Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2016

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T he annualwomen’s tennis
tournament on Daniel Island, the
Volvo Car Open – formerly the
Family Circle Cup – is an incredible
showcase of pro tennis players at the
peak of their careers, and it’s a
big event in the Charles-
ton area every year. But it wouldn’t be the
same without
the 500 people
who volunteer their time and energy
every year to make it run.
Of those 500 volunteers, around
200 make up the ball crew, which
consists mainly of teens and kids who
spend the tournament on the courts with
the players, making sure they have balls for
serving. But don’t be deceived: Even though
it sounds like an easy job, the ball crew goes through a
rigorous program of training to earn the right to be on the
court during the matches. They work hard.
“We’ve been told that we’re one of the better ball crews
on the circuit,” said Felicia Sperr, Ball Crew Shift Leader at
the Volvo Car Open.
Felicia returns this April as one of the trainers and lead-
ers of the ball crew. She’s in her 16th year of volunteering
with the tournament, which she called a fun event
all around.
Sophie Estoppey, 15, agreed.
“I just love it,” said Sophie, who, as
an avid tennis player herself, enjoys the
educational aspect of being on the ball
crew. “It’s fascinating to see how the pro-
fessionals play, the techniques they use.
There are players from all over the world,
and you can see their different styles.”
This will be Sophie’s third year on the
ball crew, which makes her a veteran. What
are her highlights of her time on the crew?
“I did ball crew for Venus Williams, which was really
awesome,” she said.
The main goal of the ball crew is to “make the players’
Having
a Ball
Volunteers at the Volvo Car Open
by Erin Danly
Photos courtesy of the Volvo Car Open.