Captains of the Month

Meet Adult League Captain of the Montth, Haley Hamrick and Jr Team Tennis Captain of the Month, Beth Archer.

Adult Leage Captain of the Month. Haley Hamrick

A Chat with Haley Hamrick:

Where did you grow up? Tell us a bit about you outside of tennis.

I was born and raised in the great city of Tupelo, Mississippi! I have two younger brothers and a niece. My parents reside in Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN. I graduated Tupelo High School in 2006 and then studied at Itawamba Community College.
I moved to Cleveland in 2010 to study at Delta State University. After graduation, I stayed in the Delta after I was offered a job managing a local restaurant. In 2016, I began my career at Renasant Bank. I’ve been the Branch Manager of our Cleveland office since 2021. In 2024, I got my real estate license and began working part-time as a realtor with Griffith Real Estate in Cleveland.

When did you start playing tennis?

I started playing tennis in 2021. The only sports I played growing up were basketball and volleyball. So, I had never picked up a tennis racquet until I had a friend take me to Wards in Greenville MS for a “free net lesson”.

Who introduced you to the game?

Callie Gordon, that friend who took me to Wards!

What does tennis mean to you?

To me, tennis is more than just a sport. Sure my goal is to get the ball over the net, but it’s also an outlet for those good and bad days. It has definitely helped me be more patient and it’s the game that brought me some of the greatest friends.

What motivates you to be a captain?

I really enjoy captaining even though it can be challenging at times. It takes a lot of organizing! I’d say the players on my teams are the biggest motivation. We always have a good time, win or lose.

In her four years of captaining, Haley has captained 16 teams. In 2024, she captained six different teams. 

Jr Team Tennis Captain of the Month, Beth Archer

A passionate tennis enthusiast and dedicated community leader, Beth Archer has been the captain of Junior Team Tennis (JTT) teams for three years, building a bridge between aspiring players and match experience. As an assistant tennis coach at Jackson Prep, Beth recognizes the importance of JTT in nurturing both current school players and those hoping to join in the future, providing them with invaluable competitive exposure.

Originally from Greenville, Mississippi, Beth grew up in a vibrant tennis community full of family members who fostered her love for the game. While she may no longer reside in the Delta, her heart remains close to her roots, especially with her sister and family living in Jackson. As a proud aunt to Mollie and Mac, both former JTT players, and Baby George, who is not quite ready for a racket yet, Beth cherishes her family’s shared passion for tennis.

Every year, Beth takes on the challenge of captaining both 14U and 18U teams across spring, summer, and fall seasons, driven by her commitment to fostering young talent. An avid player herself, she's a longtime member of USTA, rejoining the league 15 years ago upon moving to Jackson. If given the opportunity, Beth would hit the courts every day, seeking the joy and camaraderie that tennis brings.

Currently, she is gearing up to play in a USTA match tonight and finds inspiration in fellow players, especially Anhelina Kalinina from Ukraine, who she had the pleasure of hosting years ago during the River Hills Open. Watching Kalinina's journey from the challenger level to the WTA tour has fueled Beth’s own passion, proving that hard work and determination in tennis can lead to greatness.