news: Get to know the teams

Ron Cioffi/USTA Southern

Sarah Faith Ingell hits a backhand while
brother, Will, is towered over by his
doubles partner.

Sister/Brother Duo Driven
By Mother Of Invention

TENNESSEE TEAM HAS
FAMILY CONNECTION

By Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern

This team was short on boys … so they picked a short boy.

When Raul Fernandez of Racquet Club of Chattanooga was assembling a 14 Intermediate team, he knew he couldn’t be very successful with only three boys. So, he knew one of his girls, 14-year-old Sarah Faith Ingell, had a brother with some skills.

“They said they were short on boys,” said Will, her 11-year-old brother. “So, they asked me to play.”

He also mentioned the height difference. “I’m 4’ 11”. She’s 5’5”.” But, this reporter questioned that there was only six inches difference. “Will, she looks about a full head taller than you,” he heard.

Will’s stature helps him on court in doubles. “I play with the tallest boy on the team. They always hit to the smaller player. I like getting to hit … so, it’s fun.”

Sarah Faith and Will started playing when they were each four years old.

Sarah Faith is a singles player while Will plays doubles. “I give him tips. I always root for him whenever he’s on court,” she explained.

While the family camaraderie is evident, mixed doubles together was a short-lived experiment.

“Mixed doubles? Oh, that was a disaster!” lamented the sister.

The match was “against a rival. And I was a little nervous. We just got on each other’s nerves,” Will countered. “Never again. We have to learn to deal with our tempers.”

However, the combo enjoys just hitting at the neighborhood courts together and always having a practice partner.

Fernandez, who teaches as the club, said, “I wanted to have at least four or five boys. So, I asked the Ingells if Will could play and they were fine with it. Our goal was to win at States. Getting here was gravy.”

Dubbed the Chattanooga Lightning, the team wears white with a thunderbolt logo. “We’ve had the name for about three years. Once the artwork was done, I figured I’d stick with it.”

Sister/Brother Duo Driven By Mother Of Invention

TENNESSEE TEAM HAS FAMILY CONNECTION

Sister/Brother Duo Driven
By Mother Of Invention

TENNESSEE TEAM HAS
FAMILY CONNECTION