Tennis pro McCartney Kessler is using her success on the court to give the next generation of Calhoun players an opportunity to follow a similar path.


Regardless of age, experience or skill, Kessler’s Hometown One Point Slam brought the Calhoun community together for the love of tennis over the weekend.

For tennis pro McCartney Kessler, the event was about much more than just the competition.

People from the Calhoun community took to the courts Sunday for a fast-paced, single-point elimination tournament.

The concept was simple: everyone gets one point to win, and the last player standing walks away with the $2,500 grand prize.

But the event was also a full-circle moment for Kessler, who grew up playing on those Calhoun courts before going on to play college tennis and eventually turning professional.

“These are the courts I grew up learning how to play tennis on,” Kessler said. “My parents taught me and my siblings had to play.”

Now, the professional athlete is using her success to give the next generation of Calhoun players an opportunity to follow a similar path.

“It’s just so cool to have McCartney back in Calhoun, you know, where she came from, and everybody showing the love of tennis together,” said Calhoun High girls’ tennis coach Marley Allen.

Allen once played alongside Kessler on the high school team.

Now, she’s coaching the next generation, including team captain Louisa Engel.

“Just to think that she was like on these courts playing, where I play my matches just like hallowed ground,” said Engel. “You know, it’s insane. And so, like the fact that she’s coming back here and like she’s giving back to the community that like she started in, and then she just grew so fast, is just it’s incredible.”

Kessler also surprised Calhoun High School with a donation and New Balance gear for its girls’ tennis program.

“I had like a donation in mind, and I knew that I wanted it to go towards the tennis community here,” Kessler said. “It’s a small town, but there is a big tennis community, and just to give younger kids an opportunity to play, and then maybe pursue a college career or professional career or something like I was able to do.”

Even members of Baylor’s tennis program came out to show their support.

For Kessler, it was an opportunity to inspire the next generation.