LITM Challenge Hits the Hamptons
On a beautiful saturday afternoon in Quogue, 85 players came out to compete in the first Long Island Tennis Magazine (LITM) Challenge of 2023, a Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles tournament held at Sportime Quogue.
Continuing its push to provide some of the most premier and unique adult tennis tournaments, the LITM Challenge kicked off this year’s summer series which featured intense competition across 18 courts and six different doubles divisions. The event also included catered lunch, a happy hour, media coverage, prizes and much more, all taking place within the beautiful setting of the Hamptons.
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The tournament featured round-robin matches to ensure each team was guaranteed enough play, with those round-robin matches leading into the knockout rounds. In the Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 division, it was Tanya Mattera & Anne McConville who came away with the victory as the pairing secured the win in a tiebreaker.
“It was very key,” Mattera said of winning some decisive points in the breaker. “She knows I like playing at the net and she does a great job of setting me up there, and she was able to do that today.”
The duo doesn’t play as much doubles together as they used to, in fact, the last time they did play together was at a LITM Challenge event two years ago. They were able to rekindle that chemistry to come away with this year’s title.
Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 Division Winners: Tanya Mattera & Anne McConville
“Our schedules don’t align anymore, and the last time we played together was actually here,” added McConville. “These events are great and it’s why we came back.”
Theresa Belkin & Agne Rakauskas were the victors in the Women’s 7.0 – 7.5 doubles division, and are already planning to come back next time to try and do it again.
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“It was a very good level of tennis, with a lot of good teams,” said Rakauskas. “We’ll be back next time to defend out title.”
Belkin added:
“From start to finish, everything was awesome today, the event was well-organized and well-put together. We started off slow today but were able to get our heads together throughout the tournament and kept our eye on the ball.”
Women’s Doubles 7.0 – 7.5 Division Winners: Theresa Belkin & Agne Rakauskas
Jeff Silverman & Kevin Vander Schaff teamed up for the first time as doubles partners, and quickly found the teamwork needed to win the Men’s 7.0 – 7.5 doubles title. The pairing credited their ability to not get too down during the matches, a strategy that proved to be the difference.
“We stuck to our game plan, stayed focused and stayed with it even if we were down,” said Silverman. “We just wanted to keep going and focus on the next point.”
Vander Schaff added:
“The event was great, perfect weather and a beautiful club. We were happy to be here.”
Men’s Doubles 7.0 – 7.5 Division Winners: Jeff Silverman & Kevin Vander Schaff
After winning one of the LITM Challenge events last year, Raimundas Rakauskas and Marijus Kuzavas were back to defend that title and did just that, teaming up again to win the Men’s 8.0 – 8.5 division. It wasn’t as easy this time around, but the duo was able to lean on their experience from last year to come away victorious.
“This one was tough, we had to keep our composure, there were a lot of moments where we weren’t performing well, so I think pulling ourselves up during those tight moments was the key,” said Rakauskas. “This was great, as always. We came here last year and won so we had to come back to defend out title, plus this is a lovely event with a great staff.”
Men’s Doubles 8.0 – 8.5 Division Winners: Raimundas Rakauskas and Marijus Kuzavas
“We’ll be back next time to defend our title once again!” Kuzavas added.
Communication was the key for Francesca Roth & Dierdre Ettus as they took home the Women’s 9.0 – 9.5 title.
“Francesca is a good doubles player and we’ve had success together before. We communicate a lot on the court which helps,” said Ettus. “We played a few times together over the winter so it was great to come out here and win.”
Ettus emphasized the best part of the day was just being able to be out there competing together.
Women’s Doubles 9.0 – 9.5 Division Winners: Francesca Roth & Dierdre Ettus
“Being at a level where we are healthy enough to play, and with a great friend, makes this a fun day.”
David Maher & Alex Soyars were able to use their complimentary games to come away victorious in the Men’s 9.0 – 9.5 division and capturing the title.
“We are a good combination because I have a bit more power, and David has that touch and finesse in his game. We both move very well and there aren’t many balls we can’t get to,” said Soyars. “Our opponents in the finals were a good team, always making us hit a second shot, and played really good tennis. It was just our day.”
The key to the win was being able to win those points on the long rallies.
“We tried to make sure to get all the balls back and play out the point,” said Maher. “W were able to sustain the rally until the point was over just a little better today.”
Men’s Doubles 9.0 – 9.5 Division Winners: David Maher & Alex Soyars
The continued success of the LITM Challenge events would not be possible without the commitment of the players, both returning and new ones, as well as all the people who help put the event together.
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“There are many options for local players when it comes to racquet sports, and we are appreciative that so many players came out and chose our event. To get this many players into this tournament was a real success. I believe this is an indication that players see the professionalism and quality we bring to the events we host, and that they have a great time on and off the court,” said David Sickmen, co-tournament director of the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge. “I certainly want to thank our beautiful host facility, Sportime Quogue, as well as my co-director Michelle Stoerback, whose passion and energy for adult tennis is second to none, and our LITM Event staff, who did a fantastic job. We look forward to more community involvement, and are excited to see everyone at our next Challenge.”
The next LITM Challenge will be held on Saturday, July 29 at Cold Spring Country Club. To register or for more information, visit LITennisMag.com/Events/LITMJulyChallenge.
