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In the previous year, WashU women’s tennis athlete Eliana Hanna, who was a junior at the time, along with co-founder Thrisha Kosaraju, initiated the inaugural collegiate chapter of the national nonprofit Second Serve.

This youth-led national initiative aims to improve the lives of underprivileged children who have a passion for tennis. Second Serve redistributes tennis gear to marginalized communities. Across the nation, the organization has made a significant difference in 39 states and 15 countries, boasting over 264 members and exceeding 32,500 donations.

The WashU chapter of Second Serve organizes clinics for the local community in collaboration with several organizations, including Breakpoint, Net Rushers, Ritenour School District, and Premier Charter School. Moreover, last spring, members contributed rackets, footwear, tennis bags, and racket covers to 32 children in the St. Louis region.

“Thrisha and I have been involved with the national organization since high school,” remarked Hanna, a student at Olin Business School. “I was part of a donation effort to Zimbabwe, which was incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable. When we arrived at WashU, we realized something like this was absent and we wanted to create it, especially since there was no existing collegiate chapter.”

The primary objective of introducing Second Serve to WashU is to positively impact the lives of children and provide opportunities for kids who might not otherwise engage in tennis to start playing.

“Tennis is one of those activities with a significant barrier to entry. A racket alone can cost $150,” Hanna explained. “Second Serve and similar organizations work to enable kids to play the sport and experience joy in something they may not access daily.”

Hanna is not the only WashU women’s tennis player on the club’s executive board. Senior Amber Edmonds joined Second Serve as the vice president last year and currently serves as its marketing chair. Edmonds participated in one of the clinics as a women’s tennis player and soon found herself eager to get more involved in the initiative.

“During our first clinic, we partnered with KEEN St. Louis, and I had an amazing time playing tennis with the kids,” shared Edmonds, also an Olin Business School student. “I knew I wanted to take a more active role.”

Hanna and Edmonds dedicated considerable time to achieving official recognition for Second Serve as a WashU club.

“We were both working diligently. It felt like we were focused on Second Serve more than our academic responsibilities,” Hanna joked. “There was a lot to do, but it was truly rewarding. We managed to capture a lot of interest, and our clinics were successful. We received wonderful feedback from both the children and the organizations we collaborated with.”

“As a new club, another challenge is that you’re just starting and not many know about you,” Edmonds continued. “Participating in the activities fair last semester really benefited us.”

Students interested in getting involved can find more details here.

Though Hanna and Edmonds are skilled tennis players — both being part of the Bears’ 2025 national championship team — anyone can volunteer with Second Serve, regardless of their tennis experience.

There are roles for on-court instructors that necessitate tennis knowledge, but there are also positions requiring minimal to no knowledge of the sport. Athletes from various other sports, including women’s soccer, have participated over the past year.

“We had approximately five to eight positions available for volunteers without tennis experience,” Hanna noted. “The remainder were on the court with the kids. We also had individuals collecting balls. Furthermore, it takes a lot to ensure the kids are orderly and not crowding one another, allowing plenty of room for those unfamiliar with tennis.”

“The focus isn’t solely on improving their forehand,” Edmonds said. “It’s really about making connections and having fun. At the conclusion of one clinic, we played 20 minutes of duck-duck-goose. The younger kids really enjoy chatting and getting to know us.”

Moreover, the skill levels of the children attending the clinics vary significantly. Ages range from 5 to teenagers, and the courts are organized by age and proficiency. Second Serve has experienced a good number of returning groups and kids at their clinics.

This fall, Second Serve plans to host a Halloween-themed clinic, conduct several fundraisers, and arrange a group donation. In the spring, the organization will provide additional clinics, with plans to coordinate one alongside a WashU women’s tennis match.

The post WashU’s Second Serve chapter aces community impact appeared first on The Source.

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