Captain Michelle Gifford leads two teams to USTA League National Championships

The weather might be cooling off in our district, but the USTA League competition is heating up as several teams from USTA Heart of America gear up for League National Championships! Of the teams heading to Nationals, two are captained by Michelle Gifford Her 40 & Over 4.5 team heads to Surprise, Ariz., October 25-27 to vie for the title, and her 55 & Over 4.5 team will take to the courts in Scottsdale, Ariz., November 1-3. 

While captaining two teams heading to National Championships is impressive in its own right, Michelle also plays in several other leagues, including on a 4.5 18 & Over team, on 40s and 55s mixed doubles teams, and even participates in Tri-Level Leagues. “I would definitely recommend playing in USTA Leagues to anyone interested in tennis,” Michelle said. “Our tennis community in Kansas City is thriving and always happy to have new players join in the fun.”

Michelle has always been an athlete. She even played Division I college volleyball for Temple University from 1987 to 1991. However, her introduction to tennis came a few years later, and it kickstarted a love for the sport that continues today. “I didn't pick up a tennis racquet for the first time until I was 38 and after my third child was born,” Michelle shared. “I’ve been playing and captaining teams ever since!”

An attorney who has since retired, Michelle enjoys spending her free time on the court with her friends and teammates as well as helping out behind the scenes at USTA Heart of America. In addition to league play, she also serves as secretary of the USTA Heart of America Board of Directors.