Mia Nelson, Lake Stevens

1. How long have you been playing tennis?  One year
2. Where do you practice?  Columbia Athletic Club 
3. Do you play other tournaments?  Yes, I try to do one every month over the Summer
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis?   I was on the C-team first year of me playing tennis and the next year I was able to get on Varsity because of how much I practiced and improved over the summer last year
5. Do you have a favorite player?  I enjoy watching Rafa and Naomi Osaka 
6. How would you describe your game?  I prefer a faster pace game, I find it easier to handle than slower paced balls 
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  I want to play tennis for my school to my senior year and continue taking classes at Columbia throughout that

Brady Thomas, Jackson

1. How long have you been playing tennis?  10 years
2. Where do you practice?  Tennis Center Sandpoint 
3. Do you play other tournaments?  Yes, I play many USTA Champs tournaments and have started traveling to ITA tournaments and showcases.
4. What is your proudest accomplishment so far in tennis?   Being able to play at the State Tennis tournament earning 2^nd place overall with a great team and placing 2^nd in the singles draw
5. Do you have a favorite player?  Denis Shapovalov
6. How would you describe your game?  Aggresive 
7. What are your future plans in the sport?  I plan to train hard for the years to come, then I hope to play tennis at a University that values academics as much as they do sports

Anuj Vimawala, Summer Smash Gold Doubles and Gold Singles Champion, teamed up with Summer Smash alum Daniel Sohn to capture the 2019 4A Boys State title for Jackson High School. Jackson teammate Brady Thomas, a Summer Smash Gold Doubles and Mixed Doubles winner, fought his way to the 4A Singles Final before losing to Newport’s Amol Koli. Shorecrest’s Sophie Ivens took home a 7th place finish in 3A Doubles.

Westra Sports of Everett has announced it will return for a second year as Premier Sponsor for the Summer Smash; last year, Westra provided prizes for every division winner, and has greatly supported our tournament.

My son started playing USTA tournaments when he was 11; some Summers he would play 4 or 5 tournaments a month.  As a collegiate player, he still takes part in USTA matches in the offseason.  But one thing I noticed watching USTA matches was that the players show up for their matches in a mercenary grab for points, to improve their place in the standings.  The Snohomish Summer Smash is different.  First, there is the music.  This is not your father’s “Quiet, please, quiet” tennis.  The music makes it a festive atmosphere.  There is cornhole and ping-pong that the players entertain themselves with in-between matches.  There are no points involved; the players come back year after year because of the competition, and because it’s fun.  The players in the picture above are not all from the same high school; but over the past four years, not only have they been competitors, but have also become friends.  And besides developing them as players, that’s what the Snohomish Summer Smash is all about.

The 4th Annual Summer Smash has come to a close; 60 players from 15 high schools participated in some great tennis. All match scores are now in the 2018 Tournament Draws page, and photos are in 2018 Tournament Photos.  Congratulations to the following:

Boys Gold Singles winner Anuj Vimawala

Girls Gold Singles winner Abby Hahn

Boys Silver Singles winner Macen Strickland

Girls Silver Singles winner Maia Marks

Boys Gold Doubles winners Anuj Vimawala and Brady Thomas

Girls Doubles winners Tessa Rugg and Katri Shields

Boys Silver Doubles winners Colin and William MacDonald

Mixed Doubles winners Alexi Huffman and Jordan Megiveron

Boys C.L.A.S.S. winner Nick Berni

Girls C.L.A.S.S. winner Maia Marks