The 2024 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration was held on December 8, 2024 at the Norris Conference Center in Austin, TX.
The Sportsmanship Award
This award honors a person who exemplifies good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit and fair play on and off the court.
Pro of the Year
These awards are given to a male and female USPTA/PTR tennis professional for outstanding teaching abilities at a professional level in building stronger tennis players at all levels of skill. To qualify, an individual must be a resident of the Capital area. He/she may be a teacher on the staff of an educational institution, a staff member of a city recreation department, a teaching pro, or in some comparable employment. He/she should work cooperatively with CATA to promote, grow and develop tennis in the Capital Area.
Player of the Year
These awards are given to a male and female tennis player at the OPEN, SENIOR, and RISING STAR levels, for outstanding play.
OPEN: Recipients aged 19-54 who are highly ranked, statewide or nationally, in their skill or age division.
SENIOR: Recipients aged 55+ who are actively engaged in USTA leagues and/or tournaments.
Partner/Sponsor of the Year
This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and given to a business or organization which has partnered with CATA by sponsoring or conducting events and/or programs that contribute to the growth and development of tennis in the Capital Area.
Captain of the Year
This award is given to captains who exemplify outstanding leadership through their contributions as the captain of a league team. These individuals are responsible, respectful of others, knowledgeable about and followers of league rules, good communicators with their team and with CATA, and promoters of fair play for the betterment and furtherance of an enjoyable league play experience.
Family of the Year
This award is given to a family who resides in the Capital Area and whose members have made valuable contributions to the growth and development of tennis. The family represents the development and promotion of tennis on and off the court on a local, state or national level. The recipient of this award is then nominated for the USTA Texas Section Family of the Year Award.
Volunteer of the Year
This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and is given to an individual or individuals who have made valuable contributions to CATA through volunteer work during the year in which the award is given.
CATA Inspirational Award
This award is given to an individual or individuals who inspires the desire of tennis in others.
CATA Dedication to Tennis Award
This award is given to an individual or individuals who contribute to the success of tennis through promotion of tournaments, league play, or events that encourage tennis in the CATA footprint.
Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award
This award is selected by the CATA Awards Committee and given to the outstanding individual who is widely known to devote numerous voluntary hours, time and energy to the growth of tennis at all levels and is recognized by their tennis community for their exceptional and selfless dedication and devotion to tennis.
2024 Award Winners
| 2024 Awards | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Savannah Bryson |
| Sportsmanship Award | Mark “Mojo” Canales |
| Volunteer of the Year | Brad Wisdom |
| Captain of the Year | Rick Fowler |
| Captain of the Year | Lisa Tucker |
| Rising Star Captain | Adeena Reitberger |
| Player of the Year | Scott Sevin |
| Player of the Year | Natalie Duvall |
| Senior Player of the Year | JP Jordan |
| Senior Player of the Year | Marty James |
| Sponsor of the Year | Roger Beasley Mazda |
| Pro of the Year | Brad Harris |
| Pro of the Year | Laura Hudson |
| Family of the Year | The Rajurkar Family |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Grant Chambers |
2023 Award Winners
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Matthew Reininger |
| Sportsmanship Award | Amy Mulvihill |
| Volunteer of the Year | Roger Vallejo |
| Captain of the Year | Tony Kayser |
| Captain of the Year | Vi Nanthaveth |
| Player of the Year | Grant Chambers |
| Player of the Year | Erin Portman |
| Senior Player of the Year | John Garza |
| Senior Player of the Year | Kathleen McDonnold |
| Inspirational Player | Dan Weger |
| Organization of the Year | Austin Country Club |
| Pro of the Year | Gary Scanlon |
| Pro of the Year | Ashley Weinhold |
| Family of the Year | The Willman Family |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Brian Lusson |
2022 Award Winners
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Jessie Rupert |
| Pro of the Year | Matt Bong |
| Pro of the Year | Meredith Geiger-Walton |
| Player of the Year | Alina Mihailescu |
| Player of the Year | Julie Thu |
| Organization of the Year | Courtyard Tennis Club |
| Volunteer of the Year | Gina Whittington |
