|
|
Courtettes Team Picture
© Courtesy of team captain Lisa Gillette-Glick
|
|
|
So Cal Girls Weekend in La Quinta
© Courtesy of team captain Lisa Gillette-Glick
|
|
|
Having some fun during their team picture
© Andrew Ong/USTA
|
By Tom LaDue, USTA.com
The Braemar Courtettes started out at the 2.5 level with a team of twelve in 2006. Two years later their tennis skills have improved to the point that they moved up to 3.0 and took home a section championship.
All that needs to be completed now is hoisting the championship banner at the USTA League presented by Chrysler 3.0 Adult National Championships in Tucson, Arizona.
What makes the Courtettes special is that they range in age over five decades. There are players in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and even sixties! Within this five decade span you can find a very diverse group of professionals and career women; from an interior designer, party planner, nurse, artist, actress, florist, surgeon, lawyer and a kindergarten teacher.
Aside from their love of tennis everyone is all friends off the courts and enjoy spending their free time together doing “girl things.” This time off the court has led to several team “field trips” including: a weekend at Indian Wells to see the Pacific Life Open; a “Girls Night Out” where everyone dressed up, had dinner and went off to see the movie Sex in the City; a team barbecue and a holiday pajama party.
“It’s just a fun bunch of girls to be associated with,” said Mary Ann Hermansen.
Besides all of the fun they have off the courts the team is serious when they step on the court.
“Even when we are not playing a particular match, some of us will travel over 20 miles to cheer the rest of the team on, complete with pom poms,” laughed team captain Lisa Gillette-Glick.
They even have a couple of mascots that recently had to move up to the 3.5 Adult level but are still a big part of the “Courtette” family.
“They even traveled with us on all of our field trips and accompanied us to the Sectionals,” replied Gillette-Glick. “We told them they had to be here with us at Nationals since they have been our ‘good luck’ charm.”
No matter what happens on the courts in Tucson this weekend, this group of girls will always remember to “just have a little fun.”
Back to National Championship Homepage