Local tennis player courts success

Kate Carnahan By all accounts, Kate Carnahan is a natural-born winner. The Hidden Hills teen, a senior at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills, is academically gifted, funloving, and just happens to be a nationally ranked tennis player.

In the division for 16-yearold players, Carnahan is ranked No. 127 nationally, and No. 27 for Southern California. She now plays in the division for 18year-olds.

“Kate’s natural strokes at an early age indicated her future in the sport,” said her father, Tom Carnahan. “Not only does she love the game, but the game loves her.”

Carnahan demonstrated natural athletic ability at an early age. She started playing tennis at five years old and has been a tough contender ever since. Today, Carnahan practices her game about two hours per day.

Kate has qualified and played in the United States Tennis Association’s national tournaments in several divisions, including the 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s, said her mother, Nancy.

During the summer, Carnahan played her first Intercollegiate Tennis Association game at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, and won the doubles game in the finals.

“The Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club have been her second home since she was born,” said Nancy Carnahan.

Carnahan has helped her team in Southern California win “team zonals” in Florida, where qualified players from throughout the nation compete in teams of five players.

“I like tennis because it’s an individual sport, so you win for yourself and lose for yourself,” said Carnahan. “I don’t have to depend on other people.”

Carnahan has garnered many honors for her prowess in tennis. She won the Southern California Tennis Association’s Sportsmanship Award, and was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) at her high school, where she has played either the number one or number two position on her team for all four years.

She also won doubles in the consolation round at a USTA national tournament, held in Atlanta, Georgia, and was a doubles finalist in a Southern California designated tournament—the J.P. Yamasaki.

While she loves the game and hopes to play tennis in college, Carnahan doesn’t plan on pursuing tennis professionally. Equally gifted academically, the youth is an honor student who was named the Scholar Athlete at Chaminade and is an accomplished artist. She is a member of the National Honors Society and is an active student council member, holding numerous leadership positions, from treasurer and newsletter reporter to historian council representative. She plans on attending an east coast college, where she will study psychology.

Carnahan’s mother is as proud of her daughter’s charitable concerns as she is of her commitment to tennis and academics. She is a member of the National Charity League, and has organized numerous community service opportunities for her peers at Chaminade. She also volunteered at Guide Dogs of America, the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, the Organization for the Needs of the Elderly, and the West Valley Food Pantry.

“Kate is more personable and fun-loving than any great forehand she’s ever hit,” said Kirstin Kastor, a family friend.

When she can find the time, Carnahan enjoys snowboarding, skiing, basketball and soccer.