Community

Sisterhood in sneakers

Ladies in a Lake Jovita tennis group sharpen their skills and nurture some good-natured competition.

By KELLIE DIXON, Times Staff Writer
Published December 18, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Kellie Dixon | Times] Jean Larkin Weightman, a retired school board member, awaits a return from Donna Stewart. Both women are members of a 15-member ladies tennis club that gets together at 9 a.m. each Monday at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

DADE CITY

Their skill levels might vary but their passion for the game does not.

And every Monday morning, a group of ladies at Lake Jovita meet on the tennis courts to play for a couple of hours.

The group, which got an impromptu start with about four members three years ago, has grown to 15.

Along the way, a team captain was named and a coach acquired.

In early December, Michele Gilliam was named the new captain. Mitch Weissbein, director of tennis at Lake Jovita, remains the group's instructor.

Weissbein has been working with the group for more than two years. Twice a month, he'll meet with the ladies for an hour of instruction.

"In the beginning they were hit and giggle," Weissbein said. "And now they are striving to improve. Every time they play they are serious about their competition, and they've realized that the level of fun and the level of exercise is only getting better."

Janet Anderson was one of the original members and the longtime captain before handing off the duties this month to Gilliam.

Anderson has been playing tennis for about 10 years and said the group has improved from working with Weissbein.

"We are so thrilled with how our skill level has changed," Anderson said about the league's bringing Weissbein on board.

Some, like Booth Kral, who grew up in Dunedin, don't have a problem with being competitive.

A few times during a session in early December, Kral quickly returned a volley that jammed up her opponent.

Kral and her playing partner, Gilliam, won the match and shook hands.

Anderson and Donna Stewart, the duo's opposition, good-naturedly congratulated their competition on the win.

The tennis might be the first thing to attract newcomers, but the good sportsmanship and essential sisterhood on the court keep them there.

Gilliam was one such newcomer about seven months ago when she and her husband moved to Dade City from New Jersey.

She knew she wanted a place to play tennis. Now she's the league captain, following Anderson.

"Those are going to be hard sneakers to fill," Gilliam said.

Now the group is looking outside its community for some friendly competition.

Think your group is up for the challenge? E-mail mitcher55@hotmail.com and let Weissbein know.

Submit feedback, story ideas to kdixon@sptimes.com or call 352 544-9480.

[Last modified December 17, 2007, 20:17:54]