In addition to making the All-Conference team in 2011, senior Kaitlyn Blakey received the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award for the Southeast Region.

Tennis was one of the first sports played at Queens, beginning in the early 1900's. Later, Queens joined the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, and in 1989 the Royals men's and women's tennis teams join the NCAA Division II alongside the rest of Queens' athletics programs. We've come a long way -in 2010-11, both teams were conference champions, and tennis remains the heart of Queens' athletics. Some things haven't changed - for more than a century tennis has been a core sport in our physical education program, and hundreds of new players have been introduced this lifetime sport at Queens.

This year, we strive to continue that progress by building a much-needed competitive tennis center. The construction of the Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation on the Selwyn campus will advance all Queens' athletic programs and physical education courses, but it also means that the Royals tennis teams are playing on loaned courts until we can build them a new, permanent home at Queens Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park. When completed, the tennis center will benefit student-athletes,  students taking tennis courses or playing for fun, and also community members, who will have access to the courts during off-hours.

Queens' tennis programs are growing fast, both in recruitment and competitiveness, and our student-athletes demonstrate high achievement and rates of retention that positively influence all students. If you are interested in learning more about this project or making a gift to support the tennis center, please contact Laura Beth Ellis at 704.337.2334 or ellislb@queens.edu.

Improvement Details

Cost:
Phase 1 = $1.5 million
Phase 2 = $3.2 million

Use:
Royals tennis practice and competition; student and community play

More Information:
Additional Views
Sports Complex Master Plan (.pdf)