Tennis is a celebration for Gold Star winner Tami Murphy

Tennis has the power to bring people together. Just ask USTA Missouri Valley Gold Star winner Tami Murphy.

In honor of its 100th anniversary this year, USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving tennis providers, players, partners and more throughout the section. These Gold Star awards recognize contributions to support and grow the game in USTA Missouri Valley.

Murphy was selected for her work as a captain in USTA leagues.

“I saw a need for a captain at my level because there were ladies that I had played socially with but had never played USTA,” Murphy said. “I enjoyed celebrating little victories with my team and the feeling of unity.”

And those victories really do feel good.

“My proudest captain moment was our last match night of the season,” Murphy said. “We all played well. My own partner and I fought hard to get to a tiebreaker against a team that was significantly higher level than us.”

Murphy said she was shocked when she found out about her Gold Star, but the honor comes as no surprise to those who know her.

“Tami has been a key player in the 3.0 mixed flex leagues,” Alyssa Stelmach, USTA Missouri Valley Manager of Adult Leagues, said. “She has recruited a lot of new and lapsed players to come back and play in USTA leagues this year. She has formed a big group and organizes play that has been extremely beneficial to USTA Missouri. She is also a great opponent, fun to play against and a great sport all around.”

Murphy has played tennis for years, including in high school and college. As an adult, the game has been a big part of her health and fitness journey.

“(After college) I put down my racket to have a family,” she said. “I gained a lot of weight. In 2017, I began a weight loss journey and picked back up my racket when I got down to 300 in 2018. I’m currently at 215.”

It’s not just about health, though. It’s also about meeting people and sharing the game. That’s part of Murphy’s tennis story, too.

“I organize a social group that meets weekly,” she said. “It has over 30 people in it and it is so fun. I also lead a mixed doubles ladder.”