| Captain of the Year | Jamie Allen |
| Captain of the Year | Melanie Brent |
| Family of the Year | The Wasserman Family |
| Family Players of the Year | Ellen Dick and Alex Hirt |
| CATA’s 2022 Inspirational Award | Dustin Strelsky |
| 2022 Service Award | Phil King |
| Senior Player of the Year | Kimm Ketelson |
| Senior Player of the Year | Julie Cass |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Fernando Velasco |
Past Award Winners
2021
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Ashley Thomas |
| Volunteer of the Year | Megan Poore |
| Captain of the Year | Corey Kruseman |
| Captain of the Year | Judy Sotelo |
| Player of the Year | Samanvoy Panati |
| Player of the Year | Kendra Dorty |
| Senior Player of the Year | Anthony Tatu |
| Senior Player of the Year | Jean Warren |
| Inspirational Coach | Neil Adams |
| Organization of the Year | Aces 4 Austin |
| Pro of the Year | Steve Kirk |
| Family of the Year | The Tran Family |
| Service to CATA | Mike Henry |
| Carol Welder Award | Jessica McMillen |
2020
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Jeannette Trihn |
| Volunteer of the Year | Michelle Graham |
| Captain of the Year | Robert James |
| Captain of the Year | Sharon Clisham |
| Player of the Year | Angela Atkinson |
| Player of the Year | Hoanh Le |
| Inspirational Coach | Dick Baughn |
| Organization of the Year | Lost Creek Country Club |
| Pro of the Year | Brent Krivokapich |
| Family of the Year | Kweler Family |
| Service to CATA | Richard Evans |
| Carol Welder Award | Anthony Horsley |
2019
| CATEGORY | WINNER |
| Sportsmanship Award | Pete Polkinghorn |
| Pro of the Year | Alejandro Ahuja |
| Male Player of the Year | Kalim Sawires |
| Male Senior Player of the Year | Larry Eichenbaum & Steve Thurber |
| Female Player of the Year | Darya Karoukina |
| Female Senior Player of the Year | Kristi Guszak |
| Organization of the Year | Austin Tennis Center |
| Volunteer of the Year | Jenny Isenberg |
| Female Captain of the Year | Laney Bevill |
| Male Captain of the Year | Greg Rychlik |
| Family of the Year | The Creel Family |
| CATA’s 2019 Inspirational Award | Genie Kilpatrick |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Jack Newman & Brian Notis |
| 2019 Service Award | John Weber |
2018
| CATEGORY | WINNER | PRESENTED by: |
| Male Sportsmanship Award | Tony Kayser | Randall Pugh |
| Female Sportsmanship Award | Donna Duffy | Teammates Sandy Arico, Jan Pierpoint & Janie Honeycutt |
| Male Pro of the Year | Dave Tibbetts | Brian Lusson |
| Female Pro of the Year | Kendall Brooks | Jack Newman |
| Male Open Player of the Year | Colin Cohen | Luis Fernandez |
| Male Senior Player of the Year | Paul Smith | Fernando Velasco |
| Female Open Player of the Year | Stacy Marks | Amy McCampbell |
| Female Senior Player of the Year | Janet Rice | Ashli Wernli |
| Partner of the Year | Westlake High School | Michael MacVay |
| Volunteer of the Year | Kynna Sullivan | Elizabeth Hanson Smith |
| Female Facility Employee of the Year | Rosemary Kinman | Dennis McWilliams |
| Male Facility Employee of the Year | Samuel Vasquez | Anders Ericksson |
| Female Captain of the Year | Suzy Stege | Alecia Ragan |
| Male Captain of the Year | Leon Kincy | Juan DeKruyff |
| Family of the Year | The Cockrell Family | Doug Davis |
| CATA’s 2018 Inspirational Award | Dr. Jack Jacobson | Gene Waters |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Susan Cippele | Carol Welder |
2017
| CATEGORY | WINNER | PRESENTED by: |
| Partner of the Year | River Place Country Club | Jessica McMillen |
| Volunteer of the Year | Polly McWilliams | Linda Wetzel & Chad Loup |
| CATA’s 2017 Inspirational Award | Gayle Kirkpatrick | Cathy Romano |
| Female Captain of the Year | Cathy Smith | Teammates Sheri Gallo, Nancy Grimes, & Sue Webb |
| Male Captain of the Year | Ed Palaez | Ion Tesu |
| Sportsmanship Award | Sally Graham | Rosie Garza for Alecia Ragan |
| Rising Star Player of the Year | Maria Orrick | Adria Sheth |
| Female Player of the Year | Dianne Lee | Rosie Garza |
| Male Player of the Year | Carl Morris | Jeff Rausch |
| Senior Player of the Year | Brenda Latta | Jan Pierpoint |
| Pro of the Year | Heiki Moorlat | Ville Jennsen |
| Family of the Year | The Kerrigan Family | Dennis McWilliams |
| Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award | Dennis McWilliams | Carol Welder |
| Dedication to Tennis | Gary Ellison (posthumous) | Jeff Bennett |
2016
2016 Award Winners
Partner of the Year: UT Whitaker
Presented by Christine Watson
Senior Female Player of the Year: Cathy Andrus
Presented by Sharon Coudert
Senior Male Player of the Year: Lyn Loeffler
Presented by Hiep Chung
Rising Star Player of the Year: Shana Nardecchia
Presented by Tosha Smith
Female Player of the Year: Amy McCampbell
Presented by
Male Player of the Year: Andrew Swanson
Presented by Hiep Chung
Female Captain of the Year: Jeanette Trinh
Male Captain of the Year: Scott Berens
