Mixed Doubles: Jennifer Huber,
Bitsy Grant/Hard Courts B1
Nominated by Ted Carpenter, Echo Ridge
I would like to nominate Jennifer Huber for the Good Sportsmanship Award for the winter mixed season.
Everyone knows we had a significant weather situation in Atlanta (during the winter 2026 season). I have been a team captain now going on my fourth year for multiple men’s teams and now this mixed team. Jennifer was incredibly responsive and worked above and beyond so that we could get three matches in when we realized Saturday there was going to be a big window of dry air.
They were the first-place team in our league, and while I understand strategy is involved, she didn’t hesitate to get as many lines played, three in fact, Saturday, so that we had minimal makeups this week.
She was the most communicative captain I’ve come across in my time playing ALTA, and it shows a lot about her and her team’s passion for tennis, putting aside records and just getting the match in. Always positive, always appreciative, just a very kind warm human being that I wanted to recognize. I don’t have this kind of interaction often, and I’ve never put anyone in for this award before, but I felt it was necessary.
Like most of us, we have responsibilities throughout the week, and I travel significantly, so this was a breath of fresh air to have an opposing captain so willing to accommodate. Responses were within minutes, which I value.
Mixed Doubles: Ted Carpenter, Echo Ridge B1
Nominated by Jennifer Huber, Bitsy Grant
Ted was the home captain for the week-five match. When the forecast changed and we realized that Sunday matches may not be playable, Ted proactively reached out to see if we could schedule any lines to play on Friday before the weather came in. He pulled together three lines to play early and booked courts for us to play on.
Not only did Ted seamlessly schedule the early lines, he also proactively had availability for the rest of his team. As soon as the Sunday matches were officially canceled, Ted reached out with the other lines’ availability so we could confirm play time, and he booked courts immediately for us.
Following each of the days we played, Ted confirmed player names and scores in our text thread. He even braved the cold to go watch the last line play so he could enter scores immediately into the system.
Weather makeups can always be challenging between player and court availability, especially this winter! Ted made the entire process a breeze and only wanted to collaborate and make sure that our teams both had great experiences. As a former ALTA coordinator and a captain for many years, Ted has genuinely been one of the best examples of captaining and what this league is supposed to be about.
Sunday Women: Jean Bell,
Rockdale Tennis Center C4
Nominated by Chana Coughlin, River Oaks
I wanted to take a moment to sincerely acknowledge the Rockdale team for their wonderful hospitality during our match that unfortunately rained out. Even though we weren’t able to play that Sunday, the team graciously invited us to enjoy all the food they had already prepared — and they had quite a spread! During our makeup matches, they went above and beyond once again by providing thoughtful goody bags filled with snacks and drinks. It was such a kind gesture and a lovely way to say “thank you” for making the approximately 40-minute drive back out.
Their generosity and sportsmanship truly made the experience memorable, and we’re very grateful.
Senior Mixed: Deborah Gray,
Rockdale Tennis Center B1
Nominated by D’ablo Hunter, Sugar Creek
With rainouts the first two matches of the season plus a pending winter storm the third week of the season, we were playing a makeup match. Sugar Creek and Rockdale have a long-standing friendly rivalry since we tend to play each other every season in every league. Per usual, it was a great match; we were in the third set at 5-5. During an exciting point, my partner took a tumble and dislocated her shoulder. Deb and others from her team immediately came to her aide. We ended up going to the emergency room. The story could end here but not for Deb. In addition to contacting the captain of my team to update her on the situation, she actually came to the hospital to check on us. She offered to get us food and stayed as we waited to be seen. She also followed up later that night to make sure we didn’t need anything. This was all above and beyond for an opposing team captain. In all my experiences with court injuries, it typically defaults to the player’s captain and team to figure it out. Deb was a rock star!
