Miami

2 ball volunteers power the action at Miami Open


MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Two student-athletes from Somerset Academy are getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ninth-grader Matthew Vedder and eighth-grader Lucas Maria made the cut as ball volunteers for the annual Miami Open.

“We go through about 1,000 applications, put people through hours and hours of training where we firmly narrow it down to our final 425 ball persons,” director of ball volunteers Marc Adler told Local 10’s Michaila Hightower.

For the next two weeks, Vedder and Maria will be on the court during games, tracking every ball from the sidelines.

“Being on the court is the best seat in the house,” Maria said.

Adler didn’t hesitate when saying, “They have one of the most important roles at tennis tournaments.”

It will certainly be an exciting moment for Vedder and Maria, who will have friends, family and classmates coming to watch them.

They will make sure to soak in every second.

“Hopefully one day I can be able to play in the Miami Open and ball kids could be in the same position just like me,” Maria said.

To learn more about how to volunteer as a ball boy or ball girl, click here for details.

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