Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club recently held an OVAC kickoff for high school future players. The photo shows WLU coaches and players who ran drills, WOTC representatives and local high school athletes.
Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club is a nonprofit organization with a mission to grow tennis at all ages, and began in 2025 with multiple adults and youth activities.
The first event took place in January in cooperation with Wheeling Park’s 100 Years Celebration. Club members took part in the game night with on-court activities, including playing with wooden rackets, hitting prize targets, volley challenges, and innovative games called triples.
Peggy McClure responded to picking up a wooden racket again. “I started with wooden rackets in the 1960s. Compared to today’s rackets, wooden rackets look really heavy, troublesome, and much smaller. I don’t want to go back to those rackets!”
After the on-court activities, members enjoyed the Wheeling Park Commission and snacks offered by the WOTC. The evening included board games time.
In February, WOTC held a kickoff for OVAC High School. Future players from any OVAC school of all ability levels were invited to attend a two-hour free clinic. Players were grouped by skill level to make the experience valuable to everyone.
The drill was run by members of the West Liberty University men’s tennis team under the direction of WLU coaches Ronnie Huliewitz, George Frazier and Travis Crosser. Hulewicz commented: The kickoff of OVAC was successful with players of all levels together. It was great to see our team captivate and spark the interest of high school players. ”
Frazier, OVAC’s tennis director, emphasized the event is an incredible opportunity for high school players to tackle their skills in preparation for the upcoming season. He said, “We are grateful that the Wheeling Oglebay Tennis Club and the West Liberty University Tennis team are working together to provide a good clinic for local OVAC high school tennis players.”
The third event of kickoff in 2025 was youth match play. This was held for six weeks on Fridays from 4 to 6pm. Participants were scheduled to play singles and doubles matches.
To participate in this program, players had to be able to play points, maintain scores and compete. The program was coordinated by teaching professional Jeremy McClelland.
All previous events have been held at Wheeling Park’s indoor facilities. “We’ve had a great year! We’re lucky to have indoor facilities that can host events from October to April,” said Debbie Pickens, WOTC president.
WOTC has scheduled additional events in 2025. Saturday, April 12th, primary school play day for ages 4-12 will be held at Wheeling Park indoor facilities. Millie Mulhern’s Eustenis will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays in May and September at Wheeling Park Hill Topcourt. MMYT is for those in grades 4 to 11 of all ability levels.
Two nationally-level tournaments will be held at Oglebay’s Horn Family Tennis Centre, Wheeling Park Hill Top Court and Wheeling Park indoor facilities (if necessary). Jack Dorsey’s Senior Memorial will begin on June 18th and 22nd, with players aged 35-90 from across the country competing for the national rankings at this USTA Level 3 event.
The West Virginia Open will be held from July 31st to August 3rd. This tournament will award participants in the open event with a $5,000 prize money. A new title sponsor for the West Virginia Open will be announced soon.
In WV Open, players with the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) will also compete at the appropriate level of competence for district and section recognition.
In July, Oglebay’s summer camp is open to young people and adults. Youth camps are based on age (4-18) and based on all levels of competence. Adult camping is open to people over the age of 18 who want to learn tennis games.
In addition to these events, WOTC will be holding a member tournament with the Adult Round Robbins in August.
WOTC is in the process of rebuilding its website and coordinating new event registrations through the American Tennis Association. For now, please email whiningoglebaytennisclub@gmail.com for more information about the 2025 program/event.
