WMTA Midwest Qualifier: Midwest Level 4

Future Match Info Report

Please click blue future match info button above for Match times. Draws are up with "unofficial times" to allow our district families to better plan their weekend.

The times posted on the draw sheets are for general reference only. Due to ACT/ SAT tests these times are subject to change. Please utilize the match cards that are given out at the sites as official times.

This year’s qualifier will be centered around the tennis courts of the Portage school system in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Portage for GPS). Other nearby tennis facilities will also be utilized in the event of rain or on a as needed basis. Most sites are no more than 5-7 minites from each other. Main site addresses are as follows: *Portage West Middle School--" WEST" (7145 Moorsbridge Road Portage, MI 49024) * Portage Central High School--"PCHS" (8135 S Westnedge Ave.Portage, MI 49002) * Portage Northern High School--"NORTH" (1000 Idaho Avenue Portage, MI 49024) * Maple Street YMCA--"YMCA" (1001 West Maple Street Kalamazoo, MI. 49008. * Kalamazoo Valley Community College--"KVCC (6767 W O Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49009)

12's-18's main draw matches will be the best two of three sets with a 12 point tiebreak at 6 games all. The tournament is a full feed-in consolation event. This includes a 3/4 playoff. All events will utilize a match tie-breaker for the third set until the finals or the consolation final in the 12-18's events. This change was made by the WMTA Competetion Committee to deal with newly past USTA rest guidlines. The Wilson US Open is the official tournament ball for the 12-18's events. The 10's will use the new Wilson green dot low compression ball. Players may be required to play three matches on a single day. *The WMTA competition committee approved this plan so players still in school could participate and that the Qualifier may end in a timely manner. NO additional match time avoidances will be considered past the close of the registration process.

After dealing with 140+ avoidance requests...this process is now closed. No other requests will be honored at this time. There are no exceptions!! The draws are completed and we are working on the posting of match times. This process was held open until Tuesday at midnight.

The WMTA Qualifier is open only to those players whose primary residence is within the Western Michigan Tennis Association boundaries. This event is a qualifier for the USTA/ Midwest Sectional Closed. Juniors may only compete in one age division and must play the age group they wish to attempt to qualify for. (No exceptions).Players are eligible in an age division until the month they age up... (example: 12 turning 13 in June would be in 14's).

PLAY STARTS ON FRIDAY JUNE 8th AT 12:00 NOON:: Due to school schedules, play will begin at 1:00 noon. Players still in school should request a match avoidance time (please see next section for information). While many of the main draws will be completed over the weekend, Some feed-in consolation events could conclude as late as June 7th. These factors are controlled by number of event participants. Match times will be available on this site on Wednesday June 6th.

The school year is getting longer in our area. Unfortunately, with a full calendar the district is mandated to hold it's qualifier over these dates.Only conflicts for regularly scheduled school days, a players high school graduation service (no family member) or the SAT/ACT test will be considered. Sporting events, graduation parties, school trips,parents work schedule, elementry or middle school graduations are not valid requests for this purpose. Legitimate requests must be emailed to the tournament director. Each will be individually evaluated if requested before entry deadline. Players will receive match times that will take account of the end of school day or time of test. Drive time will be allocated based upon distance. Be sure to include full information of the player and contact numbers. Emailed conflicts must be sent to twalker136@gmail.com before the tournament entry deadline to be considered.

The Draw is open to any party who wishes to be an observer. We invite anyone who has concerns over procedures to avail themselves of the process. Draws are completed as per USTA regulations using the TDM computer program. There is no special handling or manipulations of these results. On the occasion the computer cannot distinguish proximity of cities, the player (non-seeds) are moved into the closest allowable location. (WMTA rules mandate that we protect players from a same city match in the first round if possible) The original draws are signed and placed into a sealed envelope for verifacation purposes.

* This has changed for 2012 as Western Michigan has lost a quota spot (6). Semi-finalists in the main draws, Champion in the consolation draws and 1 other player per event (based on year long record, Midwest Ranking and qualifier performance), will qualify outright for the USTA Midwest Closed. These players and others who may wish to apply as an alternate, must complete the online entry and provide the district endorser with their conformation number before their final match of the qualifier. Girls endorser: Maurice Palmer Boys endorser: Tom Walker *Please note (The above is a simplistic overview of endorsement procedures. There are exceptions to these. For full rule details consult the bottom of this page.) * This procedure was just approved by WMTA Junior Competetion Committee.

In each age division a list of alternates will be compiled. A varying number of these players may be accepted into the Midwest Closed. This procedure is carried out by the USTA Midwest Tennis Association. Final player selection is based upon ranking/results versus other district’s players for the current year.

