ARKANSAS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
Regulations Governing Interscholastic Competition
2016
TENNIS
This brochure is provided for member schools participating in
interscholastic tennis by the
Arkansas Activities Association
3920 Richards Road
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
In any school year that a student engages in interscholastic competition, he/she shall be
required to have a physical examination prior to beginning practice.
ELIGIBILITY
A student must meet all eligibility requirements of the Arkansas Activities Association. Refer to
the current AAA Handbook and any other recently adopted proposals.
RULES
The USTA Rules, including the Point Penalty System and the Code, will be used in the state
tournament and recommended for the conferences (enforced by tournament director or his/her
designee).
COACHES
Each team or player must have a coach (full time faculty member) or a member of the
registered volunteer program present during play. Exception: An adult, authorized in writing by
the school administration, may accompany the team if there are fewer than six players.
ENTRIES
No player may participate in both singles and doubles. Each school is limited to two singles
and two doubles.
SUBSTITUES
If a player participates in the conference tournament he/she shall not be eligible as a substitute
in the state tournament.
SCHEDULE
The times assigned for matches are approximate. Each entry should be ready to play at any
time. If a player or team is called and does not show within 15 minutes, a default shall be
declared. Doubles competition shall begin after the first round of singles competition. Each
single or doubles team shall check-in with the tournament director 30 minutes prior to a
schedule time.
ASSISTANCE
During a match coaching may take place:
1. After the 1st set during the 120 second set break
2. Within the ten minutes between the second and third sets of split sets.
3. When play is suspended for weather.
The coach must be the high schools designated coach.
USTA POINT PENALTY SYSTEM
To promote and enforce good sportsmanship, the member schools of the Arkansas Activities
Association support the USTA the point penalty system. The system will be enforced by the
tournament director or his/her designee. It is important that any unsporting acts by a student
athlete be reported immediately to his/her coach. Conduct covered in the USTA Point Penalty
System are: visible or audible profanity/obscenity; abuse of racket, balls, or equipment; verbal
or physical abuse of a player or official; retaliatory calls; unsportsmanlike conduct; and failure
to follow the instructions of an official. Violations shall be penalized as follows: 1st offense –
point, 2nd offense – game, 3rd offense – default.
STATE TOUNAMENT SCHEDULING GUIDELINES FOR MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
MATCHES PER DAY (USTA)
Best of 3 Tiebreak Sets
2 Singles Matches
3 Doubles Matches
STATE TOURNAMENT SCORING
Best two out of three sets will determine the winner. No Ad scoring will be used. The twelvepoint tiebreaker will be used if the score should reach six games each. One point is awarded
for each match won in singles and doubles through the quarterfinal rounds and one point is
awarded for a bye if the first match is won. Two points are awarded for a semifinal win and
three points for a championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE
Teams are declared co-champions
DISTRICT/CONFERENCE RESULTS CERTIFICATION
Results must be reported by certifying the entries to the state tournament director immediately
following the conference tournament.
FOOTWEAR
It is the responsibility of the school to ensure proper footwear.
CONFERENCE AWARDS
Awards for conference meets shall be determined and provided by the conference.
STATE AWARDS
Medals are awarded to the individual winner and runner-up in each classification. Trophies are
awarded to the team winner and runner-up in each classification.
ALL STATE QUALIFICATION
Top four singles Boys and Girls in each class.
Top four doubles teams Boys and Girls in each class.
Any singles or doubles finalists in overall if they are not already named.
STATE QUALIFYING PROCEDURES
Each conference may certify the following number of singles players and doubles teams to the
state tournament.
7A and 6A - Six single players and six double teams.
5A - Four singles players and four doubles teams.
4A, 3A, and 2A (Includes 1A) - Two singles and two doubles if there are seven or more
conferences. If there are six conferences, two from each conference, singles and
doubles, plus four chosen at large by the seeding committee. If there are five
conferences, there shall be three qualifiers from each conference (single and
doubles). If there are four conferences there would be four qualifiers from each
conference. The seeding committee may extend at-large bids to third place district
finishers. The at-large bids shall not cause any event to exceed a 16-team draw.
LIMITATIONS
A player may not represent the school in both singles and doubles.
