Winning Connections
Just a year or two prior to clinching the ALTA City Finals title last season, many players on the Marcus JCC of Atlanta’s Sunday Women’s C7 tennis team had scarcely, if ever, picked up a tennis racquet. “It’s the craziest thing to have won that,” Blayne Salloway, one of the 17 teammates, reminisces with delight. “The feeling is beyond.”
“The moment was surreal,” agrees teammate Meredith Lefkoff. “Winning represented the culmination of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. The victory was inspiring and showcased our growth, not just as athletes but as a cohesive unit. It was a remarkable journey from beginners to champions, a testament to our determination and the supportive environment at the MJCCA.” The team credits their swift success in bringing home the coveted title to the influence, training, and expertise of the Tennis Pros at the Marcus JCC, Adam Silverstein and Rob Leventhal.
Acquiring a new skill as an adult can be challenging while balancing family, professional, volunteer, and household responsibilities. Mastering that skill requires significant investments of time, commitment, and family support. In addition to the three or four hours per week of the team’s official practice and matches, most of the women also squeeze in additional court time to hone their skills. “I play every day,” Blayne confesses, often engaging in early morning sessions with her kids in tow. “Working on my game is working for the team – but it feels more like fun than work.”
The group is united by their flourishing passion for the sport, which is now leading to treasured friendships. “Tennis has been a transformative experience,” Meredith declares. “The camaraderie and the challenge of improving my skills have been incredibly rewarding.” The team’s enjoyment bounces beyond the baseline, as they socialize after games, commute to tournaments, enjoy barbecues with their families, and more. “These moments add depth to our relationship, making our team not just a group of players but a close-knit community,” Meredith shares. Blayne adds, “I’ve been so excited to see real friendships develop. I have people rooting for me, not just in tennis, but in life.”
Because of these meaningful experiences and many others in different programs, the Marcus JCC holds a special place in Meredith’s heart. “It’s where I made my first friends as a mother, and now, where I’ve formed lifelong bonds,” she shares. “It’s a place of growth, learning, and community, offering support and enriching experiences, that has been a pillar in my journey of motherhood and personal development.”
The MJCCA is where I made my first friends as a mother, and now, where I’ve formed lifelong bonds.