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 USTA NC 40 & Over State Championships marked the final Adult League State Championship of the season, and Charlotte Tennis Association teams finished strong. Women’s teams competed in Winston-Salem while men’s teams battled in Hickory against top competition from across the state, with 10 Charlotte teams representing the area. Four Charlotte teams captured State Championship […]

Charlotte Tennis Association had a strong showing at the 2026 USTA NC 18 & Over Adult League State Championship this past weekend in the Lake Norman area. Thirteen Charlotte teams competed against the best teams from across the state, battling both tough competition and the summer heat. Five Charlotte teams captured State Championship titles and […]

The Charlotte Tennis Association and Special Olympics Mecklenburg County have partnered to create a Unified Doubles Summer Series. In Unified Doubles, a player with an intellectual disability (a Special Olympics athlete) partners with a player without an intellectual disability (a Unified partner), to compete together against similarly paired opponents. The athlete and Unified partner work together […]

Eight Charlotte teams traveled to Greensboro last weekend to compete in the USTA 55 & Over State Championship, representing our league with outstanding effort and competitive play. Congratulations to Captain Don Nelson and his team from The Palisades for winning the Men’s 4.0 division. The team defeated Western North Carolina in the semifinals and Sandhills […]

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