Tournament Recap: 2024 USTA National Women’s Intersectional Team Championships
Leslie Airola-Murveit
DATES: November 11-17, 2024
LOCATION: Plantation, FL
DIVISIONS: Level 2, 35-85
Intersectionals is still going strong after 37 years! This unique event not only builds camaraderie among teammates but also among other age groups, especially with players in one’s own section. We root and cheer and we feel supported and loved! We are fortunate to be chosen to represent our section and compete for a medal. Last month 359 women from 12 USTA sections gathered at the Veltri Tennis Center in Ft. Lauderdale to battle it out (teams from Northern, Caribbean, Intermountain, Missouri Valley, and Hawaii were missing). In the end, Southern took home 3 golds (35,45,65) while Mid-Atlantic (55), Florida (75), Pacific Northwest (80), and Southern Cal (85) each won one gold medal. The 55’s division had the largest number of participants with 75 players.
Two first-timers shared their experiences with me. Kathy Heinze from Oakland, CA was on the NorCal 65’s team and described the highlights: “I loved playing on a high caliber team, including watching and rooting for all the NorCal teams. I enjoyed contributing to my team by warming up teammates, and helping out whenever needed. I met many players from my section.” Kathy played doubles with Andrea Barnes against Southern in the semifinals.
Joanne Price played for SoCal’s 55 team, having moved from Wales, UK to Pasadena, CA last year. She quickly became part of the SoCal tennis community and was thrilled to be invited to Intersectionals where she played both singles and doubles. “Watching top players in all age groups who played on college teams and on the pro tour was super inspiring. I love playing for a team, giving and getting teammate support, and making new friends.”
Highlights from the Thursday night banquet included awarding Fran Chandler with the Margaret Russo Sportsmanship Award, and Elizabeth Barnhill with the Belmar Gunderson Leadership Award. Congratulations to Fran and Elizabeth! Thanks to Julie Thu for creating a lively slideshow with Intersectional photos over the years. It was wonderful to see players of all ages and from all sections socializing and tearing up the dance floor!
Matt Gleason and his staff did a fabulous job running the tournament and Dan DeBruyne, the onsite expert and his maintenance staff, were always there to troubleshoot. Thanks to Joan Oelschlager and Lou Armstrong for coordinating volunteers at the NWTO table, and adding new members to the roles.
Sections are sending stronger players every year and it’s inspiring to see such top-level play in every age group. Medals were awarded as follows:
See everyone in Phoenix on the hard courts November 10-16, 2025!
QUICK RESULTS→
🏆 W35
Gold: Southern Silver: Texas, Bronze: New England, over Florida
🏆 W45
Gold: Southern, Silver: Texas, Bronze: Florida over Pac NW
🏆 W55
Gold: MidAtlantic, Silver: Texas, Bronze: SoCal over NorCal
🏆 W65
Gold: Southern, Silver: SoCal, Bronze: NorCal over Eastern
🏆 W75
Gold: Florida, Silver: Southern, Bronze: SoCal over MidAtlantic
🏆 W80
Gold: PNW, Silver: SoCal, Bronze: New England over Florida
🏆 W85
Gold: SoCal, Silver: Texas, Bronze: Florida over Southern
Photo Gallery
