Elizabeth Dunlap was a bright light, enchanting, and made everyone feel loved.

Traci Zeller was kind, warm and had exceptional style.

Both women adored their families and were proud, supportive moms of Providence Day students. Now, both will be honored with the first Charger Club Women’s Tennis Social on the Providence Day tennis courts from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 29.

The event will be 80s-themed and include food and drink. It will be held in memory of Traci and Elizabeth, who both have sons who play for the Chargers tennis squad. All proceeds will go to the Providence Day tennis program.

Elizabeth was 59 years old when she died of cancer in September 2021. Traci was 50 when she died unexpectedly in August 2024.

“These women were not only really important to their families but also to the PD community,” says Tyhler Lynch, the president of the Charger Booster Club. “To be able to raise money in their honor and for an athletics program that was important to them is really an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Keeping their memory alive

Davis Dunlap is a senior at Providence Day and has played varsity tennis for the Chargers since his freshman year.

His mom, Elizabeth, never got the chance to watch him play for Providence Day because she died in September of his freshman year. But she attended nearly all of his junior matches, and she loved to play the sport.

She won the South Carolina Combo Doubles Championship and coached Davis on one of his teams. The mother-son also played against one another, which husband Kevin says she “treasured” until Davis started winning.

“It means a lot as she was an incredible person,” Davis says of his mom, who also volunteered countless hours on campus, “and I am glad a part of her can be kept alive through this event.”

Traci and her son Henry, a senior who also plays for the varsity tennis team, have shared many tennis moments, including attending the U.S. Open together.

Husband Mike says she was a proud and supportive mom of the couple’s twin boys. Charlie’s specialty is theater, and the family has endowed a technical theater award that will be presented in 2026.

“It is a very nice gesture by the school,” Mike says of the tennis social. “We have separately contributed to the boys’ tennis program in Traci’s name for something physically permanent for the tennis program.”

"Amazing spirits of Elizabeth and Traci"

When the Charger Booster Club started brainstorming about hosting a tennis tournament or social event, members first went to Providence Day’s own tennis pros: Ryan Harper and Katherine Currier.

Tyhler also says the club wanted an event to attract the school community’s ladies. Tennis seemed like the perfect opportunity, she says. The Charger Booster Club has raised more than $2.1 million to support all of Providence Day’s TK-12 athletics.

“I love seeing the PD community come together to help our student-athletes and the PD athletics community,” Tyhler says. “Whether working together at concession stands, hosting fundraisers, or becoming a Super Charger, the PD community is always willing to jump in and support our students and coaches.”

The tennis social takes on special meaning, especially for Davis and Henry, who Coach Ryan Harper says will play important roles in trying to bring Providence Day its first state tennis title since 2013.

“Both moms loved tennis and were instrumental in getting their boys started in the game,” Coach Harper says. “In their own ways, I also know they were incredible women who supported other women in their own pursuits, if not those of other whole communities. Their peers will love rallying around the amazing spirits of Elizabeth and Traci in a fun atmosphere that will bring back fond memories for all.”

Kevin, who was married to Elizabeth for 36 years, agrees.

“She was her family’s leader, teacher, and coach,” Kevin says. “She was not loved by others…she was adored. One of her close friends said: ‘You are the sun…the light in every room you enter.’ No truer words have ever been spoken.”

To register, go to Women's Tennis Social - Providence Day School. The rain date is March 30.