RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Saturday that it will host the 2024 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Men's and Women's Tennis Tournaments at the HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park in Harlingen. 
 
The announcement was made in conjunction with a free youth clinic at the HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park that saw 45 kids have fun with and learn from UTRGV coaches and student-athletes. 
 
"We are thrilled to not only host the WAC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships, but even more exciting is to bring this event to Harlingen and the lower Valley," UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "Our commitment to serve the entire region is further demonstrated when we can host major sporting events in the communities that support our mission. We are appreciative of our friends in Harlingen and at the HEB Tennis Center. Together, we will provide a tremendous student-athlete experience, a first-class championship experience, and bring great recognition to the Rio Grande Valley. We are grateful to all involved to make this a reality and we also extend our appreciation to those that will play a role in the tournament's success in spring 2024." 
 
This is the fourth time UTRGV has hosted a conference tennis tournament in Cameron County. UTRGV hosted the 2016 and 2019 WAC Tennis Tournaments at the Brownsville Tennis Center and legacy institution UTPA hosted the Great West Conference Women's Tennis Tournament at the HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park in 2012. 
 
The HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park, which is located at 1613 Morgan Blvd., re-opened in Dec. 2021 after undergoing significant renovations. All 14 courts are newly resurfaced while new construction, including a pro shop, office and new restrooms was recently completed. 
 
"We have one of the prime facilities in the Valley and it's an awesome opportunity for us to host events and bring UTRGV and the WAC Conference Tournament here in 2024. That's great for the City of Harlingen," HEB Tennis Center at Pendleton Park Director of Tennis Don VanRamhorst said. "People will get to see some really good tennis play out here. We'll have players from many countries down in the Valley. We're very excited about it and to have UTRGV represent Harlingen. It will get UTRGV tennis seen by all parts of the Valley." 
 
This will be at least the ninth time that UTRGV has been part of hosting a WAC Championship-level event, along with the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships at the City of Pharr Natatorium, the 2017 and 2022 WAC Volleyball Tournaments at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, the 2017 and 2021 WAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex, the 2016 and 2019 WAC Tennis Tournaments at the Brownsville Tennis Center and the 2014 WAC Cross Country Championships at Champion Lakes Golf Course. 
 
That means UTRGV will have hosted WAC Championships in five different cities across the Valley, including Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen and Pharr.  
 
"Our team is extremely excited to be hosting the 2024 WAC Tennis Championships in Harlingen. The HEB Tennis Center is the perfect facility to run a world-class event and share high level NCAA Division I tennis with the local community," UTRGV women's tennis head coach West Nott said. "The players are ecstatic to have the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd during the most important time of the year. Over the years, our program has been building momentum through community outreach projects to promote the game of tennis to youth in the Valley. The community support has been pivotal in helping us grow our program and increase awareness of the UTRGV brand. The opportunity to host the WAC Championships is another positive step in the right direction for our program."
 
"It is such an honor to be able to host the WAC Championships here in the Valley. We look forward to having the other WAC schools and administration down here so we can show everyone what a wonderful place the Valley is," UTRGV men's tennis head coach Nathan Robinson said. "Being able to host this tournament in Harlingen is a great chance for us to continue to compete across the Valley, from Edinburg to Brownsville and now Harlingen. It will be great to have our community come out and support our great student-athletes and the sport of tennis." 
 
The tennis clinic saw 45 kids from 4 to 18 years old and of all experience levels, from complete beginners to experienced competitors, enjoy a day of hard work and fun with UTRGV's men's and women's tennis players. Participants split into two groups, with six Vaqueros teaching the 4-to-11 year olds grips, swings and hand-eye coordination through fun games and drills. Other Vaqueros ran the older campers through some drills they use in practice and helped them with singles and doubles strategies, approaching shots and volleys, continental grip skills and playing smarter to limit unforced errors. 

Support UTRGV Tennis | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube