Gallery • 6 Photos

Isabella Marsh

In preparation for his match, Ozan Baris discusses the next exercise to warm up with junior Calado Fazal.

The Tiburon Challenger takes place on three of the upper-level courts at the TPC. Each of the three courts reserved for matches is ideally stocked with 10 volunteers made up of six ball people and four line judges. Executing a variety of tasks, enthusiastic students and parents have been trained during sessions in the weeks prior.

In charge of managing which volunteers go on each court are Redwood parents Mikelynn Leverte and Stacey Crawford. Together, Leverte and Crawford have 12 years of experience managing the organization of volunteers for this event. They credit the community of volunteers for making this event possible.

Leverte, having consistently worked as a volunteer of the Tiburon Challenger, recognizes the value of possessing a strong leadership strategy in order to ensure the event runs smoothly.

“It’s really important that we look professional because these [players] are professional, so I take my job very seriously,” Leverte said. “There’s a lot we need to assess, and oftentimes we need to think on our feet. You never know when a match is going to end, and sometimes there aren’t enough people available to fill a court; that’s when I step on.”

There’s a large team of TPC staff and volunteers that work during the months preceding the event, handling everything from housing the players to providing snacks. Jane Colwell and Collin Braun are Co-Directors of the tournament, grateful to be working with the volunteers who make up around 75 percent of the staff.

“[We] rely on our employees. It’s a great chance for younger kids to gain some experience working an event like this and getting to see the operations that put the whole thing together. Not to mention, they get to meet the players, which is really fun,” Braun said.

Freshman and varsity tennis player Isabel Gutierrez is working as a ball person for the Tiburon Challenger for her second year, finding the role helpful for her own game.

“It’s exciting we get to have a tournament at our local club,” Gutierrez said. “I love getting to see live tennis and being able to observe how they serve and hit the ball. I learn a lot from the players.”

Calado Fazal, a junior on the varsity tennis team, has attended the event as a spectator for several years. This year, he helped warm up Ozan Baris, one of the competing players in the tournament.

“I’ve hit with Baris before, but I’ve never warmed him up before a match. That was a little stressful,” Fazal said. “Overall, it was fun and super satisfying.”

Crawford feels there are many wonderful aspects to working for this tournament. However, there is one reason that truly stands out to her that keeps her coming back each year.

“It’s great getting to see the next generation step up and give back to the community,” Crawford said. “Along with our same core team, we get to work with so many kids and it’s a great time.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at TPC’s annual challenger, visit https://www.tiburonpc.org/tiburonchallenger.