Local African American ladies tennis team bid for state championship

By Ceagus Reed

JA Guest Writer

A historic, all-African American women’s tennis team representing Jackson made a powerful run at the USTA Tri-Level State Championship in Hattiesburg, showcasing both athletic excellence and deep community bonds.

The 16-woman squad, captained by Kay Beasley, advanced through the United States Tennis Association (USTA) recreational league system to compete in the state playoffs from September 11–13. The unique Tri-Level format combines players from three distinct skill tiers to form a single competitive team.

Dominant Start and A Hard-Fought Finale

The Jackson team dominated the opening days of the tournament, executing a clean sweep on Friday and Saturday by winning every match across all three skill levels.

The championship hunt came down to a thrilling Sunday finale, where the team narrowly missed the state title after a series of highly competitive matches:

• 2.5 Level: Suffered a straight-set loss.

• 3.0 Level: Fought to the limit, falling just short in a tight third-set tiebreaker.

• 3.5 Level: Finished strong with a commanding straight-set victory. The dynamic duo of Crystal Glenn and Emberly Holmes went undefeated throughout the playoffs and emerged as the team’s final champions. 

“We gave it a good run,” said Team Captain Kay Beasley. When asked if any other African American teams were represented at the state playoffs, Beasley noted, “No sir, but we represented well!”

The Championship Roster

The 16-player roster that represented Jackson at the state level included:

• Captain: Kay Beasley / Co Captain: Robin Clark 

• 2.5 Level Players: Sherry Bouldin, Charlotte Crisler, Deonica Davis, Darrilyn Mitchell, and Shannon Williams

• 3.0 Level Players: Temekia Jackson, Lanessa Jenkins, Robynne Shields, Jeana Swan, and Kari Thomas

• 3.5 Level Players: Tempestt Gilmore, Crystal Glenn, Emberly Holmes, and Theresa Kennedy

The state tournament served as a bonding experience, with the entire roster sharing a single house in Hattiesburg to prepare for the competition. “We played hard, laughed hearty, cooked, blessed the food, and ate,” Beasley shared. “We even did yoga together to prepare for play. We were like one big happy family in one house.”

Beyond Tennis: A Shared Sisterhood

Off the court, the team members double as hard working professionals and accomplished community servants in the metro Jackson area. This accomplished tri-level ladies’ tennis team represents a diverse and impressive range of professions, including educators, multimedia designers, mental health professionals – such as therapists, counselors, and social workers – real estate professionals, entrepreneurs in food service and real estate, life coaches, dancers, and dance instructors. Their impact, however, extends well beyond the tennis court. 

These women are actively engaged in grassroots community service and volunteer efforts focused on strengthening and improving the Jackson community. Their involvement includes participating in city clean-up initiatives, supporting youth outreach programs, and serving through local community organizations and tennis board affiliations. Together, they demonstrate that their commitment to excellence is not limited to competition. They are professionals, mentors, entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders – using their talents, careers, and collective influence to make a meaningful difference in the communities they call home.