Gainesville Tennis

05/16/2026

Well, the 2026 edition of GACTA's Middle School Tennis program is officially a "wrap".

On Friday, May 15th, The Frazer School battled Jordan Glen School for the Middle School Tennis Championship. As had been the case all season, the two teams were very well matched. In the end, the Frazer School pulled out the victory (as they had twice during the regular season) against defending Champion Jordan Glen, by a close 8 games. Brendan and Hannah won a very competitive match at #1 Doubles vs. Sol and Nik, 6-5. It was great seeing the level of support teammates and families showed during the matches; and excellent sportsmanship was on display throughout!

Congratulations to the 24 Frazer School players, their parent-coordinator Bhumi Rawal (with support from last year's parent coordinators Shuhong), and coach Chris McDonald (JETA).

Bhumi, you were a wonderful first year parent-coordinator! Thank you.
Nicole, you have been the parent-coordinator for Jordan Glen since 2017, and you have always been a joy to work with. Thank you so much for all you have done for your teams over the years!

And to the coaches, Dave Porter (Jordan Glen) and Chris McDonald and JETA Coaches (the Frazer School), many, many thanks!

05/16/2026

On Sunday, May 10th, GACTA's first individual doubles tournament was held at the Jonesville Tennis Center. The participating teams represented doubles teams who played at or near the top of the line ups for the regular season. Even though it was Mother's Day, 11 doubles teams entered the competition, representing Jordan Glen, The Frazer School, The Rock School, Lincoln Middle School, and Kanapaha. Thank you moms, for sharing your children with us!

There were a number of of competitive, exciting matches, but in the end, Brendan and Hannah (Frazer) defeated Sol and Nik (Jordan Glen) 6-3 in the final. The winner of the back draw was a Kanapapha team (Manni Vega and Emma Haager), who defeated Owen and Kyle (Lincoln).

Here's a few photos from the tournament.

05/09/2026

Well, the Friday afternoon match play (and end-of-season parties) for four of our middle school tennis teams didn't quite go as planned. Just as everyone had gathered (Howard Bishop and Lincoln at T.B. McPherson courts and Oak View and St. Patrick School at Jonesville Tennis Center) and started warming up, the skies open and drenched both facilities. Thus, no tennis matches were played. But the Kona Ice trucks still came, and the end of season celebrations continued! Congratulations to all and a special thanks to the following coaches and parent coordinators:

St. Patrick School: Co-parent coordinators Blakely Porter and Alyson Dew, coaches Alexis and Imani King, with back up from Noah. Amazing first season, your enthusiasm really inspired your team!

Howard Bishop: Naseem Shah, parent-coordinator, Coaches Candie Wilkie and Sean Bernard. Naseem, we will miss you, you've been wonderful!

Lincoln: Co-parent coordinators Jaclyn Hall and Marie Kessler, Coaches George Henry (Play Tennis Gainesville) and AIM coach Sophia. So very much appreciate your commitment to inclusion and support of the Lincoln team! It all worked! Your practices were the best!

Oak View: Parent-coordinator Jennifer Troy and Coach Robert Taylor. You were both so busy this spring with high school tennis, but you both did a fabulous job supporting the Oak View team! Many thanks!

A few photos from the Friday festivities at T. B. McPherson

05/03/2026

It's May, and the GACTA Middle School Tennis season is winding down. Lots of end-of-school year activities led to four of ten teams ending their season on Friday May 1st. For their final match, The Rock School played a very competitive Kanapaha team, and Kanapaha squeaked out the victory by one game. Such a difference in the level of play between their first match at the end of February and the beginning of May!

At Westside Park, Westwood and Fort Clarke had music, pizza and the Kona Ice truck, and mixed it up for a final match and party. Looked like a fun time for all (except for one unfortunate pre-match injury; we all wish you a quick recovery!)

Many, many thanks to the parent-coordinators and coaches who make all this possible, you all set a wonderful example for your team, by sharing your love of tennis and being great role-models for your players.
Westwood: Natalie Skotko and Steve Blay, with Westwood Coach Annabelle
Fort Clarke: Jhanna Gilbert with 300 Club Coaches Alexis and Imani
The Rock School: Naomi Edmunds and Corey Mearns, with JTC Coach Chris Janowicz
Kanapaha: Katie Shepard and (awesome) Hawkstone coach Heather Gibson

Matches also continued at Tom Petty and T.B. McPherson courts, with The Frazer School vs. Lincoln (Frazer School won) and Jordan Glen vs. Howard Bishop (Jordan Glen won). St. Patrick will play Oak View at JTC later today (Sunday).

04/30/2026

Today is the Amazing Give, the day of community giving. There are many worthy non-profits asking for your support, but I hope you consider donating to Aces in Motion, the primary program of the Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association. Founded in 2014 and based in east Gainesville, Aces in Motion (AIM) is a dynamic, sports-based Out-of-School Time program dedicated to youth development. Leveraging the discipline and strategy of tennis, AIM nurtures the whole child, fostering physical fitness, emotional well-being, and academic success.

Beyond teaching the fundamentals of tennis, we emphasize the sport's invaluable life lessons: learning, integrity, teamwork, community, resilience and passion.

Please consider a donation. Here is the link:

I’m ready to support Aces In Motion on April 30, 2026 during The Amazing Give. Learn more about Aces In Motion and all the other organizations participating in The Amazing Give.

04/29/2026

A few photos of the warm-ups at JTC on Friday April 24th. The Middle School Tennis matches were between Kanapapha and Fort Clarke (Kanapaha won) and Oak View and Jordan Glen (Jordan Glen won). Love the team building by the parent coordinators Jhanna Gilbert (Fort Clarke), Jennifer Troy and Robert Taylor (Oak View), Dave Porter and Nicole Christie (Jordan Glen) and Heather Gibson and Katie Shepard (Kanapaha)!

04/29/2026

As the month of April draws to an end, the GACTA Middle School Tennis season continues. Matches were held on Friday and Sunday (April 24th and 26th). Photos the match between Kanapaha and the Frazer School on Sunday at JTC.

04/24/2026

The FHSAA State Tennis Championships continued with the Regional semi-final matches on Tuesday, with the District winners and runner-ups playing either at home or away. The Eastside Girls team, both the PK Yonge Boys and Girls teams, and the Gainesville High School Boys team all advanced to the Regional Finals, played today (Thursday), while the Oak Hall Boys and Girls teams, the Eastside Boys team, and the Buchholz Boys team did not advance.

Today, the Eastside Girls (home), the GHS Boys (away), and the PK Yonge Boys and Girls teams (home) in the Regional Finals. Although all teams gave it their best effort, only the PK Yonge Boys Team will travel to the State Championship next week in Orlando. (There will be individual players as well at State in a separate bracket (District Singles and Doubles winners).

Congratulations to all the players and coaches, in particular to first year PK Yonge Boys Coaches Dave Porter and Brad Case!

04/24/2026

Last Sunday, there was one GACTA Middle School Tennis match at JTC; Howard Bishop played Oak View, and Howard Bishop emerged the winner. A lot of Royal Blue out there!