Local 55 and over doubles team No. 2 in U.S.
<p>USTA 55 and over doubles tennis team members from Hayden took second place in the national championship last weekend in Surprise, Ariz.</p><p>Pictured: Betsey Ashcraft, Cyndie Lempesis, Carol Furman, Julie Travis, Shirlee Steiner, Nancy Bettesworth and captain Cheryl Stransky.</p>
A United States Tennis Association doubles team from Peak Tennis Center in Hayden is the No. 2 doubles team in the nation in the 55 and over level.
Earlier this year, the team won the Pacific Northwest sectional tournament in Portland, Ore. and qualified for the national competition in Surprise, Ariz.
Team members Betsey Ashcraft, Cyndie Lempesis, Carol Furman, Julie Travis, Shirlee Steiner, Nancy Bettesworth and captain Cheryl Stransky played in the USTA doubles 55 and over championship last weekend. The team won its semi-final match against Florida and played in the championship match against Nashville, losing in a tie break.
There are 900,000 USTA players in the U.S., with 900 qualified for nationals at various levels, men and women.