Point Set Team Finishes Third At National Championships

For the second straight year, a team led by Laura Crain that played out of Point Set Tennis in Oceanside had the bold task of representing not just Long Island, but the entire Eastern Section, at the annual USTA Adult National Championships in California.

And while her 40 & Over 3.0 team did not bring home the national title this time around, Crain’s team had a successful trip out to the west coast, earning a third-place finish on the court all while enjoying their time together off the court.

“It honestly feels like first,” said Crain. “The top three spots get a banner and a plate, and we did that. I think there were 17 teams at Nationals, and to finish in the top three out of thousands across the country is amazing. I could not be happier or more pleased. Somehow third feels 50,000 times better than fourth, the difference between the bronze and a participation ribbon, if you will.”

Crain’s team opened up by playing the team from Texas, where they lost three courts on the first day which forced them to come-from-behind in order to qualify for the playoffs. The team continued to fight against those odds, and battled to the end.

“It was so hard not knowing if we would even make it to the playoffs; to come back from that and then fight our way to third place, I am just so proud of my team,” said Crain. “In the playoffs, we lost to the team that finished second overall, Middle States, but all but one of our courts went to 10-point tiebreakers. We were right there with those two teams.”

Instead of hanging their heads after a difficult defeat to Middle States, Crain’s team responded the right away, and made sure to play some of their best tennis as they aimed to leave Nationals with at least a top-three finish.

“It wasn’t easy mentally to get right back on the court mentally and physically, and battle it out for either third or fourth, but knowing we still had a chance at third place did light a fire under us that we needed,” Crain explained. “We went back out there ready to beat Northern California. We fought so hard for it and it was well-earned and well-deserved.”

A key reason for the team’s success was their experience at Nationals the year prior, which both created interest in more players wanting to join their team, and understanding how to navigate the long weekend in tough conditions against some of the best teams in the country.

“When the six of us came back last year [from Nationals], I think a lot of people got excited about what we had done, most of the players at our level on our club teams and local leagues had not been playing USTA so they really wanted to get involved, and that was very exciting,” said Crain. “Having been [to Nationals], it was nice to be able to tell the new players what to expect. Most New York players play USTA tennis indoors during the summer so until you are in those hot conditions like in Arizona and California, you don’t understand what it’s like to have that kind of in-your-face sun and heat. It’s definitely a factor, and we were able to capitalize on the experience from last year and better prepare ourselves.”

While Crain and her team were unable to duplicate the exact success of last year, they had an amazing season in 2024. A third-place finish at the National Championships is a result to be proud of, and even more important than the success on the court, are the memories made and the great times had while traveling with people you enjoy.

Being able to compete against and meet new people from all across the country, who share a similar love and passion for the sport of tennis, is at the heart of what makes USTA Adult Leagues such a popular endeavor.

“Meeting and competing against women from all over the country has been truly remarkable. Some of my favorite memories included the bonding with everyone over everything from ice packs and Theraguns, to leg compression boots, you name it, someone had it,” said Crain’s teammate, Marie Romeo-Gough. “Even strategizing over lunches and dinners, and just hanging out in between matches, created unforgettable moments. After one match against Hawaii, for example, we exchanged phone numbers, shared hugs, and still stay in touch. Most of us are moms, so while we were competing, there was a mutual appreciation for the effort and determination it takes to make it to Nationals. Seeing women from different teams encouraging and supporting one another was incredibly inspiring.”

The attention now turns to 2025 as Crain and her team aim to make another run through the Long Island leagues, with the goal of once again winning Regionals and Sectionals, and returning to the National Championships.

They know they may have a target on their back next season after a track record of success, but they are ready for that, and are excited to have the success that other teams aspire to.

“We are going to regroup and come out even stronger in the spring,” said Crain. “Our team takes lessons, plays picks up games, sets up drills and clinics. We work hard to be good teammates to each other and it shows with our winning record.”