- 2021 Year in Review

    2021 was another successful year at Smith Stearns! Our students dazzled on the pro circuit, in college, and in juniors!   Smith Stearns Tennis Academy students and alumni brought their A-game, despite the lingering pandemic! They pushed themselves to super high levels - both on and off court. Smith Stearns academy students aced their matches at USTA super national tournaments, taking home: 2 Gold Balls, 4 Silver Balls, and 1 Bronze Ball! This success also included additional great … read more

- Senior Spotlight – Akari Matsuno

Senior Spotlight – Akari Matsuno Name: Akari Matsuno Age:18 Birthday: December 11, 2003 Hometown: Hoffman Estates High School: William Fremd High School, Hilton Head Preparatory College Commitment: Notre Dame College Mascot: Fighting Irish Collegiate Conference: ACC Focus, drive, and commitment: these three attributes aptly describe one of the most successful women athletes to come through Smith Stearns Tennis Academy. In fact, confident and lovely like Belle, her favorite Disney character, graduating senior Akari Matsuno is a charming force to be … read more

- Senior Spotlight – Sanjana Tallamraju

Senior Spotlight – Sanjana Tallamraju Name: Sanjana Tallamraju (Sanj) Age: 17 Birthday: December 10 Hometown: Munster, Indiana High School: Hilton Head Preparatory College Commitment: University of Toledo College Mascot: Rockets Collegiate Conference: MAC Conference Tall, athletic, and statuesque, Sanjana Tallamraju, is a formidable opponent on any tennis court. As the top ranked recruit ever to be named to the University of Toledo women’s tennis squad, Sanjana has much to be proud of from her junior career. Whether playing singles or … read more

- New Stan Smith Exhibit

New Stan Smith Exhibit Debuts at The Shops at Sea Pines Center on Hilton Head Island, SC WHAT: New Exhibit: Stan Smith – Tennis Legend and Hilton Head Local WHERE: The Shops at Sea Pines Center in The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC. The new exhibit is also adjacent to the Smith Stearns Performance Center where student athletes workout to improve their fitness, strength and flexibility. DETAILS: Smith Stearns Tennis Academy pays tribute to Stan Smith’s illustrious … read more

- Senior Spotlight – Madison Cordisco

Senior Spotlight – Madison Cordisco Student: Madison Cordisco Birthday: December 31 Age: 17 Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA High School: Hilton Head Prep College Commitment: Elon University College Mascot: Phoenix Collegiate Conference: CAA   Senior Madison Cordisco joined Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in 2019.  According to houseparent Eileen Gilchrist, “Madison has blossomed from a shy teenager into a beautiful, outgoing young lady, filled with kindness and love.” Madison enrolled at the Academy hoping it would be one of the best decisions she’d ever … read more

- First-Ever Spirit Week 2021

First-Ever Spirit Week 2021 If you would have been visiting Smith Stearns Tennis Academy the week of November 8 through 12, you would have said, “What in the world is happening at Smith Stearns?” You would have seen pink tutus and 80s leotards, plaid lumberjack shirts and undergarments worn on the outside. There were also boys wearing girls’ tennis skirts and even a giant pink flamingo and life-size tennis bunny! You would have seen so many wild and crazy outfits, … read more

- Interview with Coach Eric Turner

Interview with Director of Tennis Instruction, Eric Turner We caught up recently with Coach Eric Turner, Director of Instruction at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, about how it’s going at the Academy and about being a new father. Coach Eric, known by staff and campers as, “ET,” recently in August had his first son, Caleb. When interviewed about being a new dad, Eric replied, “It’s been a great experience so far. Coming home to Caleb after a long day of work, … read more

- Halloween Wknd, Oct 31-Nov 1, 2021 Tournament – Open Level 5

Halloween Weekend Tournament! Join us for a Spook-tacular Time!  Come celebrate Halloween with us! We will also have a Halloween costume contest and a pumpkin decorating contest! Prizes for both! Smith Stearns Junior Championship OPEN Level 5 Tournament October 30-November 1, 2021 Hosted by Smith Stearns Tennis Academy Location: The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Deadline for registration is October 24, 2021 at 5:59 pm, EDT. Register here at the USTA. Tournament Format This is an OPEN … read more

- Smith Stearns announces the College Commitments for their Class of 2020

Smith Stearns would like to announce the college commitments of seventeen of our students who have shown resiliency and commitment during their senior year. This group of amazing student-athletes is one of the largest graduating classes we have had at the academy. They have worked hard both on and off the court to achieve both their athletic and academic goals, setting themselves up for the next chapter in their lives. They are off to further their education at some of … read more

- 2018, A Year of Growth and Success

The Year in Review 2018 was a year of growth and success for our students. Watching them develop their games and translate that growth into on-court tournament accomplishments was a true highlight of the year. 2018 saw them take home two Gold Balls, 3 Silver Balls, and 2 Bronze Balls at the USTA Super Nationals. This success was only furthered by their great performances at the sectional, international, collegiate, and professional level. All said, in 2018 Smith Stearns students brought … read more