Carlos Garcia, 2019 Raleigh's Best Pro of the Year:

Congratulations to Carlos Garcia for being named Raleigh’s 2019 Best Pro of the Year. Carlos is the Academy Director at the The Raleigh Racquet Club. Raleigh Pro League player, Carlos was a top rated Junior in Tennessee and eventually played for the University of Tennessee, playing in the SEC Team Championship in 1986. Winner of the Oregon State Championships, National Level 2, Carlos has nationally ranked #3 in USTA Men’s 35’s, 40’s and 45’s singles. Impressively, he also is a member of the US Gordon Trophy & Sorlein Cub Team (USA vs. Canada) as well as a Member of the US Amigos Cup Team (USA vs Mexico). Coaching since 1987, Carlos is a beloved and respected coach in Raleigh, known for challenging players all while having a great sense of humor and a clever way of explaining things. As one of his players said, “There is no one quite like Carlos and we are enormously fortunate to have him here in Raleigh, North Carolina”. 

​Allen Oliver, 2019 RTA's Best Team Captain of the Year: 

Congratulations to Allen Oliver on being named RTA's 2019 Best Team Captain of the Year! The award is given to an area captain, voted by their peers and teammates to be a hardworking, organized and devoted captain. Allen played High School tennis 1985 to 1989 at Military Boarding school, then did not pick up his racquet again until he moved to Raleigh in 2011. Allen was pleased to discover that "all good instruction comes back!" In 2012, he started captaining teams through Brier Creek Country Club. And in 2018, his team won Sectionals in Combo Doubles 40 & Over Men 6.5! Allen is motivated to captain by the friends he has made and looks forward to seeing them on the courts. "Allen is organized, energizing, and is the reason that we play USTA teams," said one of his teammates.

NC State Club Tennis (Tennis On Campus) 2019 Raleigh's Volunteer of the Year:

Congratulations to NC State Club Tennis Tennis on Campus Team for being named Raleigh's 2019 Volunteer of the Year! This award is given to a volunteer or volunteer group in our community that exemplifies extraordinary efforts in dedicating their time to Raleigh tennis programs and events. The Tennis On Campus Team has shown great commitment to the Try Tennis program on NC State campus; as well as outstanding volunteer efforts in Knightdale's Harper Park Grand Opening, Hispanic Outreach initiatives, Boys and Girls Club Festival, Y-Guides Camp Kanata, Raleigh Pro League, and other area-wide events. These efforts have been tremendous in growing the game in Raleigh. We are proud of the players as incredible young leaders in our community.

QueenE Hargrove, 2019 Raleigh's Player of the Year:

Congratulations to QueenE Hargrove for being named Raleigh’s 2019 Player of the Year! This award is given to a local player and voted by other players in the Raleigh area. This award is presented to a league player who demonstrates good sportsmanship, consistently plays on league teams, and encourages a positive play environment for their team. QueenE has played tennis for 45 years and has played in approximately 100 leagues throughout each season. “I can honestly say that tennis has been a life changer for me,” says QueenE. QueenE was a baseball player before evolving into a tennis player. The difference, she says, was that she could not raise her children on a baseball field as easily as she could on a Tennis court. QueenE is known for her “work ethic, loving heart, and of course her skills”. To QueenE, tennis has meant a strong connection to her community and family, “Tennis brings a camaraderie of so many wonderful people. All different ethnic groups, with so many different and wonderful personalities.”