By: Tori Townsend

Everyone knows not to play with fire, but what about playing during a fire?

Rescue 911…we would like to report a group of extreme tennis enthusiasts playing amidst surrounding wildfires.

You would think that an untamed 1,500 acre brush fire near the Volusia-Flagler county line would send folks to congregate indoors for the afternoon. You would think that after wildfires in 1998, which burned more than 200,000 acres and 76 homes in Volusia and Flagler counties, that outdoor enthusiasts would take a break from the ever so enticing action. You would think that a group of eight women tennis players would opt to skip their traditional morning round robin play because of a hot, dangerous and nearby brush fire. You thought wrong.

Through wind, rain, and literally fire, it would be wise to huddle Jodi Manning, Julie Claude, Liz Coate, Gail Neufeld, Karen Gillespie, Lisa Hickox, Teresa Seeley and Joan Frazier as true tennis aficionados. Although a rare bunch, what may be more surprising was the fact that twelve other players on three different courts were breathing the same murky air while hitting shot after shot.

“We love the game so much, that it would take an evacuation of the area to actually get us to stop playing,” said Julie Claude. “Either that, or the smoke gets so thick that we can’t breathe anymore!”

Tennis admirers know that the game isn’t always played in the easiest conditions, from extreme sunshine and scorching heat to snow and sometimes freezing temperatures. However, this may take the cake as the most extreme.

The group has been playing together for four years and are comprised of players from both the 4.0 and 4.5 USTA league that plays out of Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. They call themselves the “Thursday Summer Fun Group” because after local league play ended in April, they continue to practice every Thursday in preparation for upcoming USTA summer league play.

Visibility on the courts may be reduced and officials may advise residents to stay indoors with the windows closed, but these eight devoted women are throwing caution to the smoky wind.

When captain Gail Neufeld called teammate Jodi Manning to decide whether play was on or off for the day, Jodi answered, “Well, I can see the houses now across the street.” An executive decision was made right then. The game was on.