Player Profiles: Alison Morgan and Scott Falatek

December 7, 2018

Player Profile - Alison Morgan

Morgan is currently the 18th ranked player in the country. She and husband Adam Morgan are two-time APTA Husband-Wife National Champions.

Q: Hometown:
A: Kalamazoo, MI

Q: Occupation:
A: Tennis, paddle, and fitness instructor at Birchwood Club in Highland Park, IL.

Q: Spouse/Children:
A: Spouse Adam Morgan/Daughter Kaylee Morgan

Q: Did you play college tennis/other sports?
A: I played tennis at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI.

Q: How long have you played platform tennis/how were you introduced to the game?
A: I’ve played for six years. Adam took me on the paddle court first and Mike Carrico hired me at the Birchwood Club and taught me how to play and teach paddle.

Q: When you started, what were the biggest adjustments you had to make as a tennis player?
A: Not to try and end the point and to be more patient.

Q: How do you make practicing fun?
A: I like to set up games with a variety of people and play with different partners.

Q: Where is your favorite place to play?
A: Indian Trail Club in New Jersey.

Q: List one or more highlights of your platform tennis career OR the funniest or best thing that happened to you on a platform tennis court?
A: Winning Husband and Wife Nationals two years in a row, especially since in 2017 I was six and a half months pregnant. Also, winning the Hinsdale tournament two years in a row with Laura Berendt.

Q: What is your trick/mental fix to use when you feel pressure in a match?
A: I deep breathe and I count or hum a song.

Q: Who do you wish was watching you at your best match?
A: My dad.

Q; List any other favorite hobbies you have:
A: Volleyball, softball, working out, card making, and working on craft projects.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Hawaii.

Q: Do you have a favorite sports movie?
A: “Miracle.”

Q: Please finish this sentence "You'd be surprised to know that I…"
A: Played in Nationals seven and a half months pregnant.

Q: What is your pre-match warm up/routine?
A: I do a plyo warm up with dynamic stretches while listening to music.

Q: What is your favorite shot?
A: The roller overhead.

Q: What is your favorite part of playing doubles and the best part of competing?

A: Working with my partner to execute our strengths. The best part about competing is that it pushes me mentally and physically. I am a competitive person and I enjoy being active and being outside.

Player Profile - Scott Falatek

Falatek and partner Vlatko Najdek are ranked 18th in the country.

Q: Hometown:
A: Plymouth Meeting, PA

Q: Occupation:
A: Tennis and paddle professional at Philadelphia Cricket Club

Q: Spouse/Children:
A: Meredith/Avery, Ryan, Matthew

Q: Did you play college tennis/other sports?
A: I played tennis at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.

Q: Describe any international tennis you participated in:
A: I stood on a tennis court in Mexico once.

Q: How long have you played platform tennis/how were you introduced to the game?
A: Almost 20 years now, I’m old!  I played late in my college years for the first time.

Q: When you started, what were the biggest adjustments you had to make as a tennis player?
A: Not much, this game was built for me.

Q: How do you make practicing fun?
A: Trash talking and playing with awesome friends.

Q: Where is your favorite place to play?
A: Close to my house.

Q: List one or more highlights of your platform tennis career OR the funniest or best thing that happened to you on a platform tennis court?
A: Beating Dave Ohlmuller/Chris Gambino in Philly when most of the top players didn’t even know my name.

Q: What is your trick/mental fix to use when you feel pressure in a match?
A: I take a deep breath and try to stay in the moment.

Q: Who do you wish was watching you at your best match?
A: My mom.

Q: List any other favorite hobbies you have:
A: Sharing smiles with my kids.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: A recent trip to Turks and Caicos.

Q: Do you have a favorite sports movie?
A: I love them all.

Q: Please finish this sentence "You'd be surprised to know that I…"
A: Am a huge soccer fan.

Q: What is your pre-match warm up/routine?
A: I don’t really have a routine, sometimes I need some warm up and movement, but I really try to relax.

Q: What is your favorite shot?
A: Volley.

Q: What is your favorite part of playing doubles and the best part of competing?

A: I love playing great players and testing my skills against the greats.