Daniel Island Club tennis team makes history, advances to USTA Nationals

The Daniel Island Club Women's 55 & Over 3.0 USTA tennis team recently made club history by winning the USTA Southern Sectional Championship in Auburn, Alabama, becoming the first USTA league team from the club to qualify for the USTA League National Championships. 

Competing through the USTA Lowcountry Tennis Association, the women captured the Lowcountry City Championship in April before claiming the South Carolina state title in May, earning a berth at sectionals. There, they faced league champions from nine Southern states, with just one team advancing to nationals. Their victory secured a spot at the USTA League National Championships this November in Mobile, Alabama. 

"Sectionals was an incredible experience," team captain Cami Gilsenan said. "Every match was highly competitive, and several came down to just a few key points." 

The Daniel Island Crushers went 5-0 and 14-1 individually to capture the Southern Sectional title. Gilsenan said the difference wasn't one standout player, but the team's confidence in one another. 

"What made this team so special was our depth. Every player stepped onto the court believing they could make the difference when it mattered most, and throughout the season, the team never lost confidence that someone would rise to the occasion in the biggest moments. We stayed positive, supported one another, and trusted each other from the first point to the last." 

Getting to the championship was a feat in itself for Gilsenan. She had previously competed at sectionals four times but had never been able to get past the final. That breakthrough also marked a first for Daniel Island Club. 

"We are the first Daniel Island Club USTA league team to qualify for the USTA National Championships," she said. "Daniel Island Club has a proud tennis tradition, and representing our club on the national stage is something we are incredibly honored to do." 

The victory, she said, was years in the making. 

"Several players on this team had competed at the sectional level in previous years but had fallen just short of winning the sectional title," Gilsenan said. "Finally breaking through made the victory even more meaningful." 

She credits much of the team's success to coach Ann Harrah. 

"Ann is an exceptional leader who brings organization, experience, encouragement, and positivity to every match," Gilsenan said. "She has a remarkable ability to build team chemistry while ensuring every player feels valued and prepared." 

That chemistry extended beyond match day. 

"All of our players are members of the Daniel Island Club tennis program, and together we've become a close-knit group that genuinely enjoys competing together," she said. "That camaraderie has been one of our greatest strengths throughout the season." 

The championship roster includes captain Cami Gilsenan, coach Ann Harrah, Amy Baker, Deidre McMurtry, Dianne Potts, Elke Pizzo, Gail Russell, Linda Porter, Lora Dennis, Martha Daley, Mickey Peart, Missy Moran, and Tricia Gottlieb. 

Now, after making club history, the team has one more goal in sight. 

"We've already accomplished something very special by reaching nationals," Gilsenan said. "But we're certainly not going just to participate – we're going to compete."