Tennis Buddies

2026 SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEBRASKA STATE GAMES
INFORMATION FOR OMAHA TENNIS BUDDIES 
Updated 7-20-26

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Special Olympics Nebraska State Games 

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Location: Woods Tennis Center

401 S 33rd St.

Lincoln, NE  68510

402-441-7095​​

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Coaches' Phone Numbers:

Nancy: 402-981-2730
Tammy 402-670-7277

Terri 402-306-1730​​​

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Family/Caregivers- Volunteers needed.

 

Events, Participants and Tennis Ball Adaptations

 

Green Division (outside)

*This division will run as it has every year.   There will be a pool of partners that the athletes will play with. Balls: For unified doubles they will play with orange balls utilizing unlimited bounces.  Each athlete will get 2 serves.  If they default then the volunteer will serve to get the point started. Here are the players included in this group:

Chloe M

Regan S

Bo (Fremont)

Alan

Arin

Rhidi

Ashley H (Fremont)

Katie N

Corina 

 

Singles Green Division (outside)

*This division will be an instructional, fun introduction to singles play.  There will be no medals awarded, but I will have some fun "tennis" prizes for them to chose from after the play time.  These will be abbreviated matches just for some extra experience.  I am planning on all of the Green Division to participate.  Balls: Red balls utilizing unlimited bounces.  They will be serving on their own unless a volunteer needs to step in to assist.  IF you do not want to participate, and I hope you do, please let me know so that I can create the bracket.

 

 

Unified Doubles (inside)

*I am coming up short on volunteers so we are going to do things a bit different this year.  I will have a pool of partners available to play as each match comes up.  The volunteers that are available will go with the athletes to play.  Balls: These athletes will be playing using the green balls (less compression than the regulation yellow balI).  This makes the ball a little slower and allows the athlete more time to get into position to hit the ball with good technique.  This group will be allowed 2 bounces instead of 1, although we encourage them to use 1 bounce if possible.  Remind them not to give up after the 1 bounce.  Keep going to the ball.  I love that our athletes are easy going and adjust to playing with any of our fantastic volunteers.  Please spend a little time explaining this to them so they are ready to go to the court with possibly a new partner each match.  Here are the players included in this group:

Sam A

Ethan C

Joey D

Wyatt G 

Melissa G

Nina M

Olivia N

Ben O

Zach R

Kayla R

Patrick S

Ben W

Nick W

Hannah O

Abby S

Joseph T

Rachel M

Ross (Fremont)    

Saunders (Fremont)

 

Doubles (inside)

*These are the assigned partners for the games. Balls:  I will indicate the color of ball and number of bounces allowed after each name.  I am tailoring the matches to each individual so that they have the greatest chance for success.  Balls: G2=green ball 2 bounces, G1=green ball 1 bounce, Y1=yellow ball 1 bounce.  These are the players and their partners:

Eachaute/Hancock Y1

Giersch/Kamtz G1

Bartusek/Munzesheimer G1

Fech/Moser G1

Geary/Reynolds G2

Nietzel/O;Malley G2

Simmons/Watson G2

Smith/Maxwell G1

Cooney/Norris G1

Davis/ Bishop G1 (Fremont)

 

Singles (inside)

*These are the players that requested singles matches.  Balls:  I will indicate the color of ball and number of bounces allowed after each name.  I am tailoring the matches to each individual so that they have the greatest chance for success.  Balls: G2=green ball 2 bounces, G1=green ball 1 bounce,  Y1=yellow ball 1 bounce. 

Tran G2

Watson G2

Wimmer G2

Alvine G2

Costello G2

Smith G2

Cooney G1

Norris G1

Bartusek G1

Bishop Y1 (Fremont)

Eachaute Y1 (Fremont)

Hancock Y1 (Fremont)

Munzesheimer Y1

Fech G1

Davis G1 (Fremont)

Moser G1

Nietzel G2

Ross G2

Saunders G2

Kamtz G1

 

If you see an error or omission, please let me know ASAP!  If you have any questions then let me know that too.

 

The time for withdrawal from the event is over.  If you have an extreme emergency we can talk, but at this point events are being generated and it causes a tremendous amount of work for the brackets to be recalibrated, reviewed and printed.  Please make an all out effort to honor your commitment to the fantastic event and the culmination of all our hard work.

 

Thanks and stay cool!
Nancy

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AWARDS AUDIENCE

If it is at all possible, when you hear that awards are being done, please move to that outside area and give the athletes the recognition they have worked so hard for.  

 

WHAT TO BRING FOR INSIDE ATHLETES: those playing singles, doubles, unified doubles

Patience and sportsmanship

tennis bag with racquet

tennis shoes (NO fashion shoes!!!)

2 pairs of socks (If you feet get too sweaty)

towel or chill towel

refillable water bottle

lunch (if you did not order one ahead of time)

Gatorade or Powerade if you like

energy snacks-bananas, oranges, raisins, trail mix...

Volunteer/partner Thank you note and treat bag

 

WHAT TO BRING FOR OUTSIDE GREEN DIVISION ATHLETES

Patience and Sportsmanship

tennis bag with racquet

tennis shoes (NO fashion shoes)

towel or chill towel

refillable water bottle

lunch (if you did not order one ahead of time)

Gatorade or Powerade if you like

energy snacks-bananas, oranges, raisins, trail mix...

hat

sunscreen

umbrella (for sun)

lawn chairs

***Don't forget to plan for yourselves and other fans.  Water and shade are always the most important!  And snacks!  

Pack a picnic lunch or grab your box lunch and we will all eat together after the Green Division awards!

Volunteer/partner Thank you note and treat bag

 

TREAT BAGS

You can hand out your treat bags when you get together with your partner/volunteer.  If you have an extra bag or a bag for a volunteer that is working the tables, ask and someone will help you find that person.  Remember this is the last time we will be able to show our appreciation to our partners/volunteers!

 

LUNCHES

If you did not order a lunch for your athlete from me then I would suggest that you pack something for them to eat and snack on.  There is no food available at the venue.

 

Inside players- Your lunches will be inside in coolers.  Pick them up when you have a break.  Tin and Christine Tran will have the clipboard and will check you off when you pick it up.  Ethan C and Grace G be sure to ask for your gluten free lunch.

 

Inside Volunteers- Your lunches will be inside in coolers.  Pick them up when you have a break.  Coleen and John Underwood will have the clipboard and will check you off when you pick it up.  

 

Outside players and volunteers- Your lunches will be outside in coolers.  Pick them up after awards.  Sara Cline will have the clipboard and will check you off when you pick it up.  We will gather together after awards and enjoy our lunches together.  Parents and fans should bring a lunch to eat too!  Remember to bring lawn chairs so that we can sit together.

There are restrooms and drinking fountains in the facility which is air-conditioned if you get too hot.  It should be a beautiful day!

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We are so excited to see our athletes showcase their skills.  Good luck everyone! ​​​​

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Divisions:

Green Division:  This is played on a smaller court with a low compression ball.  An athlete will be paired with a volunteer player for each match.  They are allowed more than one bounce as these are athletes that are just learning or need more time to keep the ball in play.  They may play just this event.

 

Unified Doubles: This event is played on a full court with an athlete paired with a volunteer vs an athlete and a volunteer.  They are allowed one bounce and play regulation tennis rules. They may play just this event.

 

Doubles:  This event is two athletes vs two athletes.  They will play regulation tennis.  May also play singles if desired.

 

Singles: This event is athlete vs athletes.  They will play regulation tennis.​

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