‘A tearful moment’: Pierce County sisters will represent South Sound at USTA Nationals
Sister-duo Kelly Hewitt and Wendy Clarke weren’t always teammates, now mere days from sharing a tennis court at the national level – they were fierce rivals.
Hewitt, a Rogers grad in 1979, and Clarke, a Puyallup graduate in 1977, were dueling pitchers on the softball field. Both played point guard for their basketball teams. Sister- and school rivalries were renewed every winter and spring.
But these days, Hewitt and Clarke are playing partners on the tennis court, forming a doubles duo at the Jupiter Tennis Center in Edgewood. And next week, their team of seven departs for Orlando, Florida, to compete at the USTA League’s National Championships.
From the 55-and-over Women’s 7.0 flight, captain Hewitt and ‘Team PNW’ begin competition on Friday, Oct. 27, and are guaranteed four matches at the USTA National Campus on Friday and Saturday.
“We played against each other… and now we play together,” Hewitt said. “It’s been a great gift.”
In late June, Hewitt’s team stormed to an undefeated record at the USTA Sectionals in Vancouver, the only squad to go the length of the tournament unscathed. Just six of their 13 total teammates were able to attend – essentially the required minimum, as three doubles matches commence simultaneously – yet Hewitt and Co. won at least two of three in every match.
The first-place finish at sectionals granted their impending trip to Florida; all will compete at the national level for the first time.
“It’s huge,” Hewitt said. “It’s almost like a tearful moment for people.”
Joining Hewitt and Clarke in Orlando: MaiMai Benson, Karen Fossum, Kristi Gonzalez, Julie Monson, and Shirley Shen. Gonzalez was unable to compete at the Vancouver sectional due to a knee injury, but returns in time for nationals.
Also part of the regular-season group that propelled Team PNW to the postseason: Ilene Anderson, Deb Dymarkowski, Gina Hagen, Vickie Mercer, Kim Nazzal, and Tanya Stambuk.
“It takes a team to advance this far and the first step is winning the local league,” Hewitt said. “All of these ladies played matches for our team during the regular league season. Their support as team members is invaluable.”
By 2017, Hewitt and Clarke were tennis teammates on separate courts – though the loss of their father, Denny Rowley, soon after spurred the sisters to share a court together as a doubles duo.
“He would have loved that we partnered up,” Hewitt said.
Then, Clarke joined Hewitt and became a co-captain. They competed in various leagues, spanning all age groups, and moved up in the tennis ranks.
Now arrives their biggest test yet. Hewitt, Clarke, and their five teammates arrive in Florida on Wednesday. All will participate in a preparatory clinic Thursday on-site, meant to acclimate players to an unfamiliar court and environment.
“And dial down our nerves a little bit,” added Hewitt, chuckling.
First up: Team PNW meets Team Intermountain on Friday at 9:30 a.m. EST. One of five teams in their group will advance and compete Sunday for first-through-fourth place.
“Of course, we’re hoping to take first,” Hewitt said.
The USTA’s full schedule can be found here. Times below are eastern:
‘TEAM PNW’
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE (Oct. 27)
9:30 a.m. — vs. Intermountain
3 p.m. — vs. Hawaii
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE (Oct. 28)
9:30 a.m. — vs. MO Valley
3 p.m. — vs. Midwest
This story was originally published October 25, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘A tearful moment’: Pierce County sisters will represent South Sound at USTA Nationals."
