On Monday nights in Spaulding Farm, if you hear music drifting across the courts and a group of guys laughing a little too loudly between points, you’ve found them — the Ball Busters.

Technically known as the HWY14 team (a blend of Spaulding Farm and Ashton players), the group has embraced a far less formal identity over the years. The name “Ball Busters” stuck early on, and like most things with this team, it wasn’t overthought — it just fit.

What started during the uncertainty of the pandemic has turned into one of the most consistent and competitive tennis groups in the Upstate. When everything shut down, a few neighbors began playing tennis together as a way to get out of the house, stay active, and safely socialize while keeping “six feet apart.” Monday nights quickly became a tradition — and never really stopped.

“We started during COVID as something to do just to get out of the house,” the team shared. “Most of us were newer to tennis or just getting back into it, but it gave us a way to compete and stay connected.” From those early quarantine hits and misses, a real team began to take shape. Some had played before, many had not, but the group grew together — learning the game, improving their skills, and slowly turning casual matches into a serious (but still very fun) competitive league team.

Over time, the Ball Busters became more than just a tennis group. They became a standing Monday night tradition. Kids go to bed, wives get a night off duty, and the guys head to the courts — usually with a speaker, a playlist, and plenty of energy.

“We’re competitive, but it’s also very social,” they said. “We didn’t win much that first year, but once we started winning, that competitive edge really came out.” That mix of competition and camaraderie has defined the team ever since. What makes them unique isn’t just how they play — it’s how they’ve grown together. Over the years, the group has traveled to multiple state tournaments and even a regional tournament, turning weekend competitions into what feels more like annual guys’ trips than just matches.

Today, the Ball Busters compete as one of the only true neighborhood-based teams in the Upstate, facing clubs like Greenville Country Club, The Cardinal, Kroc Center, Brookstone, and Holly Tree. Despite often competing against programs with structured clinics and formal training sessions, the Ball Busters have built their success on consistency, chemistry, and pure neighborhood grit.

That effort has paid off. The team has now captured the league title three consecutive years in the 40+ division — a milestone they credit to dedication and steady improvement rather than any single standout player.

But ask anyone on the team about the highlight of their journey, and one moment stands above the rest.

In 2025, the Ball Busters captured a state championship in dramatic fashion. The final match came down to five lines — one singles and four doubles — with everything on the line. The team entered the weekend short-handed, with no subs available, and suffered an early setback when teammate Kenny Hall went down with a high ankle sprain. Most players would have been sidelined. Kenny, however, somehow managed to stay on court through all four remaining matches, fighting through the pain as the stakes rose.

In the final showdown, the team didn’t just win — they swept all five lines. “We were the last match of the day in Florence,” they recalled. “There was a big crowd watching, and everyone knew what was at stake. When we won every line, it was just pure celebration right there on the courts. That was a real team win.” It remains the defining moment of the group’s history — not just because of the title, but because of the way it happened: resilience, depth, and everyone stepping up when it mattered most.

Of course, no Ball Busters story is complete without mentioning their traditions. There’s the now-famous “steak and donut dinner” that makes an appearance at states each year — a uniquely questionable but beloved team ritual featuring perfectly seasoned steaks topped (yes, topped) with donuts. Then there are the personalities that make Monday nights what they are. The group jokes that if you let Tyler Foss keep score, you might want to double-check it. Kenny’s music selections are best described as “unexpected.” Patrick Hill has a reputation for needing occasional reminders to pick his racket back up mid-point. And Pete Murray has earned the unofficial title of “marathon man,” frequently turning matches into three-hour battles that no one else asked for — but everyone ends up watching.

A few of those moments even made it into an informal team roast last year, complete with video evidence that may or may not ever see the light of day.

Beyond the jokes and competition, the team says the real value has been the friendships that formed along the way.

“Tennis brought us together, but it didn’t stop there,” they said. “We’ve become close friends on and off the court. We push each other to get better, and that carries into everything else.” That sense of community extends well beyond their own group. Spaulding Farm tennis has become a hub for connection — not just for this team, but for women’s leagues, youth clinics, and future social events the group hopes to expand. Their message to neighbors is simple: come out on Monday night. “Bring a racket — we’ve got extras if you don’t have one. You don’t need to be good. A lot of people started with zero experience. You just show up.”

The Ball Busters aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Their goals are straightforward: keep winning in the Upstate league, return to regionals, and eventually make a run at nationals again.

But even more than that, they’re focused on continuing what started it all — showing up every Monday night, competing hard, and enjoying the game together.

Because at Spaulding Farm, it’s never just tennis.

It’s neighbors. It’s friendship. And on Monday nights — it’s the Ball Busters.