Western Michigan juniors compete each year against the thirteen other districts that make up the Midwest Tennis Section. These elite team competitions are June 15-17th. Selection to represent our district is a limited privilege. Individual age group coaches will be evaluating and selecting players based upon match results, game development, sportsmanship, and year long player record during the qualifier. The coaches will accompany their teams to compete in the following age groups and locations: Girl’s 18’s- Illinois University, Boy’s 18’s Kalamazoo Michigan, Boy’s & Girl’s 14’s-Purdue University, Boy’s & Girl’s 12’s –Greenwood Indiana (Indianapolis). Parents will be expected to provide transportation and supervision and transportation for the 12’s-14’s teams. Further information including details & costs will be available at the qualifier tournament desk or by contacting the Western Michigan District office.

All players desiring to be endorsed to the Midwest Closed or to be considered as an alternate must complete an online entry for the event. Players must then provide the District Endorser with their individual confirmation number before the conclusion of the qualifier. The Endorser will then inform the player as to their status within 48 hours.

The tournament committee will base seeding on the most current lists and tournament play available. Seeding will be a blend of sectional and national seeding lists. District rankings will only be used if higher level information is not available.* New for 2012( The tournament director may now consider outstanding International, National or Sectional results in all age groups in the endeavor of properly seeding the event.) Please fax a player record only if...your tournament online record is in error or you have substantial ITF results.

Awards will be presented to the top 5 or 6 finishers of each age division. (based on draw size)

Staff Co-directors-Tom Walker (pre-event set-up), Emily Dumas (draw, event production) Head Referee: Pete Militzer

There is no Midwest Closed for the 10's division. However, the winner of the Boy's and Girl's 10's will be invited to represent our district in the 10's sectional shoot-out later this summer.

* (Guidelines are under review for 2012 Qualifier) *The district endorser shall submit to the Midwest Closed for said number of quota spots: (new 2012) Six (6) automatic spots: • Four (4) Semifinalist in the main draw • One (1) Champion in the FIC draw an additional player(1) will be selected by the endorser. This player may be either the highest ranked remaining midwest player, a top seed that was injured in the event, or the FIC Finalist. The endorser has latitude to consider the draw and head to head results in this choice. The endorser must have these players confirmed by a speccial sub-committee made up of WMTA JCC members. Seven (7) spots: • Four (4) Semifinalist in the main draw • Two (2) Finalists in the FIC draw • One (1) player based on highest Midwest ranking in the USTA ranking update immediately following the tournament Eight (8) spots: • Four (4) Semifinalist in the main draw • Two (2) Finalists in the FIC draw • One (1) player based on highest Midwest ranking in the USTA ranking update immediately following the tournament • One (1) player based on tournament performance combined with year long record and MW ranking (suggest Endorser select from FIC losing Semifinalists, but may take into account other players based on significant tournament wins or displaced draws.) Nine (9) spots: • Four (4) Semifinalist in the main draw • Four (4) Semifinalists in the FIC draw • One (1) player based on highest Midwest ranking in the USTA ranking update immediately following the tournament Ten (10) spots: • Four (4) Semifinalist in the main draw • Four (4) Semifinalists in the FIC draw • One (1) player based on highest Midwest ranking in the USTA ranking update immediately following the tournament • One (1) player based on tournament performance combined with year long record and MW ranking (suggest Endorser select from FIC losing Semifinalists, but may take into account other players based on significant tournament wins or displaced draws.) **An exception to the above is when a highly-ranked player requests and is granted an injury exemption from the District Qualifier. In this case, the exempt player will take the quota spot of the highest ranked player not qualifying. If there are only six spots, the exempt player would take the place of the FIC Finalist. District Alternates: In each age division a list of alternates will be compiled. A varying number of these players may be accepted into the Midwest Closed. This procedure is carried out by the USTA Midwest Tennis Association. Final player selection is based upon ranking/results versus other district’s players for the current year. Player responsibilities: All players desiring to be endorsed to the Midwest Closed or to be considered as an alternate must complete an online entry for the event. Players must then provide the District Endorser with their individual confirmation number before the conclusion of the qualifier. The Endorser will inform the player as to their status within 48 hours. Endorsement exceptions: The District endorsers may deviate from these guidelines only to address or remedy any unforeseen /unusual situations. These may include but are not limited to injuries, defaults, and soft/uneven draws. In doing so, the endorser may use his or her best judgment in filling quota spots. Endorsers are always expected to act in the best interest of the district and the Midwest Tennis Association.