When Veronica "Mickey" Frierdich and her husband, Ronald, moved to Overland Park in 1976, among their first callers were represen-tatives of the Good Neighbor and Welcome Wagon clubs.

"They welcomed us to Overland Park and talked about opportunities available to us in the area—book clubs, antique clubs, entertainment possibilities," Frierdich said. "They also mentioned tennis clubs. That caught my interest."

Although Frierdich had never played a game of tennis in her life, she said, "I'll play." She joined a group that played in Prairie Village, learned the rules, and made friends.

"The first year, I played 11 matches and lost nine," she recalled. "The second year, I played 11 matches and won nine. I found I really enjoyed playing. So I took lessons and began playing several times a week."

Thirty years later, Frierdich plays four or five days a week with two groups and substitutes with other groups when they need an additional player. The players are mostly women, ranging in age from 70 to 80 plus, and they play virtually every day on city courts at 101st and Lowell streets and 103rd and Marty streets in Overland Park. Most of the women say that they play for the exercise and friendship—but make no mistake about it: They play because they love tennis and like to compete, and they play to win.

About the only enforced rule is that if players can't make it on the day they're scheduled to play, they must arrange a substitute.

Ginny Bruce Wolfe, Prairie Village, plays for the competition.

"I really enjoy competitive tennis," she said. "You get addicted to it. It's more than just exercise. I feel like I need to get out and play hard."

Wolfe began playing 25 years ago, when she was in her 40s.

"I attended Village Presbyterian Church and heard about their tennis program," Wolfe said. "That's how I got started. Later I became acquainted with some of the women playing at 101st and Lowell, and joined their group."

Marie Hilliard, Overland Park, also started playing in Prairie Village about 25 years ago. She subsequently made friends in the Overland Park groups and joined them.

"I'm so happy I found them," she said. "I play every day, and I love it. I like hitting the ball. If it rains, I play pingpong or shoot pool."

Frierdich is a zealot about the benefits of tennis, and activity in general.

"I hope we're setting an example for persons our age," she said. "We don't believe you should let age determine what you do. You soon realize you feel better when you're on the court instead of the couch. I have more trouble running the vacuum cleaner than playing tennis! Age doesn't mean you can't do it. And it's more fun to play a game than just exercise."

All men and women are welcome to join the tennis groups.

"Just bring your racquet and start playing," Frierdich said. "We'll be glad to have you. We especially need subs."

Inge Dugan, also of Overland Park, started playing tennis when she was young but gave it up because she didn't have enough time until she retired five years ago. Now she plays four or five days a week.

"I really, really love to play tennis," Dugan said.

She occasionally plays singles with an old friend, but with the group she always plays doubles.

"It's so much fun, and the competition and friendships make it so worthwhile," she said. "I tried golf a couple of years ago, but I decided it's a sport I don't have time to master. Besides, there's more action in tennis!"

Harriet Green, Overland Park, feels that way about tennis, too.

"I especially like it because it keeps me physically active," Green said. "You need to do something like that when you get older."

During the winter, Green plays indoor tennis with a senior group. She also swims.

Kitty Johnson, 87, plays tennis twice a week with a group at 101st and Lowell. Johnson, who lives in The Forum at Overland Park, didn't start playing until she was 70.

"My daughter, Kathy, is a tennis coach and wanted me to start playing," she said. "Of course I thought I was too old to learn, but I guess I wasn't."

Frierdich encourages persons who would like to join one of the groups to contact her. All older adults who want to be active and who enjoy playing tennis are welcome. The groups play from March to December. For more information, call Frierdich at 913-341-1862.

---