USTA Southern crowned 18 champions at the 2017 18 & Over and 40 & Over Combo Doubles Southern Sectional Championships, played March 9-11.
North Carolina had an outstanding tournament with eight champions and three finalists, far outdistancing other states. The Charlotte, N.C. suburb of Huntersville had two champions. Alabama and Mississippi finished with three champions and two finalists.
In two 18 & Over Women’s levels, teams from one state faced off in the finals. In the 2.5 level, Metairie, La. defeated New Orleans. In the 8.5 level, Huntersville, N.C. defeated Asheville.
The annual championships were played at the Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center (tournament headquarters) and Cottage Hill/Medal of Honor Park.
There were 159 men’s and women’s teams with more than 1,500 players from nine states. This is the 2017 tournament because teams qualified in local and state championships played last fall.
Team photos of champions and finalists.
Champions and finalists were:
| Level | Winner & Captains/Co-captains | Finalist & Captains/Co-captains | Score in Final |
| 18 & Over Men’s 5.5 |
Southaven, Miss. (B) Chad Tow |
N/A | 6-0 in round robin |
| 18 & Over Men’s 6.5 |
Jackson, Miss. Jordan Merchant |
Little Rock, Ark. (A) Kyle Francis |
3-0 |
| 18 & Over Men’s 7.5 |
Jackson, Miss. Jordan Merchant |
Dalton, Ga. (A) Lee Charles |
3-0 |
| 18 & Over Men’s 8.5 |
Huntersville, N.C. Alex King/Andre Simeon |
Mobile, Ala. Kenny Sands |
3-0 |
| 18 & Over Men’s 9.5 |
Wilmington, N.C. Michael Ryder |
N/A | 4-0 in round robin |
| 18 & Over Women’s 2.5 |
Metairie, La. (A) Gina McMahon |
New Orleans (B) Sami Dantin/Stacey Wickersham |
2-1 |
| 18 & Over Women’s 5.5 |
Little Rock, Ark. Leslie Caldwell-Galvan/Jessica Cook |
Vestavia, Ala. Lauren Tanner/Caroline Sain |
2-1 |
| 18 & Over Women’s 6.5 |
Mooresville, N.C. Jennifer Peruc |
Louisville, Ky. Diana Galla/Lindsey Webber |
2-1 |
| 18 & Over Women’s 7.5 |
Chattanooga, Tenn. Kim Riley |
Hattiesburg, Miss. Melanie Fink |
3-0 |
| 18 & Over Women’s 8.5 | Huntersville, N.C. (A) Cheryl Piazza/Sunny Reeves |
Asheville, N.C. (B) Ashley Lewis/Susie Manley |
2-1 |
| 18 & Over Women’s 9.5 | Birmingham, Ala. (A) Frankie Gilliam |
Winston-Salem, N.C. Loni Worsley |
2-1 |
| 40 & Over Men’s 6.5 |
Pelham, Ala. (A) Chad Cullum/Patrick Mills |
Brandon, Miss. Tom Merchant |
2-1 |
| 40 & Over Men’s 7.5 |
Memphis, Tenn. Jeffrey Lee |
Duncan, S.C. Jay Prince |
2-1 |
| 40 & Over Men’s 8.5 |
Auburn, Ala. Kevin Fichtner |
Raleigh, N.C. Yubie Albert |
3-0 |
| 40 & Over Women’s 5.5 |
Cary, N.C. (B) Amy Barclay/Jennifer Holt |
Memphis, Tenn. (B) Jessica Lancaster/Dynelle Rinkes |
2-1 |
| 40 & Over Women’s 6.5 |
Charlotte, N.C. Jeanne Ann Lewis |
Youngsville, La. Beth Faulk/Jennifer Meaux |
2-1 |
| 40 & Over Women’s 7.5 |
Fayetteville, N.C. Megan Mannell |
Valdosta, Ga. Michelle Kirkpatrick |
3-0 |
| 40 & Over Women’s 8.5 |
Charlotte, N.C. Arlene Conger |
Bossier City, La. Sheila Pernici |
3-0 |