Mary Maloley's Tennis Legacy

Thanks to longtime tennis enthusiast, Mary Maloley, the sport continues to thrive in Lexington. The 82-year old passed away last May, but her influence in the community lives on. She helped start high school tennis in Lexington, and also created the annual Lexington Labor Day Tennis Tournament. However, the relationships she had with the players is what will be remembered most.

“Mary possessed a level of passion for the game of tennis that spilled over into the lives of everyone she came into contact with,” said Jake Saulsbury, who took lessons from her as a child. “She truly loved the game of tennis, but more importantly she loved how the game of tennis connected us all and how it brings people together.”

Saulsbury went on to become the head women’s tennis coach at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and is now the Recreation Coordinator for the city of Lexington. He refers to her as a tennis “pioneer” in the Lexington community. As a result, many residents developed a love for the game from her.

“Her legacy is lived through the lives of the kids that all learned tennis from her and the many adults she introduced to the sport that still play to this day,” he said. “For me, I started in her tennis clinics at the age of six-years old. I later played in the youth tennis league. She always greeted you with a smile and had the best encouragement and reactions to any time you hit a good shot.”

Tennis became a family affair for the Saulsbury’s. Jake’s brother, Troy, is a tennis coach in Kearney and also has fond memories of learning the game from her.