Clean Sweep for Mid-Atlantic’s Women 4.5

USTA Mid-Atlantic sent six teams to represent the Section at week three of the USTA League National Championship on October 14-16, and one team came home with the National Championship title.

Remember the name. The 4-Hands, BATKINS & vol-Lee’s women’s team from Howard-Columbia, Md. cashed in their winning ticket at USTA League Nationals for the second week in a row. The team of women secured the Adult 40 & Over 4.5 national title in Oklahoma, Ok. after defeating USTA New England 3-1 in the final. 

Captain Angel Batkins and co-captain Jessica Lee came to Oklahoma still celebrating their National Championship win with their Adult 18 & Over team who secured the title the week prior in Surprise, Az. 

“Assembling such a talented group of ladies together was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Batkins said. “Knowing the desire in each of them to go after this championship title was a bonus, spending time with such wonderful human beings was a pleasure, and being trusted to captain and guide them through the season was an absolute honor.”

All season long, this team practiced hard and left it all out on the court. Securing the national championship title two weeks in a row is a moment that will never be forgotten. 

“When I look at that National Championship banner and they look at those Championship plates we remember each and every detail of this past weekend, and we will forever be connected together by this amazing season,” Batkins said. 

Alongside captain Angel Batkins and co-captain Jessica Lee, the team included: Michele Brammer, Malika Rasheed, Wendy Carey, Alison Bailey, Crystal Cornell, Laura Smith, Debbie Boger, Dao Phan-Vissering, Inese Williamson, Marketa Chromkova, Angela Bennett, Erika Trost, Nita Elie, Dava Baumann, Caryn Vollmer, and Danielle Desfosses. 

One additional USTA Mid-Atlantic team played its way to the finals. The Men’s 18 & Over 4.0 team out of Washington, D.C., captained by Michael Turnley placed second in Surprise, Az. 

Congratulations to all Mid-Atlantic teams at USTA League Nationals, and great job on an incredible season. USTA Nationals continues on October 21-23 as Mid-Atlantic will send Adult 18 & Over 5.0, Adult 40 & Over 3.0, and Adult 55 & Over 8.0 teams to represent the Section. 

To follow Mid-Atlantic’s journey at Nationals make sure to visit our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for updates. Also, if you’re feeling inspired by these victories and want to get out on the tennis court, you can find a USTA League near you by viewing the local league calendar or by contacting us and we will help you find a team. Plus, fall leagues are still registering and it is not too late to join in on the FUN!

USTA Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.