Blog Issue

There seems to be a technical issue with our blog via Google.  I'm trying to upload this message via my phone to see if it will post!  

Save The Lady Vol Logo!

Morning Peeps!  After a much needed weekend with girlfriends.  Natalie returned from Portland at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.  Slept a few hours then headed to Nashville.  

Why Nashville?  To help "Save the Lady Vol Logo", of course.  Today, she will Lobby ....along side other former Lady Vols and supporters.  

The group will spend the day at Tennessee's Capital to rally support for a new law.  The law will mandate that the Lady Vols be titled such ...forever.  

Here's what our gal looks like this morning in preparation to tackle the Capital:

Here's hoping you are enjoying your spring as much as I am ours!  Love and Blessings.... Sherry!

Don't Forget To Vote.....

 Yes, I've been quiet for a reason, as a matter of fact ....many reasons!

But for today ....

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE....

The Fire Is Out.....

 Here is the post Natalie made to Face Book this morning....

First I want to take a few minutes to thank everyone who has been by me through so many ups and down, victories, failures, challenges, highs, lows, opportunities, championships, recruiting, surgeries and rehab. Thank you to every single person who has been there for me on my quest for greatness. Thank you to my housing moms/dads/sisters/brothers for creating such amazing atmospheres for me to be a part of. You guys are many of the reasons why the tour is fun and exciting. The people always make the places. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.

I also want to thank my mom, dad, Nic, Ed, and Clementine (the most solid and greatest team anyone could ask for, let alone call mine) for always being there for me. Thank you for pushing me to become the best that I could be. Thank you for pushing me when I needed it most. Thank you for providing the opportunities to glorify God through my talent on the tennis court. Thank you for humbling me everyday and reminding me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I'm forever grateful for all that each one of you have done for me the last 22 years of my tennis career. I couldn't have done it without you guys. Thank you for giving me the best 22 years of support while playing this game.

I also want to thank every coach and trainer who has taught, instructed, challenged, and motivated me through the years. Thank you for taking the time to make me better and into the player I am today. Thank you Beth for believing in me even when I was a mere 40 pounds. You truly were an inspiration and monumental at instilling fire and passion into the game for me. From the depths of my heart, thank you.

To the Vol Nation.. The best four years of my tennis career was when I was at Tennessee. I want to thank everyone there who fueled the fire to compete with such passion and love. Thank you for all those who came to our matches and for creating an unbelievable atmosphere and energy, unlike any I have ever experienced. Thank you to the staff who helped me recovery from my injuries and helped me through pivotal moments of rehab. Thank you for always believing in me and challenging me to get better and stronger. Thank you to every team mate I had that pushed me everyday to be better. Thank you for all of the memories and laughs! I'll never forget looking next to me and seeing everyone battling and grinding together, making history. Thank you all. I will always be a Lady Vol for life and bleed orange.

To all of my friends and family, thank you for every bit of support! Without any of you, none of this could have been possible. You guys are the reason I can stand here today and say, I had the opportunity to do something great, impact people around the world, and experience all that I have. Thank you all for taking the ride with me.

With a heavy heart I write this post to announce my retirement from playing tennis. I have been struggling with decision for quite some time but know it's the right move for me moving forward. This game has taught me many things and has exposed me to so much, I'm extremely humbled by all that it has given me and showed me.

Much love to every single person who has walked into my life up until this point.

The closing of one chapter will lead to the opening of another.

Bron Bron

Hey peeps!  Natalie is enjoying her time in Midland.  She did not get into doubles.  Truth be told, she was probably happy!  

Natalie continues to participate with the community outreach programs.  As well as work with the local youth on the courts.  She had great visits to a couple local schools.  Here's a peek:

And here are the "boys"....

Sorry! I don't know the name of the two cuties on the left.  Andrew is on the right and is Nat's house brother.  

This is Bron Bron....who according to Natalie and Diane...he misses me!  Ugh!

Natalie is in Midland thru the weekend! She loves Midland, the tourney and especially the people.  All of which she will soon miss.

Wishing all of you a month of live and blessings....Sherry!

Midland Update

Greetings from Vegas!  I'm here and Natalis is in Midland, Michigan.  The weather is to turn to snow for her by Tuesday.  Being one of her favorite tourneys, she won't mind it.

Natalie was looking forward to seeing the Frickeys including my favorite...Bron Bron the dog.  This moose of a dog scares me to no end, but as Diane is quick to point out...."he loves you Sherry".  Yup, he is always at my side, which for me ...a person VERY afraid of big dogs ...is unnerving.  Let alone I'm very allergic to him.

Annnyyyywayyyy, Natalie is enjoying her time with all of them.  She has been able to work with several groups of kids on the courts.  As well as, take part in a kids questioning session.  That I might add had a stumper of a question, "what's your favorite thing?".  Natalie and Nicole Gibbs were for a loss with that tough one.  Lol!

At this point, Nat is not in the 100k in Midland.  We won't know for sure until 12:01 p.m. tomorrow.  Not looking good.   

Here are a few pics of Natalie and friends....

The ladies, Savannah, Clair, Mia, Salma and Natalie.

Team Pluskota....woot!

Natalie and Nicole

Daytona, Midland

Greetings from Georgia!  Sorry for the delay in blogging, but this week has been eventful and not in a good way!  We returned to GA yesterday, after a three day hiatus in Tampa.  A bit of a regrouping if you will.  More bout that at a later date.

Last weekend, we packed up the car including Natalie's brother Nic and the dog (Princess Peach).  Nic is post op and on sick leave from work, so we convinced him a change of scenery would be good for him.  And Peach, just cuz!

We made our way to Daytona Beach.  Very grateful for the wild card opportunity into the 25K.  Natalie partnered up with Katia Kamendova, a local pro.   Because Natalie's ranking is so low, that was the only hope of getting into the tourney.  We didn't know Katia before this pairing, but knew others that know her.  She is a very sweet young lady, who is loved at her tennis center.

Unfortunately, our team drew a tough first round opponent.  Cako/Loeb, both seasoned tour doubles players.  This would be Katia's first attempt.  Although our team had many chances, our poor serving and ground strokes made it wayyyy tooo easy for the opponents.  Losing 1-6, 3-6.

Here are a few pics from Daytona:

Natalie will head to Midland, Michigan next week.  Hoping for a wild card into doubles of that 100K.  The chances are slim, but she will attempt it.  She loves that tourney and would love to play this year, we shall see.  Last year she made the journey there and helped with the community outreach program.  Natalie's favorite program of all tourney.  She is looking forward to seeing the Frickey family, including  Bron Bron.....the dog!  According to Nat, my favorite host dog.....lol!

Hate that I will miss Midland again this year.  Not only are the people awesome, the tourney is first class.  But I always enjoy the snow, for I love snow....or at least I love visiting snow.  I know they will take great care of Natalie and she will enjoy herself and Midland.  Love and Blessings.....Sherry