When team captains and Isle of Palms locals Heather Witheford, Kristin Whalen and Brandy McMahon signed up to lead their tennis teams, they did not expect to be part of a thrilling, competitive tennis journey that will soon take them to the USTA (United States Tennis Association) Sectional Tournament this December.
Two women’s teams from Wild Dunes Tennis Club (18+ 6.5 combo and 40+ 6.5 combo) represented the Charleston region at the USTA State Championship Oct. 25-28 in Florence, South Carolina. Each team won their local championship after overcoming other tough opponents from area tennis clubs. Both teams advanced to their respective state tournaments and the 40-plus team won the South Carolina state championship.
The team triumphed after three days of competing against the best teams in the state, bringing Wild Dunes its first state title in more than 20 years. Most of the women on these two Wild Dunes teams live on Isle of Palms, with about 50% living within the Wild Dunes community.
Team captain Witheford spent hours creating lineups and testing strategies to give her team the best chance at winning.
“I am so proud of our team achieving this milestone,” said Witheford. “Our team has a depth of talent that allowed us to have an undefeated local season and become SC State Champions at the SC USTA Championship. We have a strong group of women representing Wild Dunes.”
“It was a combination of athleticism, strong coaching and friendship that got our team to the championship,” said McMahon.
Whalen, who also serves as the Wild Dunes Tennis Association president, remarked on how grateful she is for the strong tennis community on Isle of Palms.
The ladies combo team will now represent South Carolina in the USTA Southern Sectionals Dec. 6-9 in Mobile, Alabama.
By Colin McCandless
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