By Carol Kissell/Team Captain
The Women's 3.0 team from Raleigh, NC, believes it is a fine example of USTA’s expression “Tennis is the Sport of a Lifetime.”
Many of us have played together for many years. In fact, three of us were on the 2000 Super Senior Championship team. We have four players in their eighties, with another member turning 80 in March; seven players are in their seventies, most of them above 75 and one in her late 60s. The average age for our team is 76.5.
We have all experienced the aches and pains that go along with the aging body. Our eyes may not be the best but none of these maladies have kept us away from the courts or from competing. We may look like the "walking wounded" with our braces and ice packs. But we have a great passion for the game of tennis and that’s what keeps us going. We’ve got the spirit and the drive.
Winning the NC State Championship has brought the team closer together. We enjoyed the team camaraderie. We’ve been socializing , having lunches, ice cream socials and even went to the movies to see “Battle of the Sexes." It was like a private showing because we were the only ones in the theater!
We’re so delighted to be eligible for the Sectionals in Hilton Head Island. Win or Lose, we will cherish the memories of this experience. We are excited ... and we just can’t hide it!