Strong teams start with strong captains

This year we’re celebrating Mary Eshleman and Samantha Abbott for their leadership, heart, and commitment to their teams.

Sam’s now-iconic pickle moment was captured at the final for States 3.5 last spring — after encouraging her team to eat pickles between sets for electrolytes, they surprised her with a jar as a captain’s gift. Leadership comes in many forms… sometimes it’s salty.

And to top it off, Sam and her team went on to win the Charlotte playoff championship match last spring in 3.5 18+. A season to remember.

Mary, thank you for the energy, organization, and encouragement you bring to every match and every player.

We are so grateful for captains who build community, support their teams, and make Charlotte tennis stronger every season.

Mary Eshleman
Providence Plantation Racquet & Swim Club
Samantha Abbott
Queens Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park

More News

The 2026 Pro League season came to an exciting conclusion with high-quality finals and new champions crowned. The women’s division was led by captain Darri Thayaprasat and sponsored by Alexander Ricks PLLC, while the men’s division saw the Haywood team claim the championship. The Haywood team was sponsored by Paul Vadnais, MD. Congratulations to all […]

The Charlotte Tennis Association was thrilled to join USTA at the ALPFA Expo in Charlotte, forging connections, sharing opportunities, and highlighting how tennis can open doors both on and off the court. And of course, we had to have a little fun along the way with some Business Casual Red Ball Tennis! A special shoutout […]

Courts across the Charlotte region are buzzing as the 2026 USTA Southern Combo Doubles League season gets underway. This season, a record 393 teams will compete at 40 facilities throughout the Charlotte area—30 more teams than last year. The continued growth reflects the popularity of league tennis and the increasing demand for competitive play. As […]

Charlotte Metro continues to make its mark on the championship stage! This year, 10 Charlotte teams qualified for the USTA Southern Sectional Championships, and four captured sectional titles to advance to the USTA National Championships. Congratulations to our 18 & Over 3.0 Women’s, 18 & Over 4.5 Women’s, 18 & Over 5.0 Men’s, and 40 […]

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