Presented by Mike MacVay
Sportsmanship Award: Janie Honeycutt
Presented by Christine Watson
Service to Tennis Award: Chad Loup
Presented by Jessica McMillen
Volunteer of the Year: Brenda Hoffman
Presented by Mardy Ayers and Charlotte Herzele
CATA’s 2016 Inspirational Award: Francisca Mardones
Presented by Fernando Velasco
Female Pro of the Year: Brenda Niemeyer
Presented by Christine Watson
Male Pro of the Year: Nick Zinsmeister
Presented by Chad Loup
Family of the Year: Grant & Melissa Chambers
Presented by Michael MacVay
Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award: Sarah Pernell
Presented by Carol Welder
2015
Sportsmanship Award – Rosie Smith
Pro of the Year – Julie Cass
Female Player of the Year – Tosha Smith
Male Player of the Year – Anthony Horsley
Senior Female Player of the Year – Susan Dawson
Senior Male Player of the Year – Doug Kern
Family of the Year – Ashley and Matt Wernli
Captain of the Year – Jan Pierpoint
Partner of the Year – Rippner Tennis
Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer Raybuck
CATA’s 2015 Inspirational Award – Sandy Arico
Service to Tennis Award – Ray Delk
CATA’s Right Hand Man – Roger Mills
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award – Roger Vallejo
2014
Female Sportsmanship Award – Heidi Bloch
Male Sportsmanship Award – Clark Peterson
Pro of the Year – Beverly Bowes-Hackney
Female Player of the Year – Melanie Logan
Male Player of the Year – Tim Klitch
Senior Female Player of the Year – Susan Thurber
Senior Male Player of the Year – Tony Dawson
Captain of the Year – Cheryl Grayden
Partner of the Year – Austin Aces
Volunteer of the Year – Roger Mills
CATA’s Inspiration to Tennis – Judy Wenzlaff
CATA’s Tennis Legend of the Year – Fernando Velasco
Growing the Game Award – Van Chung Richter
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award – Ken McAllister
2013
Sportsmanship Award – Amy Young
Pro of the Year – Dan Weger of Balcones CC
Female Player of the Year – Wendy Graham
Male Player of the Year – Rick Garza
Senior Female Player of the Year – Lisa Rux
Senior Male Player of the Year – Luke LeBas
Captain of the Year – Polly McWilliams
Partner of the Year – Courtyard Tennis and Swim Club
Volunteer of the Year – Nancy Nouzovsky
Family of the Year – Amy, Greg, Ryan and Garrett Gold
CATA’s 2013 Legend Award – Julie Cass
Growing the Game Award – Andy Swortfiguer and Karen Brooks-Swortfiguer
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award – Ray Delk
2012
Sportsmanship Award – Molly Ledbetter
Pro of the Year – Dennis Ralston
Female Player of the Year – Gay Pollock
Male Player of the Year – Hiep Chung
Captain of the Year – Jennifer Jorgenson
Partner of the Year – Lost Creek Country Club
Volunteer of the Year – Lucile Puett
Family of the Year – The McMillen Family
Heart of Texas Award – Sally Graham
The CATA 2012 Inspirational Award – Mary Nelson
2011
Sportsmanship Award – Lynda Valseca
Pro of the Year – Jory Ereckson
Female Player of the Year – Lisa Tanner
Male Player of the Year – Juan Dekruyff
Senior Player of the Year – Dell Campbell
Captain of the Year – Nancy Nitardy
Partner of the Year – Austin Sports & Recreation
Volunteers of the Year – Roger Mills and Pat Mills
Family of the Year – The Garza Family
Heart of Texas Award – Sheryl Behne
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award – Brian Beaulieu
2010
Sportsmanship Award – Suzy Stege
Pro of the Year – Anders Erikkson
Female Player of the Year – Sarah Rooney
Male Player of the Year – Michael Friedman
Partner of the Year – Pok-e-Jo’s BBQ
Captain of the Year – Sydney Stadler
Senior Female Player of the Year – Sheryl Behne
Team of the Year – 2010 CATA Gran Prix Champions
Community Service Award – Kevin Clark
Volunteer of the Year – Grant Chambers
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis Award – Tom Webber
2009
Sportsmanship Award – Sue Hatch
Pro of the Year – Lincoln Ward
Female Player of the Year – Michelle Ash
Male Player of the Year – Peter Markes
Partner of the Year – Clif Bar
Captain of the Year – John Bacon
Family of the Year – The Hagar Family
2008
Sportsmanship Award – Barbara K. Smith
Captain of the Year – Lewis de la Rosa
Male Player of the Year – Doug Langford
Female Player of the Year – Kate Kyle
Senior Male Player of the Year – Fernando Velasco
Senior Female Player of the Year – Frances Ryan
Pro of the Year – Jory Ereckson
Partner of the Year – “Yours for Keeps” Robert and Caroline Willingham
The Carol Welder Contribution to Tennis – Carol Welder
Volunteer of the Year – Charlotte Herzele
Family of the Year – The REED Family
Service to Tennis Award – James Humphrey
Team of the Year – Carol Rosa’s Super Sr. National Championship Team
Most Inspirational Player Award – MC Hyink and Sally Graham
2007
Sportsmanship Award – Mary Larsh
Captain of the Year – Mike Davis
Male Player of the Year – Leonard Smith
Female Player of the Year – Elizabeth Davis
Senior Male Player of the Year – Marvin Henderson Sr.
