Katie Koontz, Class of 2008

A native Pennsylvanian, Katie took up tennis at the age of 35. But the late start hasn’t kept her from reaching the pinnacle of the sport in national competition.

She won her first national championship title (gold ball) in 1990. Since then, Katie has added an additional 20 gold balls, 18 silver balls (runner-up) and five bronze balls (3rd place) to her trophy collection.

In 2004, Katie and her doubles partner captured the elusive “Gold Slam”, winning all four USTA National Championships on different surfaces – indoor, clay, grass and hard court – in the same calendar year. They extended that streak to seven consecutive national titles, just one surface win shy of back-to-back Gold Slams.

Katie has represented the United States in numerous international competitions, captaining the US Kitty Godfree Cup Team (Women 65 and older) to a second place finish in 2004. She has also competed on the Alice Marble Cup Team for Women 60 and older.