STATE TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Criteria to consider for seeding:
*Classification State Tournament Bracket (if applicable)
*Conference Champion
*Last Year Result
*Most Recent Head to Head
*USTA Rankings
Criteria to consider for placement:
*Classification State Tournament Bracket (if applicable)
*Seeding is 1 – 4 and 2 – 3 unless same school or same conference then it reverts to 2 – 4
and 3 – 1
*Winner and runner-up at opposite end of draw
*The top four in singles and doubles may be seeded using standings, previous tournament
success, etc., and the remaining places on the bracket may then be drawn by lot.
Entries from the same school or conference should be placed in opposite sides of the
bracket when possible.
TENNIS BALLS
Each entry shall furnish a new can of balls. The winner of the match should take the
unopened can of balls to the next match, etc. The AAA approved balls are any USTA
approved balls. If any entry does not furnish the approved new ball within the 15- minute
period, a default shall be declared.
Lightning Guidelines
The following procedures will be put in place for lightning disturbances or other weather related
issues:
Lightning Delay Procedures
1) Use the AAA Handbook/NFHS Rulebook as a guide to implement lightning delay procedures. 2) When thunder is heard or a cloud‐to‐ground lightning bolt is seen or an approved lightning/storm detector indicates that lightning is within eight (8) miles of the venue, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location. Suspend play and take shelter immediately. 3) Adhere to the 30 minute rule before resuming play, regardless of the point of interruption. 4) Communicate with host school administration, visitor administration, and head coaches of both teams as conditions change. 5) Attempt to finish contest, if at all possible, once lightning disturbances subside. 6) It is ultimately the responsibility of the game officials in communication with the host site administration as to whether to suspend the contest or extend the delay additionally. 2016 TOURNAMENT DATES
Conference Tournament
State Tournament
Overall Tournament
Deadline
Week 16
Week 17
October 8, 2016
October 7-18, 2016
October 26-27, 2016
2016 STATE TOURNAMENT SITES
See AAA website www.ahsaa.org
State Tournament Mechanics
A. The best two of three sets shall determine the winners in both singles and doubles.
B. No Ad scoring will be used. The twelve-point tiebreaker will be used if the score should reach
six games each. One point is awarded for each match won in singles and doubles through the
quarterfinal rounds and one point is awarded for a bye if the first match is won. Two points are
awarded for a semifinal win and three points for a championship. (Under these scoring
mechanics, there shall be a singles, doubles and team champion.)
C. The top four may be seeded in both singles and doubles with the rest of the bracket filled by
draw. No entries from the same school are placed in the same half of the bracket.
D. Each conference shall certify its entries directly to the AAA office at least one week prior to the
state tournament.
2016 Tennis Conferences
7A West
7A Central
Bentonville
Bentonville West
Fayetteville
Har-Ber
Heritage
Rogers
Springdale
Van Buren
Bryant
Cabot
Catholic / Mount St Mary
Conway
Fort Smith Northside
Fort Smith Southside
Little Rock Central
North Little Rock
6A West
6A East
Benton
El Dorado
Greenwood
Lake Hamilton
Russellville
Sheridan
Siloam Springs
Texarkana
Jacksonville (NOT DECLARED)
Jonesboro
Little Rock Hall
Marion
Mountain Home
Pine Bluff (NOT DECLARED)
Searcy
West Memphis
