WOMEN’S TENNIS TEAM WINS AGAIN BY MELISSA HUFF
FAMILY & MWR TENNIS CLUB
The Fort Bliss 3.5 Women’s 40 and over team, captained by Patricia Uribe, went 7-1 this season securing their number one spot for the Greater El Paso USTA tennis league. They were able to participate in the Southwest Sectionals being held in June at the Reffkin Tennis Center and Fort Lowell Park Tennis Center in Tucson, Arizona. The team consists of Captain Patricia Uribe and teammates Melissa Huff, Sandra Torres, Cheryl Ledford, Yzahiti Angulo, Emily Garrison, Guadalupe Castillo, Sarah Najera, Claudia Dominguez, Judith Martinez, Lisa Barnett and Yolanda Zuverza. While this accomplishment certainly stands alone, the Fort Bliss 3.5 Women’s team is much more than a group of great tennis players. They learn from each other and grow in both their tennis ability, perseverance, and resilience — each time they enter the courts. The team learns how to fight until the end and never give up — from their singles player, Sarahi Najera, who went 6-1 this season. Emily Garrison
pushes the team to cheer each other on and have confidence in each other. While Guadalupe Castilla, always goes out of her way to check on her teammates and uses her crafting skills to create amazing “Fort Bliss Tennis” masks and gear. These are just a few examples of the ladies who make this team feel like family. The team wins together and loses together. After a match, most teams turn in their scores to their captain and leave for the day. But, the Fort Bliss 3.5 team always sticks around until the last match is played, cheering on wins and consoling each other during losses. New duty stations can be isolating and lonely. Fortunately, at Fort Bliss Tennis it has given players an opportunity to be active and healthy, but it has also given them the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships. So, if you are interested in tennis, reach out to the Fort Bliss Tennis Club & Fitness Zone and get connected with a development class or a team. For more information, call 915-569-5448.
The Fort Bliss 3.5 team always sticks around until the last match is played.
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