Mid-Atlantic

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND  FOR MID-ATLANTIC LEAGUES

January 31, 2019


When you play adult leagues in the Mid-Atlantic, you quickly come to know you’ve found a special community filled with people of all types and backgrounds united through tennis. In this community, tennis is the way people have fun, get physically active, make lifelong friends, and enjoy some great competition too. Leagues in the Mid-Atlantic run strong thanks to countless individuals, organizations and facilities that work with us to ensure that people can find themselves in the game and build a love for tennis.

 

In 2018, we asked USTA Mid-Atlantic League players to nominate those going above and beyond for leagues - that special Local League Ambassador working hard to grow local tennis and generate more opportunities for people to play; that incredible league captain inspiring teams to have fun and improve their skills; and that special tennis facility making the experience of playing second to none.

 

While we’ve recognized outstanding league captains before, USTA Mid-Atlantic expanded the recognition to include Local League Ambassador and tennis facility nominations. No sooner did we ask players for their nominations, they began to come in. All were thoroughly reviewed and we are pleased to recognize the following with these special USTA Mid-Atlantic League Awards:

 

Adult League Captain of the Year - Anne Jones, Blacksburg, Va.

When you’re the captain of the team, you are the glue that keeps everyone together. You are the one that sets the lineups, strategizes matches and makes sure that your team is having a fun tennis experience while also continuing to work on their game. Anne Jones is the epitome of what it means to be an excellent captain. Anne has been playing tennis since she was 9, playing nearly every day growing up with her twin sister. In 2018, she captained 11 teams and didn’t even realize it; she says she just loves being around tennis that much. After taking some time off from the sport and retiring as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Virginia Tech, Anne came back to tennis as a coach with the Town of Blacksburg teaching a ladies beginner class. That class grew into a 3.0 USTA League team which she captained. From there her involvement as both a player, tennis community organizer and captain grew.

 

When asked what the best thing about being a captain is, Anne says,

 

“I’m a competition junkie. The more I can compete, or help someone else compete the happier I am. I love the strategy involved in matching our team against our opponents, trying to figure out who is going to play where, etc. I love all the different people I get to work with also.”

 

A nominator adds, “Anne Jones is the most passionate person about the sport of tennis I have ever met. She has grown tennis in the Blacksburg and Roanoke area tremendously. She has started the Blacksburg Community Tennis Association offering lessons...and forming USTA [League] teams from 3.0 and up! Our tennis community has thrived the last three years under her guidance, enthusiasm and efforts.”


Want to be on a team with a Captain like Anne? View the local league offerings calendar page to see what is playing in your area. You can also contact USTA Mid-Atlantic’s Tennis Connect where we can match you with a team that is looking to add players.

 

League Facility of the Year - ACAC Midlothian, Midlothian, Va.

The local tennis courts - where all the action happens. USTA Mid-Atlantic Adult Leagues work with numerous tennis facilities and courts all across the region to host regular season play as well as Regional and Sectional competition. Local tennis facilities are key to growing the game and bringing people together to play, socialize and have fun. ACAC Midlothian has gone above and beyond in supporting USTA Programs and shares in the mission to grow the sport of tennis. A nominator of ACAC Midlothian says,

 

“ACAC promotes USTA league tennis constantly. They have 91 USTA teams affiliated with ACAC so far this year. Many of the pros at ACAC captain teams to allow more players to participate in USTA Leagues. ACAC offers clinics for different levels geared toward USTA teams. ACAC pros do a good job of finding playing partners and USTA teams for new tennis members. The facility is very nice, very clean, has beautiful locker rooms, a cafe and a large parking area. USTA League tennis is very popular in Richmond and ACAC goes the extra mile to promote leagues.”

 

Local League Ambassador of the Year - Sandra Mason, Richmond, Va.

Local League Ambassadors (LLAs) play a special role for USTA Mid-Atlantic Adult Leagues. They work with the local tennis community to establish leagues, identify places to play, coordinate with captains for matches, and ensure everything runs smoothly for tennis during the regular season. Sandra has been a LLA since 2015 overseeing at least 10 leagues a year. Not only that, Sandra also is a captain and league player. Sandra was recognized for her innovation and keen focus on player satisfaction, which has lead to increased participation in Richmond, Va., for Adult 40 & Over Daytime, Adult 55 & Over Women and Adult 65 & Over Leagues.

 

Sandra says, “I love interacting with players and helping them find teams!” And she says it is important to stay in communication by visiting players at their home courts and developing personal relationships.

 

Find your Local League Ambassador and connect with them for tennis opportunities in your community.

 

We congratulate these three for being recognized as the 2018 USTA Mid-Atlantic League LLA, Captain and Facility of the Year.

 

More information about adult leagues in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia is available. Stay tuned for information about the spring season coming soon!

 

TOURNAMENTS NEAR YOU


PROGRAMS NEAR YOU


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