Tegler, Hazelrigg Keep Nebraska Tennis Moving

March is Women’s History Month and USTA Nebraska is featuring two women’s tennis captains who have made an impact on tennis in Nebraska.

Tammy Tegler - Waverly

Captaining a tennis team isn’t easy. A good captain should possess many skills including being well-organized, analytical, flexible and competitive. Tammy Tegler has been captaining teams in Lincoln for many years and in 2020 alone, led eight. 

“I think I enjoy captaining because so many of the tasks a captain performs utilize my strengths,” she said. She gives advice to others considering it, “It's a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work. Make sure you're willing to put in the time to communicate, etc, but if you can do that, I think it's worth it, and a great way to take your involvement to another level.”

Tegler has been playing USTA tennis since 2009, and also coaches varsity tennis for the boys and girls Waverly High School teams. She also works at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln. You could say, tennis is a way of life for her. 

“There are so many things I love about tennis,” she explained. “I love the competitiveness, it's a fun way to work out, and I love the friends I've made through the sport.”

Tegler’s tennis goals for the future? In the short term she hopes to make it to Nationals. In the long term she hopes to be playing well into the future. 

“I love when I see older players out on the court, still out there having fun,” she added. “That's a big goal of mine, too: keep playing for a long time to come.”

Denise Hazelrigg - Omaha

Denise Hazelrigg started playing tennis when she was young and played in high school, but like many took a break from it while she worked and raised her children. Getting back to it in her 30s, she hasn’t looked back. 

“It was a great way to get back into the game and meet people,” she said. “I’m still friends and play with several people that were on that first team I joined.”

Hazelrigg said the best part about tennis is the people she meets and friends she’s made. She’s even been able to play on USTA teams with both her kids. As far as captaining, it all boils down to finding the right players for her team.