed for an unforgettable evening on April 10 to salute JTCC’s 25th Anniversary honoring alumnus Frances Tiafoe and University of Maryland President Darryll Pines at the GEICO Champions Celebration presented by Amazon and the Bisnow Family.

The honorees shared inspiring messages to an energetic crowd of more than 400 JTCC supporters, who raised an impressive $584,000 benefitting JTCC’s GEICO Game On! community programs.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the pre-dinner reception while being entertained by impressive match play featuring JTCC Adaptive athletes, High Performance and Junior Champs players.

The dynamic dinner program was filled with impactful speeches, touching tributes, amusing anecdotes, distinguished awards, and captivating videos that paid homage to JTCC’s growth over the past 25 years and showcased what’s coming in the future.

GEICO Game On! provides a pathway for youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play tennis, starting as beginners and progressing to earning college scholarships. Since its inception in 2009, more than 8,000 youth have been introduced to tennis through GEICO Game On!

Check out the videos shown at the Gala by watching Part 1 and Part 2 here.

JTCC “Blacks Out The Bubble” To Support University of Maryland

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JTCC is home to the University of Maryland (UMD) women’s varsity tennis team, and it was jam-packed with more than 100 spectators wearing black to “Black Out” the bubble on March 2 when the Lady Terps took on Liberty University.

Fans cheered outstanding National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I tennis and were delighted at the outcome when Maryland cruised to a 4-0 shutout victory in front of the energetic crowd.

“This year’s event grew in attendance from last year, and it was awesome to see everyone supporting the Lady Terps,” exclaimed John Dominguez, a JTCC member for more than 20 years. “The matches are free to attend, and there was standing room only which spoke to the overall success of the event again this year.”

Four lucky fans won free raffles that included a UMD book bag, UMD Men’s Basketball tickets, a JTCC drawstring bag, and a Wilson Burn racquet. Spectators had the opportunity to purchase Jersey Mike’s Subs food and drinks as well.

“Huge thank you to John Niswander and his staff at JTCC in helping organize and promote “Black Out” the Bubble. This was our second year in a row organizing a match promotion specific to JTCC members, and it was a great success,” UMD Head Coach Katie Dougherty said. “The match with Liberty was a blast for the student-athletes and fans. The JTCC ball kids were outstanding, and the crowd was energized and made the atmosphere so much fun to play in. Our team greatly appreciates the support we get from the JTCC community and look forward to seeing folks out at our future matches.”

Player Spotlight: Stefanie Smart-Abbey Striving For Excellence

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Leaving behind her family and hometown of Yonkers, NY, Stefanie Smart-Abbey, at 13-years-old joined JTCC’s Full-Time High Performance program in late 2022 to pursue her dream to be the best player she could be.

Smart-Abbey’s father, a seasoned tennis coach from Ghana, taught his 10-year-old daughter how to play tennis. She began making her mark at a young age in local tournaments by holding her own and competing in older age groups despite having only two years of tennis experience.

“Competing in the older age groups was challenging because I was still learning how to play tennis. I didn’t know what matches and tournaments would feel like because I was just used to hitting with my dad,” explained Smart-Abbey.

Smart-Abbey has dedicated herself to training and taking classes full-time while participating in the JTCC High Performance program and living with family friends in Maryland.

“Leaving New York to come to JTCC was tough initially because I left my family behind,” Smart-Abbey said. “I miss my parents, but I’ve enjoyed my time here thanks to the new friendships I’ve made and the rivalries we share on the court that push each other to improve.”

Smart-Abbey’s JTCC mentor is Staff Professional Ali Agnamba, who is from Togo, not far from her father’s homeland of Ghana in West Africa.

“Stefanie loves to have fun on the court, but at the same time, she trains hard and is receptive to feedback,” Agnamba said. “She moves extremely well, and one of our goals for her this year is to get her national ranking higher in order to compete in international tournaments.”

JTCC Winter Festival Sparks Excitement

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With more than 60 enthusiastic children and adults engaged in interactive tennis drills, the JTCC Winter Tennis Festival held on the indoor courts on February 3 was a smashing success to kicking off the first of four free festivals held throughout the year.

During the two-hour free event led by JTCC coaches and assisted by volunteers from the University of Maryland Men’s Club Lacrosse team, the players also participated in team-building activities to improve balance and coordination and enjoyed complimentary snacks.

After the fun concluded on court, smiling participants left with giveaways including water bottles and sunglasses donated by the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission and JTCC postcards featuring alumna Robin Montgomery.

Seven JTCC Players Announce Their College Commitments

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The dreams of seven hard-working student-athletes have been fulfilled with their commitments to play college tennis at prestigious institutions in the fall.

A signing day ceremony was held at JTCC on Thursday, January 11, with players, family members, and media in attendance.

JTCC players will be competing at five NCAA Division I universities and two NCAA Division III colleges. Headlining the signees is Stiles Brockett, who will be joining back-to-back National Champion powerhouse University of Virginia. He is a three-time United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Gold Ball winner.

JTCC congratulates these students and looks forward to following their successful college tennis careers:

Stiles Brockett – University of Virginia

Jason Daly – Colby College

Cole Henceroth – University of South Carolina

Amari O’Brien – Mount St. Mary’s University

Seth Sadikov – Swarthmore College

Shivaani Selvan – United States Air Force Academy

Yichen (Cindy) Zhao – Princeton University

JTCC Alumni Hitting Session Sparks Social Media Attention

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The past and present collided during winter break at JTCC when several alumni returned from college to train together with current High Performance players.

The holiday training sessions featured thrilling rallies, powerful serves, and a joyful camaraderie that showcased the success of the JTCC pathway.

The reunion also sparked attention on social media with a 55-second video of one of the hitting sessions posted on JTCC’s Instagram page generating 36,000 views, more than 196 hours of watch time, and 1,153 likes.

The impressive lineup of players included five current NCAA players—

Mikeal Carpenter (Morgan State University), Brian Cernoch (University of North Carolina), Ryan Colby (University of Georgia), Trinity Grear (Rice University), and Cyrus Mahjoob (University of Georgia).

“Coming back to JTCC over the holiday break is something I look forward to every year,” shared Cernoch. “Getting a high-quality practice with fellow alumni and being able to talk about college and reminisce on our times in College Park always brings back great memories.”

Grear echoes Cernoch’s sentiments.

“I know how fortunate I am to have such a great support system in place when I come home, and I don’t take it for granted,” stated Grear. “It allows us to have a proper preseason and stay sharp over the break so we can be ready to compete at a high level in the new year.”

To watch the clip of the players posted on social media, please click here.

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