Long Island Tennis

Mary started playing tennis when she was 5. Her favorite past-time was hitting against a wooden backboard at the end of the family's tennis court.

Her tiny stature made it impossible to grip the racket, so she developed what is now called a "Western Grip." By the time she took her first lesson (age 10), her western forehand was so consistent that the pro (Pierre Etchebaster) decided not to change it.

Her next coach, Harold Blaner, introduced her to the ETA and USTA. She played in Junior Tournaments and was ranked number one in the 14 & under and 18 & under. At age 16, she reached the quarters.

There was little time for tennis after high school. But in the late 70's she discovered Senior Tennis. She played in Eastern and National tournaments. She won 26 USTA balls, six of them Gold. She was named to four International Cup Teams, in her 60's and 65's, but only actually played in one -- she played on the 65 team in 2000 that came home with the Cup for the United States.