The Friday Flyer • February 19, 2016

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 19, 2016
Baby boy survives heart surgery at 3 weeks old Pg. A8
Nathaniel Dodson leads EHS to Sunbelt League victory Pg. A7
'Huey's Heroes' lets children read to pets at AFV shelter Pg. A10
Tennis Club has programs for youth to adults
BY SHARON RICE
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER
The Canyon Lake Tennis Club is one of the busiest and most age-diverse groups in Canyon Lake. Eight adult U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) teams compete in league levels 3.0 to 5.0 un- der the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP). Recently, the Canyon Lake Women’s 4.0 Team went to the USTA Sectionals Championship at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden January 22 to 24 after winning their local league in the Inland Empire.
According to spokesperson Becky Ness, the team won their flight after beating San Gabriel Valley and San Fer- nando Valley. They then advanced to the final championship round against Beach Cities Sunday afternoon.
Ultimately, they finished the champi- onship in 2nd place, with team captain Julie Lessley saying, “I am so proud of our team! This is the first time we have made it all the way to the final champi- onship round.”
Becky says the team has been play- ing together for more than 12 years. The
women practice as a team, but there are some permanent doubles. Each season they determine who will play what posi- tions.
“Baba Soysa is our pro and has taught us excellent skills to help us succeed at this high level of play,” says Becky. “There were over 100 4.0 tennis teams throughout Southern California compet- ing to go to Sectionals. Being No. 2 was very exciting!”
Becky adds that Canyon Lake is very competitive in the USTA at all levels and says, “Tennis league is great fun! We play in fall, winter and spring leagues as well as club tournaments (in Canyon Lake) each month.” Tennis Club Vice-President Val Gambina is the club’s USTA team coordinator.
Each division usually plays between six and eight teams from other clubs per season. The clubs are from Claremont, Riverside, Redlands, Temecula, Mur- rieta, Lake Arrowhead, San Jacinto and Silverlake.
Tennis Club President Marga Kidd
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At top, some of the Canyon Lake Women’s 4.0 Team members are Meg Markley, Ronda Smyth-Benner, Julie Lessley, Laurie Hebein, Kristen Kennedy and Becky Ness. (See other members at www.fridayflyer.com.) Above, a new tennis pro, Tony Chatfield, has begun helping Canyon Lake Tennis Pro Baba Soysa with his busy schedule of lessons.
PHOTO BY MARGA KIDD PHOTO PROVIDED BY BECKY NESS