County tennis ladder breaks record for matches played

The 2026 Ashtabula County Tennis Ladder was taken to new heights this summer.

The popular event ended Sunday with a new record 1,214 matches played.

“We really got lucky with the weather,” ACTL founder and Saint John tennis coach Todd Nassief said. “We only had one rainout. Sometimes we get a little lag in early July, but this year remained pretty consistent.”

That broke the 1,105 matches which were contested two summers ago.

Since the ladder started in 2012, 12,118 matches have been played.

The ACTL also led the way as the the most active members through the Global Tennis Network. The list included states such as New York, California and Pennsylvania and countries like Portugal.

“We had players who were willing to compete all summer,” Nassief said. “The nice part was each high school in the county was represented at some point. It was exciting to see players from different age groups compete.”

There were new events this season.

Nassief said the Battle of Bula went well.

“Thirty-two players will play in a one-point tournament, it’s patterned after what the Australian Open did this year,” he previously said.

Nassief said a seven-point tiebreaker, and doubles tournament also took place.

He said there were other different events Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesday to keep things fresh.

“The Racquet-in-Hand foundation helped with some grant money,” Nassief said. “The sponsors were wonderful.”

The ladder can help both high school and collegiate players.

University of Mount Union senior and Saint John graduate Jacob Timonere is a veteran of the league.

“The summer tennis ladder was a great experience, and really helped improve my game,” he said. “Throughout my competitive tennis journey, I’ve played almost 600 ladder matches, and this summer was another great opportunity to compete, have fun and continue growing as a player.”

Timonere, who finished second in singles with a 14-7 mark, said making memories and meeting other players along the way is important.

“Thank you to everyone who was involved in organizing the ladder and making it possible for us to compete all summer,” he said. “I truly appreciate the opportunity.”

Geneva graduates LJ Stark and Myles Colgan, who will be teammates of Timonere at Mount Union, were both consistent players in the ladder.

“It helped me by providing an easy way to get lots of match play in,” Stark, the 2026 Ashtabula County Boys Player of the Year said. “Typically, you have to drive far for a tournament and play a lot of money if you want to get match play, but the ladder is local, free and has great competition.”

Colgan said the ladder is a very positive community.

“I look forward to playing every summer,” he said. “The ladder is a great way to have fun, while also playing tennis over the summer. I love going whenever I can, and the people you meet and connections you make are incredible.”

Perry graduate Audrey Austin, who led in singles matches at 14-2, is entering her second year of school and tennis at Ohio Northern University.

“The tennis ladder has been a great way for me to consistently play tennis throughout the summer before tennis season starts out,” she said. “It’s always been a great time for me to work on different aspects of my game while also learning how to play against different people.”

The high school girls tennis season starts next week.

Lily Perry, a Saint John junior, likes the competition and camaraderie.

“The ladder has helped me improve my tennis skills,” she said. “I have been able to develop my shots and mental game against a variety of opponents. Those opponents have also become my good friends off the court, who I may have never otherwise met without the ladder.”

Hannah Dunn is entering her senior season at Geneva.

“I have been attending the summer ladder for a couple of years, and it is definitely one of the highlights of my summer,” she said. “This year, specifically, I feel like I had the most fun ever playing tennis, and was able to create so many new friendships that I wouldn’t have made otherwise.”

But the ladder isn’t just inclusive for high school and college players.

Kevin Lillie, a Harbor graduate who is veteran tennis player, enjoys the competition and exercise.

“I love playing with high school and college players and watching them get better,” he said. “Todd has done an amazing job with the Ashtabula County Tennis Ladder.”