Honoring a trailblazer

Val Woska said that she can still hear Nancy Corse Reed's voice coaching her as she chooses her serves and return shots on the tennis court.

"Her mission in life was for everybody to have a glancing knowledge, if not a full-blown love of tennis," said Woska, Reed's former student who organized the dedication of Azalea Lane Tennis Pavilion to Reed, who paved the way for women and seniors in tennis.

On May 17, a ceremony, which included a round robin tennis tournament, revealed the Azalea Lane Tennis Pavilion's new plaque with Reed's name. Around 60 of Reed's friends and, more than anything, tennis students over the years, gathered to play tennis, eat and remember the late Winter Park resident and Rollins College alumni who inspired them to be better players and people.

"She thought through everything she said and did — nothing was rushed," Woska said of Reed in life and on the courts. "Wouldn't it be nice in life if everybody was so steadfast?"

Reed was a champion in women's tennis. She won close to 100 national and international titles, and throughout her life, she ranked No. 1 in every single's age division from 35 to 75. That's right, she was playing tennis well into her last days in 2009, capturing titles and playing until just less than a year before she died. Tennis was her life, and something she loved so much she wanted to share it with everyone.

Friends said Reed didn't just sit back and wish people learned tennis, she made it happen. She was a teacher at the Azalea Lane Tennis Center for decades, and was invaluable to the many she taught.

"She really pushed them to believe in themselves," said Kay Merrill, Reed's best friend and fellow tennis player and teacher.

Not only was she a trailblazer in the world of women's tennis, she was partly responsible for the existence of senior women's tennis. Reed co-founded and was the first president of the National Senior Women's Tennis Association, and she also co-founded the Les Grandes Dames Senior Women's Prize Money Tennis Circuit.

Reed, who thought of tennis as a lifelong sport, wanted everyone to be able to play. And of course, she needed an arena herself. She loved competing, and had the most amazing concentration during the game, Merrill said. She had the stamina to play against anyone, even those much younger than her.

"It was humbling; she made it look effortless," said Woska, who remembered when Reed played against a young University of Central Florida player. "For somebody in their 70s to be able to beat a 20-year-old is pretty amazing," Woska said.

Merrill said tennis was always Reed's priority, even when she was diagnosed with cancer and had to endure chemotherapy. She set the ground rules for the chemo right away.

"If I have to do this, you're going to have to schedule it around my tournaments," Merrill said Reed told the doctor.

And she was serious. That's one thing Reed's friends said about her — that she was very consistent and always had an unwavering opinion about everything. She was a leader on the courts and off.

"She was a central figure and leader in our family," said Reed's nephew, Buddy Corse. "And she was always someone who had relevant experience and something to share."

Merrill called Reed an "idea person" and said she was always pushing her to improve in tennis and life.

Suzanne Wood, who calls herself one of the few "non-tennis playing friends," said the same thing about Reed. Though most of her life was devoted to tennis, Reed also liked socializing and eating with friends.

"She believed in good food and good times," Wood said. "She would be excited that people she has known are here along with her family to enjoy a good round of tennis and a good lunch."

Merrill believes that, too. While the memorial service for Reed last year was difficult for her, this dedication is a happy moment for Merrill. When she spends time teaching at Azalea Lane, and on the day of the dedication, she still sees her friend of 40 years.

"I can still see her at court 10 — her favorite court; I still see her teaching the ladies and the kids," Merrill said. "She would've been very happy about Monday."