Ellie Bailey Awarded Gold Star

To honor their 100th anniversary in 2020, the USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving recipients with the Gold Star Award. This award recognizes contributions that recipients have made in growing the game of tennis in their community.

One of the most recent Gold Star Award recipients is Ellie Bailey from Racquet & Health 91 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bailey is a tennis coach and instructor out of Racquet & Health 91 as well as being involved with various USTA programming such as Net Generation programming, Junior Team Tennis, USTA Leagues, and junior tournaments.

“She is a pro but so much more, said Becky Riggs, USTA Missouri Valley Schools Tennis Organizer in Oklahoma. “She wholeheartedly agreed with the red, orange, green ball philosophy back when many parents and coaches wanted to skip the red ball. So many of her players today are now playing in Level 3 and 4 USTA Missouri Valley tournaments. This lady is awesome!”

Bailey first became involved with tennis at just nine years old, and she would then go out to play in competitive junior tournaments and earn the opportunity to play college tennis for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

Following her college days, Bailey has continued to grow the game of tennis.

At Racquet & Health 91, Bailey and the rest of the team is able to offer tennis programming for all ages and levels, from red ball youth programs up to college-aged level events.