ST. GEORGE — U’i Afualo’s tennis odyssey began in middle school with the encouragement of friends – and, as she recalls, “a little wooden racquet.”
That was over three decades ago. Fast forward to the weekend of March 25-26, which found Afualo and nearly 100 tennis players taking part in the World Team Tennis Recreational League March Madness Tournament at Tonaquint Park in St. George.
Her vision for quality tennis for adults has been ongoing, but it began to take shape in November 2021 when she flew to Orlando, Florida, to watch her friend Danny Tran compete at WTT Nationals. While there, she met with WTT officials, who seemed interested in her vision and encouraged her to spearhead the effort in St. George.
“Competitive tennis is really what I’m looking for,” said Afualo, reflecting on this pivotal experience. “I thought, ‘This could work in my little town.’”
And it has.
With the support of fellow tennis players and an internal fire burning to compete, Afualo has planned and implemented two WTT national qualifier tournaments in St. George, each one drawing 8-10 local teams and several from Salt Lake City and Mesquite, Nevada.
She also has secured a few sponsors – Bangerter Frazier Group, Madsen’s Printhouse and Vacation Resort Solutions – to offset costs incurred from printing, T-shirts and prizes for these tournaments.
The February and March events have provided players with opportunities to advance to the national qualifier, which will be May 13-15 in Las Vegas. Another qualifier is set for April 8-9 in Orem, and Afualo will coordinate that event as well.
It’s apparent Afualo’s love and passion for tennis have impacted fellow tennis enthusiasts.
“World Team Tennis is so much fun,” teammate Isaac Manutai said. “I love how we get to work together as a team to compete in various events (doubles, mixed doubles and singles). This is my second time participating in a WTT event and I just can’t get enough of it.”
Austin Sweaney, who plays mixed doubles with Afualo, echoed Manutai’s sentiments and emphasized how a competitive but fun atmosphere pervades.
“World Team Tennis is a great way to bring together the competitive drive everyone has for tennis and also the team spirit that brings the fun to it as well,” said Sweaney, adding that the “highlight of the tournament was being able to cheer my teammates on while at the same time playing for my team.”
The fun aspect of WTT Rec League shines through not only in the players’ words but in the team names themselves. Among them are Ace Holes, On the Rocks, Mixed Troubles and Lord of the Strings. The players also enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with music playing even during competitive play.
WTT Rec League requires players to provide documentation of their skill level in order to create a fair but competitive format. The levels, which range from 3.5 to 4.5, are commensurate with tennis skills and experience to ensure, for example, that a former Division I tennis player is not paired against a beginner.
Additionally, the WTT Rec League website describes the league as follows:
Started in 1985, the WTT Recreational League program features year-round leagues that have provided playing opportunities and instructional clinics for more than 750,000 tennis players of all ages and abilities across the United States. WTT Recreational Leagues are played in parks, schools, clubs and tennis facilities in more than 1,000 U.S. cities. The format features co-ed teams competing in six sets: men’s and women’s doubles, men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles.
Afualo, who graduated from Mountain View High School in 1991, excelled at volleyball and basketball. She took up competitive tennis her junior year, playing No. 2 singles, and her success continued her senior year when she qualified for the state tournament at No. 1 doubles. Her drive and determination, her friends say, make her likable and worthy of respect.
She not only makes sure the tournaments run smoothly, but she also competes, which was her original objective.
“When I’m out on the court, I just have to drop everything and play my game,” said Aflalo of balancing her responsibilities. “Fun and exciting energy with competitive team play – that’s our goal.”
Whether playing with her or against her, Manutai said Afualo’s drive is obvious – and infectious.
“U’i is a firecracker, just full of energy and good vibes,” Manutai said. “She is super competitive and has a deep love for the game. She’s the type who likes to win but hates to lose. I think that’s why we get along so well.”
Added Sweaney: “There is not a person in the world who loves tennis more than her. She is the reason we have such an amazing tennis community here.”
Following are results from the March Madness Tournament:
Winning teams
3.5: Ace of Spades, St. George (Thomas Hilmes, Julia Schwerdt, QueHirschi, Sungjin Renouf, Tad Olpin)
4.0-A: Taste My Backhand, St. George (U’i Afualo, Afton Staeli Balderree, Austin Sweaney, Danny Tran, Tanner Castro)
4.0-B: Mixed Troubles, Salt Lake City (Jordyn Perry, Colby Pomeroy, Janae Smith, Jim Madsen, Kandice Taylor, Megan Rytting, Tony Lew)
4.5: Drop Shot Divas, Salt Lake City (Gavin Hatter, Jordyn Perry Megan Rytting, Ryan Fyfe, Tony Lew)
Click here for additional results.
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