Dr. Robbie Ralston Dimond

Continuing our 50th Anniversary theme of celebrating our past, we take a look back at the history of Age-Level Senior Tennis in the Middle States.

Senior Ladies Interdistricts was started in 1980 by Betty Weiss and Robbie Dimond for women over 40 in order to do a better job of Middle States' USTA rankings, make a more fair selection for Intersectional and National teams, and to promote play across the six districts at the senior level. The event, consisting of singles and doubles, is held as a team format with each match scoring a point. The goal was to have the very best  players from each district compete head-to-head to find the top ranking players! This is the reason for the 'order of strength' rule. One caveat was that the play should be (whenever possible) on soft courts so that the aging bodies of players could be spared injury and players could be still competing in their 'Super Senior' years. 

Others instrumental in Interdistricts' history: Connie Van Housen (former MSTA Executive Director), Connie Ebert (Philadelphia), Berry Campagna (Pittsburgh), Nancy Hungerford (Lancaster), Sally Evans (Eastern), and Faith Jolley & Nancy Keiper (Delaware). Thompson Toyota of Doylestown, PA was our initial sponsor. Mr. Gallup of New Jersey sponsored an award in memory of Robbie Ross Gallup for some years. Louisa Sweeney, Nancy Hungerford, Sally Evans, Yvonne Curry and Betsy Walker have  been key organizers in 70's- 75's-80's competition.  

Through these 36 years, I recall: 

• Excellent matches with ladies from the Pittsburgh area: Barb Milliken, Alexis Schunck and Kumiko Lancet

• Top rated players from the Lancaster/York area Central: Judy Levering, Charlotte Miller, Araby Nicholsen, Racheal Spease

• Energetic organizers: Betsey Walker, Ellie Maroney, Betsey Cheesman, Carol Vukelich, and Jane Stoutland of  Delaware

• Resilient competitors from Eastern, led by Pat Keleman and Ann Brown

• Spirited enthusiasts from New Jersey: Jane Huff, Ingrid Rehwinkle, Edith Crum and Irma deMarzo

• Stalwart champs: Pat Hammer, Betty Weiss, Bunny Russell, Leslie Pixley, and Janet Cook of Philadelphia.

Special Kudos go to all the current district captains for gathering players for this important tournament. Appreciation goes to Middle States and to each district for continued $$ support of this event which features the top players, now in age groups 35-45-55-65-70-75 & 80, competing in a friendly atmosphere of good sportsmanship and team camaraderie. Everyone who participates should be honored as they are 'chosen' to enjoy the top-draw tennis matches, win or lose. Remember that we are so lucky to be alive and still playing our beloved game!