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West Virginia Open Crowns Champions

Graff, Byers claim Open Division championships

WHEELING -- The Bordas & Bordas West Virginia Open concluded on Sunday, August 7, with finals in the five open divisions as well as age and NTRP (ability level) divisions.

"The level of competition in this year's event was fantastic. The players really impressed the crowd with their power, consistency, and finesse. Despite the occasional rain, we were able to conclude the event by using all three sites: Oglebay, Hilltop, and Wheeling Park Indoor Facility," said tournament director Debbie Pickens.

Lindsay Graff defended her title by repeating as champion in the Women's Open Singles. She defeated Kendall Kovick in two sets with scores of 6-1, 6-1.

Graff, 29, who grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, played her collegiate tennis at Princeton, where she was the Ivy League Player of the Year. She is currently living in Pittsburgh and completing a PhD in civil engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

"I don't have much time to train, so I am very pleased with this result," Graff said. "Competing against the much younger players is physically challenging but fun."

In the Men's Open Singles, Loren Byers, 20, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, defeated Ronnie Hulewicz by scores of 7-5, 6-3.

Byers, who recently won his first professional match, plans to pursue a career as a professional player. He will be a junior at Penn State, where he competes for the Nittany Lions men's team. He earned the title of Big 10 Freshman Player of the Year.

"Ronnie was a great competitor, but I was able to raise my level of play in the second and pull it out. This was a great tournament. I hope to return in 2023 to try to defend this title," reflected Byers.

In the Men's Open Doubles, Byers teamed up with Jake Patterson to defeat the team of Mitch Maroscher and George Barth by scores of 6-2, 6-1.

The team of Alexis Quackenbush/Amelia Williams championed with a score of 5-0/retirement when their opponents, Leanne Straub/Marissa Forshey were forced to stop play due to injury.

Graff earned her second title in the Mixed Open Doubles with partner Matthew Poh.

They defeated Malcolm Rasheed and Marija Bogicevic Camacho in three sets: 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

Other champions in singles include Christian Turak (men's 4.0), Jeff James (men's 60s), and Mark Panepinto (men's 40s).

An additional eight doubles divisions were highly contested. Champions were Mark Panepinto/Jim Crutchfield (men's 55s); Mark Schierenbeck/Jeff James (men's 65s); Maggie Allison/Julie Joseph (women's NTRP 7.5); Wyatt Andrews/Nick Pollock (men's NTRP 6.0); Joseph Altman/Michael Bummer (men's NTRP 8.0); Kyle Haas/Jeanlouise Hornberger (mixed NTRP 8.0); Bill Gallagher/Maggie Allison (mixed NTRP 7.5); and Matt Conaway/Julie Joseph (mixed NTRP 6.0).

Chris Freeman was named the 2022 recipient of the Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club Hall of Fame. In his acceptance speech, he stated, "while the competitive and physical nature of tennis attracts me, it is the friendships that I have made that have been the most rewarding long term. It also amazes me how many other tennis players volunteer their time to support our local tennis community."

On behalf of the USTA, Jeremy McClelland presented the Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club with two USTA Middle States awards: 2021 Community Tennis Association of the Year and 2021 Premier Provider of the Year.

In addition, Pickens was awarded the 2021 USTA Allegheny Mountain District/Middle States Section Tournament Director of the Year for her work on the Bordas & Bordas West Virginia Open.

Pickens thanked the title sponsor, the law firm of Bordas & Bordas, as well as all the sponsors of the WOTC. Those who sponsor the WOTC are recognized with signage displayed during the tournaments as well as on social media.

In reflection, Pickens concluded, "this event would not be possible without the volunteers, and I hope they know hope much they are appreciated."