5A West
5A East
Alma
Clarksville
Farmington
Greenbrier
Harrison
Maumelle
Morrilton
Vilonia
Batesville
Blytheville
Forrest City
Greene County Tech
Nettleton
Paragould
Valley View
Wynne
5A South
5A Central
Camden Fairview
De Queen
Hope
Hot Springs
Lakeside, Hot Springs
Magnolia
Watson Chapel (NOT DECLARED)
White Hall
Beebe
Little Rock Christian
Little Rock Fair (NOT DECLARED)
Little Rock McClellan
Little Rock Parkview
Mills University Studies (NOT DECLARED)
Pulaski Academy
Sylvan Hills
(NOT DECLARED)
2016 Tennis Conferences
4A 2
4A 3
Cave City
Heber Springs
Lonoke
Riverview (NOT DECLARED)
Southside, Batesville
Stuttgart
Brookland
Harrisburg
Highland
Pocahontas
Trumann
Westside, Jonesboro
4A 4
4A 7
4A 8
Booneville
Dardanelle
Mena
Pottsville
Prairie Grove
Shiloh Christian
Subiaco (B)
Arkadelphia
Baptist Prep
Central Arkansas Christian
eStem (NOT DECLARED)
Fountain Lake
Malvern (NOT DECLARED)
Nashville
Pulaski Robinson
Crossett
Dumas
Hamburg
Monticello
Star City
Warren (NOT DECLARED)
3A 1
3A 2
Bergman
Clinton
Haas Hall, Fayetteville
Mountain View
Valley Springs
Cedar Ridge (NOT DECLARED)
Corning
Harding Academy
Newport
Piggott
Riverside (NOT DECLARED)
Walnut Ridge
3A 5
3A 8
Atkins
Episcopal Collegiate
Harmony Grove, Haskell
Jessieville
Lisa Academy
Paris
Perryville
Quest
Bismarck
Drew Central
Fordyce
Gurdon
Lakeside, Lake Village
McGehee
Prescott
Smackover
2016 Tennis Conferences
2A 1
2A 2
Conway Christian
Guy-Perkins (G) (NOT DECLARED)
LISA Academy (NOT DECLARED)
Maumelle Charter (NOT DECLARED)
Poyen (NOT DECLARED)
Shirley
West Side, Greers-Ferry
Western Grove
Brinkley (NOT DECLARED)
Cross County
Earle (NOT DECLARED)
East Poinsett County
Marked Tree
2A 3
2A 4
Crowley’s Ridge Academy
Ridgefield Christian
Acorn
Cotter (NOT DECLARED)
Haas Hall, Bentonville
Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy
Mulberry
Western Yell County (NOT DECLARED)
2A 7
Bearden (NOT DECLARED)
Emerson
Hampton
Hermitage (NOT DECLARED)
Murfreesboro
Parkers Chapel
2015 STATE CHAMPIONS
BOYS Team
GIRLS Team
Little Rock Catholic
7A
Bentonville
Jonesboro
6A
Jonesboro
Pulaski Academy
5A
Pulaski Academy
Shiloh Christian
4A
Brookland
Episcopal Collegiate
3A
Episcopal Collegiate
Riverside
2A
Union Christian
BOYS Singles
GIRLS Singles
Parker Searnes, LR Catholic
7A
Adriana Canigova, Bentonville
Igor Jacociunas, Siloam Springs
6A
Madie McKee, Jonesboro
Hunter Harrison, Pulaski Academy
5A
Tatum Rice, Lakeside, Hot Springs
Kyle Hudson, Pottsville
4A
Bailey Lovrien, Brookland
Harrison James, Episcopal Collegiate
3A
Shelby Worsham, Episcopal Collegiate
Grant Mason, Riverside
2A
Emma Warnock, Union Christian
BOYS Doubles
GIRLS Doubles
Henry Nolan / Steven Weeks, LR Catholic
7A
Bessie Sullivan / Taylor Cheung-Damonte, Bentonville
Davis McKee / Sam Edwards, Jonesboro
6A
Caroline Gibbens / Ashley Grey, LR Hall
Wesley Barnett / Jake Bridges, Pulaski Academy
5A
Abby Minton / Katie Swanson, Pulaski Academy
Smith Ney / Skyler Hudson, Shiloh Christian
4A
Hannah Lovrien / Ally Loflin, Brookland
Jack Nolan / Ethan Strauss, Episcopal
3A
Lilly Jackson / Madeline Tabor, Episcopal
Gavin Stone / Jon Milligan, Riverside
2A
Allison Rogers / Bailey Norwood, Parkers Chapel
OVERALL STATE TOURNAMENT
BOYS
Hunter Harrison, Pulaski Academy
BOYS
Wesley Barnett / Jake Bridges, Pulaski Academy
GIRLS
SINGLES
Tatum Rice, Lakeside, Hot Springs
GIRLS
DOUBLES
Abby Minton / Katie Swanson, Pulaski Academy
Arkansas Activities Association Tennis Committee
7A
Matt Fulton, Rogers
6A
Mark Dobson, Alma
5A
Shawny Green, Lakeside/Hot Springs
4A
Kristie Jenkins, Southside/Batesville
3A
Steve Cox, Bergman
2A
Diane Burr, Jessieville