02 Dec Team Jones captain reflects on experience at USTA League National Championships
2024 was a great year for USTA Kansas, and our USTA League teams left it all out on the courts. USTA Kansas was well-represented at the USTA League National Championships taking place across the country, and we’re so proud of everyone who participated!
One such squad, Team Jones, an 18 & Over 10.0 Mixed team out of Wichita, had an incredible run at nationals. The team’s captain, Dylan Jones, reflected on this memorable season and how tennis brought his team together.
“We had a great time at nationals on and off the court,” Jones said. “We all stayed in a rented house together, and I think that speaks to how close the group is.”
The team finished fourth out of 94 total teams in their age division—including the 10 teams that competed at the national championships on Nov. 1-3.
The crew has a common bond, one that’s Wichita-centric.
“One unique part of this team is that five of our eight players all work at the same Genesis club in Wichita,” Jones said. “It goes to show the caliber of tennis we have in the state right now.”
Team Jones’s performance at the national championships is a product of hard work, dedication and support of one another.
“I loved captaining this group; everyone played hard for each other and it was a pleasure to watch these guys and gals compete,” Jones said. “Most of our players spend hours and hours doing drills for clients or feeding balls, so to see them cut loose and really hit the ball was great.”
It wasn’t all hard work for the team during their trip, however. The group found time to grow their bond off the court as well.
“Overall, the most memorable moments were just hanging out together,” Jones said. “Making a large team dinner, going to the zoo … it’s the little things like that for me.”