The club’s pros encourage practice matches. Don Campbell recommends that all players practice by playing others at different levels. Take turns playing people who are at your level, above your level, and below your level. That way you learn to play in any situation.

Practice matches can be booked indoors before 4pm weekdays and after 2pm on Saturday. On Sunday there are courts available 6–7pm at $22 per hour. Courts can be reserved six days in advance. Talk to Don Campbell or any of our teaching pros to find a practice partner. Junior walk-on time (JWOT) is available any time for $22 per hour. Call the club an hour before you want to play to find out if there is a court available. JWOT is available to junior members only.

Our teaching staff will meet with the parents and players of the Young Players, Tournament Preparation, and Competitive Training groups to discuss various competitive opportunities for juniors. The meeting will include information about practice play, interclub matches, USTA teams, and tournaments. It will be held Friday, October 14, 7–8pm in the HVTC restaurant.

The next session of Junior Excellence starts October 24. If you anticipate absences from the Junior Excellence classes, fees may be prorated if you ask at the desk for a blue Request to Prorate form and submit it during the first week of the session. Simply telling the desk personnel or the pros that a student will not attend will not trigger prorated fees. For those absences that were not declared and prorated, we have Junior Excellence makeup days (no additional charge) scheduled for 4:30–6pm Monday, November 21, and Monday, December 12.

Are you ready for spooktacular tennis? Martin “Count Dracula” Topliss hosts this annual extravaganza for juniors, featuring music, prizes, tennis games, and pizza (watch out for a spider on your pizza). Prizes are awarded for the best costumes, so dig in the attic for creative outfits and come join us for a night of surprises on Friday, October 28, 7–9pm. The cost is $18 per junior player. Please sign up at the desk.

HVTC celebrates the hard work of all its captains with a dinner on Wednesday, October 19. If you are a team captain and haven’t reserved your place at the table, call the club before Monday, October 17. Our cook, Ronda, will once again be providing a fantastic meal.