Senior Female Player of the Year – Carol Cofer
Pro of the Year – Brian Notis
Partner of the Year – The Courtyard Tennis Club
Contribution to Tennis – Tommie Pernell III
2006
Sportsmanship Award – Belva Courts
Captain of the Year – Annette Corbin and Matthew Grant
Volunteer of the Year – Charlotte Herzele
Male Player of the Year – Del Campbell
Female Player of the Year – Julie Cass and Michelle King
Pro of the Year – Andy Swortfiguer
Partner of the Year – Austin Parks and Recreation
Service to Tennis – John Kitchens
Contribution to Tennis – Maggie and Ruben Yanez
2005
Sportsmanship Award – Ted Roan
Captain of the Year -Anthony Tatu
Volunteer of the Year – Tony Ionescu
Community Service – Mike Haynes
Male Player of the Year – Rick Gabel
Female Player of the Year – Monica Melvin
Family of the Year – The Pernells
USTA Team of the Year – The Incredibles
Pro of the Year – Michelle King
Partner of the Year – tennis 360
Organization of the Year – Austin Women’s Tennis Association
Contribution to Tennis – Tim Stallard
2004
Sportsmanship Award – Alan Williams
Captain of the Year – Linda Wetzel
Volunteer of the Year – Russell Harding and Fred Viehweg
Community Service – Peggy Tice and Marsha Pearson
Male Player of the Year – Granger Huntress
Female Player of the Year – Tina Whiteman
Family of the Year – Rick, Barbara, Adrian, and Michael Garza
USTA Team of the Year – Lakeway 2.5 Ladies
Pro of the Year – Steve Kirk
Partner of the Year – tennis 360
Organization of the Year – Austin Tennis Club
Contribution to Tennis – Teresa Roberson
2003
Sportsmanship Award – Holly Chacona
Captain of the Year – Jay Svinicki and Chuck Cazzola
Volunteer of the Year – Roger Mills
Male Player of the Year – David Harrison
Female Player of the Year – Julie Cass
Family of the Year – Jim and Linda Dee
Pro of the Year – Anders Eriksson
Partner of the Year – Texas Section – USTA
Service to Tennis – Sheryl Behne
2002
Sportsmanship Award – Augie Pabon
Captain of the Year – Teresa Roberson
Volunteer of the Year – Misti Edwards
Male Player of the Year – Steve Creel
Female Player of the Year – Michelle Ash
Family of the Year – Bill, Loree, Morgan, Mackenzie, and Zachary Pitts
Pro of the Year – Rosie Garza
Partner of the Year – Austin Tennis at the Polo Club
Contribution to Tennis – Barbara Holms
2001
Captain of the Year – Mary Darby
Volunteer of the Year – Rebecca Thorburn
Community Service – Lonnie Lyman
Doubles Team of the Year – Millie Dalrymple and Joyce Rabensburg
Pro of the Year – Ville Jansson
Organization of the Year – St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy
Contribution to Tennis – Sarah Pernell
2000
Sportsmanship Award – Amy Rinderknecht
Volunteer of the Year – Rebecca Mason
(Male) Player of the Year – Anders Eriksson
(Female) Player of the Year – Tina Maldonado
Family of the Year – Bob, Judy, Matt, Shawn, Jason, and Gregory Haugen
Organization of the Year – Courtyard Tennis and Swim Club
Contribution to Tennis – Gary Heinberg
1999
Sportsmanship Award – Jim Anderson
Captain of the Year – Leon Kincy
Volunteer of the Year – Marvin Scott
Player of the Year – Julie Cass
Senior Player of the Year – Frances Waggoner
Organization of the Year – Lost Creek Country Club
Contribution to Tennis – Robert and Caroline Wllingham
1998
Sportsmanship Award – MC Hyink and Miles Wilson
Volunteer of the Year – Rudy Garcia
Player of the Year – Jon Stitt
