Duval County’s Kari Merriman named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

Kari Merriman and her dedication to tennis shines bright as she serves as USTA Adult League Captain, a position she’s volunteered in for over five years. This month she is being honored as USTA Florida’s Volunteer of the Month. Kari has been a transformative force in her tennis community at the Atlantic Beach Country Club (ABCC), growing the game of tennis. 

Due to the Covid pandemic, tennis saw a massive boom and Kari took advantage of that at ABCC, where she’s significantly increased opportunities for competitive play. With the surge of interest at ABCC, Kari responded by creating teams for different skill levels and schedules. She kicked off this initiative with the 2023 Summer Combo team, which saw great success, creating an environment where every player had plenty of match play opportunities.  

Inspired by the success of her summer team, Kari continued to build teams, starting two winter and two spring teams. Her efforts resulted in over 32 registered 2.5-level USTA players at ABCC within just one year, a remarkable achievement that speaks to her commitment to expanding the game. 

“Tennis is such an important mix of social interaction, competition, and cardio,” Kari said. “I’m so happy to be able to give these ladies more opportunities for match play.” Her role goes beyond just organizing teams, she’s truly passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive community on and off the court. She finds joy in witnessing players improve, hit winning shots, and experience the thrill of competitive play. 

While she has yet to pin down a single best tennis memory, Kari says that each new match and every team she works with adds to the collection of cherished memories she holds. To her, each day spent on the court offers fresh highlights and rewarding experiences. 

When she’s not busy with tennis, Kari enjoys a variety of activities, including biking, working out, cooking, and reading. But her dedication to tennis is never far from her mind; she often spends time crafting line-ups, coordinating schedules, and keeping her players engaged. 

Kari’s dedication to building a vibrant tennis community is evident, and USTA Florida is honored to recognize her contributions and name her the October Volunteer of the month. Her volunteer work has made a lasting impact, not only increasing player participation but fostering a positive environment that draws people together, creating new friendships and lasting memories. 

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit ustaflorida.com/volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.