It was another special experience in a week full of them for coach Bill McClain and the Antietam tennis program.
The members of the Mounts girls tennis team were the guests of the Conrad Weiser tennis program on its annual trip to the U.S. Open on Tuesday for Fan Week and qualifying.
The day capped an eventful few days for Antietam tennis, which suffered severe damage to its courts and lost equipment during last month’s flooding.
At last week’s Ellesse Pro Tennis Challenge, Antietam received $2,500 through the Aces for Antietam program — the Berks County Tennis Association donated $10 for each ace hit during the event — as well as from a portion of the proceeds from the tournament donated by the City of Reading Tennis Program.
Diadem Sports, a manufacturer of tennis equipment, also donated more than $1,500 worth of tennis balls, ball carts and tennis bags to the Mounts.
“This past week has been a whirlwind for the Antietam girls tennis team,” McClain said. “Today’s trip to the U.S. Open was the icing on the cake. We are extremely thankful to the Weiser tennis family for inviting us along today.
“The Mounts made some new friends this week with the Scouts and some memories that hopefully they will remember for a long time.”
The Scouts and Mounts meet in a non-league match Thursday at Exeter.
“Tuesday was a chance for Weiser tennis to share a day at the U.S. Open with Antietam tennis and give them the opportunity to join us for a forever moment that they will never forget,” said Conrad Weiser coach Ryan Knarr, also the Ellesse Pro Tennis Challenge event director. “It was an amazing experience for both programs where values were more important than victories, and making people better through the life lessons that tennis can offer, and to see a smile on their faces. That is what it is about.
“We will continue to help and support Bill and the Antietam tennis program in the coming weeks and months as they rebuild from the devastating flood and support their program in every way we can.”