Family of the Year – Rick, Susan, Emily, and Kate Cippele
CAPTA/CATA Pro of the Year – Kevin Clark
Contribution to Tennis – Jan Phillips
1997
Sportsmanship Award – Ed Vaughn
Volunteer of the Year – Kim Edwards
Player of the Year – Chris Scheig and David Calhoun
Club of the Year – Lost Creek Country Club
Contribution to Tennis – Ernie and Linda Schmidt
1996
Volunteer of the Year – Augie Pabon
Player of the Year – Joel Trammell
Family of the Year – Ernie, Bina, Ernie Jr., and Kelsea Fontes
CAPTA/CATA Pro of the Year – Terry Osborne
Corporate Sponsor of the Year – Merrill Lynch
Contribution to Tennis – Chuck and Veda Cazzola
1995
Sportsmanship Award – Jonas Luudblad
Volunteer of the Year – Lewis de la Rosa
Player of the Year – MC Hyink
Family of the Year – Marv, Val, Josh, and Monica Shepherd
Collegiate Player of the Year – Trey Phillips
Junior Player of the Year – Elizabeth Schmidt
Inspirational Player of the Year – Stoke Holmes
1994
Volunteer of the Year – Jeff Moore, Bina and Ernie Fontes, Jim Noblet, Cydney Wwhner, Westwood Country Club, Tom Webber, Lincoln Ward, Percy Henry, and Jan Phillips
CATA Service Award – Jay Svinicki and Alam Pilgrim
1993
Volunteer of the Year – Betsy Watson
Player of the Year – Elaine Frisbie
CAPTA/CATA Pro of the Year – Gary Scanlon
Special Service Award – Lonnie Lyman
Teacher of the Year – Dave Woods
Junior Player of the Year – Julie Scott
President’s Award – Carol Welder
Contribution to Tennis – Bob Haugen
1992
Volunteer of the Year – Ralph Lewis
Player of the Year – Theo Mandel and Elizabeth Moreno
Family of the Year – Armand, Karen, Jenifer, and John Gonsoulin
CAPTA/CATA Pro of the Year – Mike Carter
Junior Player of the Year – John Roddick
Inspirational Player of the Year – Carol Watts
Special Service Award – Ann Caswell Allison, Harold Green, Robin Doty
Contribution to Tennis – Sheryl Behne
1991
Volunteer of the Year – Mundy Hebert
Player of the Year – Kim Ketelsen
Junior Player of the Year – Callie Creighton
Inspirational Player of the Year – Michael Hornsby
CATA Service Award – Marilla Svinicki
Contribution to Tennis – Mary Ann Zimmerman
1990
Volunteer of the Year – Bill Thomison
Player of the Year – Millie Dalrymple and Stephen Scott
Junior Player of the Year – Ashley Johnson
CATA Service Award – Ben Ball, Phil Moss, Doug Lawson
Contribution to Tennis – Ken McAllister
1989
Player of the Year – Marvin Henderson, Sr.
Junior Player of the Year – Anne Court and Trey Phillips
Coach of the Year – Tim Stallard
CATA Service Award – Ruben Yanez and Mikey Herndon
Contribution to Tennis – Les Paul
1988
Sportsmanship Award – Ann Brodnax
Volunteer of the Year – Jay and Marilla Svinicki
Player of the Year – Sheryl Behne
Junior Player of the Year – Ashley Johnson
Family of the Year – The Katzberg Family
Coach of the Year – Billy Freer
Contribution to Tennis – Ben Ball
1987
Volunteer of the Year – Terrel Allen
Player of the Year – Bill Sandlin
Junior Player of the Year – Bruce Ybarra
Inspirational Player of the Year – Phil Moss
Coach of the Year – Steve Warren
Special Recognition – Peta and Dorothy Descavo, Lonnie Lyman
Contribution to Tennis – Carol Welder
1986
Sportsmanship Award – Doug Lawson
Volunteer of the Year – Sue Mason
Player of the Year – Diane Matzner
Junior Player of the Year – Laura Hudson
Coach of the Year – Albert Ochoa
Contribution to Tennis – Mikey Herndon, Bill Sandlin, Carol Welder