The winner of the 2024 Tracy Macnair Burrell Sportsmanship Award is Perla Camacho Villalobos Taft Union High School Eighteen outstanding senior girls were recently recognized with $3,000 in college scholarships for their outstanding accomplishments on and off the court in a dinner and awards ceremony at Hodel's Country Dining. Tracy Macnair Burrell, for whom the award is named, shared her thoughts as we celebrated these impressive young women before a crowd of nearly 100 that included families, coaches, and teammates. Each of these young women is a winner in tennis, academics, and service to others, so the Board was challenged to choose an overall winner. The winner of the 2024 Tracy Macnair Burrell Sportsmanship Award is Perla Camacho Villalobos from Taft Union High School. The selection process also identified four finalists: Article Here Jenna Duron Frontier High School Alina Leyva East High School Stephanie Sanchez Mira Monte High School Samantha Valdez Cesar Chavez High School BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Yareli Ramos Liauni Ando Katie Isabella Avila Hayden Gehring Gia Gutierrez Tracy Macnair Burrell Grace Mackall Katie Marchel Jenna Duron Samantha Valdez FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Nayeli Arredondo Julissa Rocha Jilianna Soriano Elizabeth Torres Emma Webdell Rosalicia Quiroz Alina Leyva Stephanie Sanchez Perla Camacho Villalobos Photos taken by Lauren Mayhew

KCTA 2023 Awards Kern Community Tennis Association recently recognized Sandy Matthews as the KCTA 2023 Person of the Year and Laura Rice with a Legacy Coach Award. Sandy was honored for her 24 years as the Chairperson and Treasurer of the Ladies Interclub League. The league has been in operation since the 1970s and is a key contributor to the spirit of cooperation that exists in the Bakersfield tennis community. Each year, Sandy and her team devote hundreds of hours to operate the best league in town that provides the camaraderie and competition that thousands of women of all ages have enjoyed. As those who have worked with Sandy can attest, no detail is ever too small. Laura moved to Bakersfield when she was recruited to play for the CSUB women’s tennis team. After a successful college career, Laura went on to be one of the best recreational players in the area, including 14 consecutive County Doubles Championships and being a member of the 1994 USTA National Open Mixed Doubles Team. Laura coached for several years at Bakersfield College and local clubs before joining the Ridgeview High faculty in 1999. She served as the JV coach before becoming the head varsity coach for both boys’ and girls’ tennis in 2007. Laura also heads the PE Department. Although many of her players are first exposed to tennis during their freshman year, her dedication enables Ridgeview to consistently field competitive teams. Her players are known for their love of the sport and respectful attitudes. Laura has changed hundreds of lives in her more than three decades as a youth coach. Pictured from left to right are Robert Limpias, KCTA President, Sandy Matthews, Laura Rice, and Hank Pfister. 2022 Fall Ladies' Clinic For MANY more pictures, click the photo above! Thank you to all who attended and to our pros!

Three spots on the KCTA Board of Directors open each year: Directors serve a 3-year term Monthly Meetings and Service Opportunities to help grow tennis for juniors and adults New ideas and love of the sport are all that is required! Nominations with 10 signatures is due by December 6, 2023- Voting on the nominations will take place in December, 2023 with new terms starting in January, 2024 We would love your input and involvement - please consider fellow players and yourself as possible candidates! The KCTA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board Members must be sponsored by tennis community members and are elected to their positions. Jerry Matthews President Melissa Sweaney Vice President Heather Tkac Treasurer Zach Gomez Secretary DIRECTORS Noel Dalton Clare Gilliam Nikki Hiebert Robert Limpias Paul Yanez Contact Information Admin@kctatennis.org (661) 747-4873

Bakersfield College Tennis Noel Dalton and Marc Gomez will be coaching the Men's and Women's Tennis Teams at Bakersfield College this Spring - come out and support BC Tennis! 2023 BC Women's Tennis Schedule>> 2023 BC Men's Tennis Schedule>> Marc has over three decades of playing and coaching experience. Marc started his tennis teaching career in 1996 as a Tennis Professional at Visalia Racquet Club after competing for the men’s tennis teams at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA and Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. He has coached high school boys' and girls' tennis teams which have won team and individual league and sectional championships. Marc teaches private tennis lessons and clinics full-time and is the Garces Memorial High School girls tennis coach. He remains active in tournament and league play. Noel Dalton played for Bakersfield College Men's Tennis in the early 80's and was the recipient of the BC Scholar Athlete Award in 1984 before finishing his degree at Pepperdine University. Noel has been an active USTA League player and Captain. Noel will be coaching the men.

