Taya Shepard Dianna remembers all the years she spent without tennis. Looking back, she doesn’t know how she did it.

“I started playing tennis when I moved to Delaware because I didn’t really know anybody,” Dianna said. “I thought tennis would be a great way to meet people, and it was. I’ve had a love for the sport ever since.”

When somebody approaches Dianna about tennis, they better pick a topic. Tennis trips, USTA League teams, or community involvement – she can speak for hours on all of them. A USTA League Captain of numerous teams, tennis has introduced her to the area and taken her on more trips than she can count. There are trips to Tucson, Ariz. for USTA League nationals in 2006 and 2013, and trips to California and Florida for World TeamTennis Nationals in 2007 and 2009. Dianna adds locations like Charleston, S.C., and even Greece as locations of tennis trips with teammates and friends. She can keep going.

“The social aspect of the game is amazing,” she said. “Tennis has given me a chance to be with friends, play and travel.”

For the last seven years, Dianna has even hosted a US Open bus trip. More than 50 people attend each year.

“I do it because I love it,” she said. “I hope everyone out there sees what tennis has done for me, and what it can do for them.”