ATLANTA, Ga. __ For the second year in a row, the City of South Fulton hosted the HBCU National Tennis Championships and USTA Recruiting Showcase.
In partnership with the City's Department of Parks & Recreation and the South Fulton Tennis Center, the Championships featured competitive singles and doubles play of nearly 200 student-athletes.
"It was a great atmosphere, lots of good competition," said first year Tuskegee University student,
Dayna Jackson (Powder Springs, Ga.).
The McEachern High School alum competed alongside her sister,
Devynn Jackson (Powder Springs, Ga.), in doubles play.
"The staff and everyone involved have put everything together so nicely," said Devynn, a longtime Truist Atlanta Open volunteer with her sister and mother, Toni.
"They communicate amongst each, and with the players and coaches, so well," said Devynn, who attended Kennesaw's Harrison High and Clark Atlanta University before becoming a Golden Tiger.
"They are amazing young ladies," Patricia Jensen said, speaking on the Jackson sisters.
Jensen, the "Queen Mum of American Tennis" and a tireless advocate and promoter of all things tennis throughout Georgia, greeted and interacted with several Championships and recruiting showcase participants over two days.
"It's great to see some of the kids, that have been ballboys and ballgirls at the Atlanta Open, go on to attend one of these HBCUs," Jensen stated passionately.
"Then [they] come back home to compete in the HBCU National Tennis Champions, it's pretty awesome!"
Tuskegee alum, Herbert White, served as a member of the planning committee led by United States Tennis Association (USTA) Community Outreach staff members.
Providing pro bono stringing services while managing a pop-up pro shop, White was "proud" to see the crimson and old gold throughout the sprawling facility.
"It's my mission to contribute to the Tuskegee and HBCU communities by providing recruiting and consulting services, uniforms, and court equipment," said White, a project management professional and Tuskegee Tennis Team alum.
"As a stringing services sponsor of the Championships, this is one way we continue to be engaged and support the next generation."
White showed "Skegee Love" by welcoming members of the
South Metro Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni (SMATAC), and the tennis teams, on to the historical complex.
Keeping the community aware of Tuskegee, visiting SMATAC members, White and Head Men's & Women's Head Coach
Gregory Green used their presence at the Championships and recruiting showcase to "introduce the greatness of Mother Tuskegee to our future sons and daughters."
"The HBCU National Tennis Championships were great," said Green. "It allows the players to compete with one another, fellowship with one another and the program is a classic, classic program."
Agreeing with her Coach's assessment and sentiments, Dayna offered her thoughts on her HBCU National Tennis Championships experience.
"I can't wait to come back next year," she said.
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