Get to Know Our Clubs Tennis Clubs in Kern County Click Icons to Find out More! Stockdale Country Club Bakersfield Racquet Club - Seven Oaks Country Club Bakersfield Country Club

HIGH SCHOOL RACQUET AND SHOES DISTRIBUTION 2024-2025 Thank you for your support in making the 2024-2025 Equipment Distribution Program a success. On August 24, 2024 we treated the girls' high school athletes to their chance to get the racquets, shoes, tennis balls and sports bras to help them safely play their best - here are the stats: 150 Racquets 200 pairs of Tennis Shoes 250 Sports Bras 3000 Practice Tennis Balls The boys' season was launched on February 1st with donations of: 100 Racquets 220 pairs of Tennis Shoes 600 Articles of Clothing 2000 Practice Tennis Balls These number don't just happen - they are a result of your support and encouragement and we are grateful! Tehachapi athletes showing off their very PINK tennis shoes and racquets!

KCTA 2024 Annual Report Kern Community Tennis Association Our Purpose The Kern Community Tennis Association (KCTA) is a non-profit, volunteer based organization established in 1965 to develop and grow the game of tennis at all levels for both juniors and adults. The KCTA has a particular interest in partnering with high school tennis programs to help coaches and players acquire the racquets and other equipment they need to be successful. We sponsor free drills for jr. high and high school players as well as younger kids. The KCTA also coordinates and supports a schedule of tennis events and tournaments culminating in the Grand Prix Masters Championships for adults. Want to Participate? We encourage anyone interested in serving on the Board of Directors to contact the KCTA at bkuney@kerntennis.org for more information. The Board of Directors meets periodically throughout the year via e-mail or physical meetings. We also need and warmly welcome volunteers who want to help in the drills we offer to juniors or other outreach programs - please let us know if you are interested! Nominations will be accepted for 2025 KCTA Board positions in November Nominations for 2025 will be accepted in November of 2025 with voting taking place in December 2025. You may nominate yourself or someone you feel is interested in promoting tennis for juniors and adults right here in Kern County. Ten signatures are needed for each nomination. The deadline for the nominations is Monday, December 6, 2025 Refurbished Used Racquets Get A Chance to Shine Again! Thank you to all of you who donated racquets. They were lovingly restrung and regripped and handed over to young men who needed a good racquet to play their best. They now know that they are supported by many men and women they've never met, but who share their love of tennis. Thank You All So Very Much! Tennis Serves Others (TSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that unites tennis ladies to organize and promote charitable activities. TSO is partnering with KCTA by collecting gently-used tennis clothing and shoes to support the "Shopping Spree" that is part of our launch of the high school girls' tennis season. This year the Shopping Spree provided over 1500 items to nearly 400 girls. Jerry Matthews receiving a small portion of the gear donated from Kelley McBride, TSO CEO. Advancements In Women's Tennis Article regarding girl's and women's tennis! Read More

KCTA is providing Tennis Scholarships to high school players KCTA began sponsoring professional instruction for high school players in the summer of 2021. Since that time more than 400 student athletes have benefitted from up to 15 hours of small group instruction. This has been made possible through the support of our sponsors and partnerships with local teaching professionals and Bakersfield’s four private clubs. These scholarship lessons are available to players from every high school in Kern County, but the request must come through the team coach. Player eligibility will be determined by a demonstrated commitment to the sport, agreement to attend at least 90% of the sessions, and financial need. There is no cost to the players or their schools. For more information, contact Jerry Matthews at jerrymatthews004@gmail.com