Practice makes perfect for Providence ace Katie Porter

ALL-OBSERVER TENNIS

By Jay Edwards
Correspondent

Posted: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Katie Porter loves to play tennis.

If she isn't doing homework or in the classroom, where she boasts over a 4.0 grade point average, she is probably on a tennis court.

The Providence senior and Charlotte Observer Player of the Year not only stars for the Panthers, but has played in 26 USTA regional and national events in the past year.

Porter, ranked No. 4 in the state, is also No. 35 in the southeast region and No. 154 in the country by tennisrecruitingnetwork.com.

Porter not only had an undefeated regular season, but also won the Southwestern 4A individual title and 4A West Regional individual title, leading her Providence team to its first conference title in six years.

Porter would also have had a shot at the 4A state singles title, but had a 103-degree temperature the day of the event and was forced to drop out.

Cuthbertson's Kalli Karas, who won the 2A singles' state title after winning the 2A doubles title in 2009 and 2010 with her older sister, McKenna, was also strongly considered for player of the year honors.

Ryan Harper and his Providence Day girls' tennis team continued their domination of the state of NCISAA tennis, winning their third consecutive 3A championship and fifth title in his six years as head coach.

Harper led the Chargers to a 20-2 record this season, giving them a 65-4 mark over the last three seasons (21-0 in 2010; 24-2 in 2009).

Salisbury tennis coach Chris Myers, who also led his Hornets team to a fourth-straight 2A state title, their fifth in the last six seasons, and Statesville Christian tennis coach Tim Burgiss, who led his Lions to their eighth-straight NCISAA 1A state title, were also strongly considered for Coach of the Year honors.

All-Observer, All-Mecklenburg Player of the Year: Katie Porter, Providence

Observer, All-Mecklenburg Coach of the Year: Ryan Harper, Providence Day

All-Region player of the year: Kalli Karas, Cuthbertson

All-Region coach of the year: Chris Myers, Salisbury

All-Observer Girls Tennis Team

First Team

Singles

Katie Porter, Providence...senior SW4A and 4A West Regional champion, also No. 4 in state rankings.

Kalli Karas, Cuthbertson...two-time defending 2A doubles state champion (2009, 2010), won in singles this year as a senior.

Jasmine Gabriel, Weddington...sophomore following in the talented footsteps of her older sister, Gabby, advanced to 3A state singles semifinals (individual), earning all-state honors.

Grace Deering, Charlotte Catholic...sophomore ascended to the No. 1 spot for the state runner-up Cougars, earning all-state honors with a 3A state singles semifinals berth.

Katelyn Storey, Salisbury...2A state singles' runner-up for the second year in a row.

Samantha Light, Providence Day...junior (transfer from New Jersey) earned all-state honors as Chargers No. 1 player.

Emily Carpenter, Myers Park...Mustangs No. 1 player led team to 4A dual state semifinals.

Doubles

Nikki Segur/Kayla Revelle, Statesville Christian...both players won a doubles and singles state title while leading the Lions to their 8th straight state championship.

Joy Loeblein/Erika Nelson, Salisbury...dynamic duo was individual doubles state champion while leading Hornets to a fourth straight 2A state title.

Heidi Swope/Casey Rowe, Weddington...all-state Warrior duo lost in the 3A state finals.

Sallie Kate Mayerhoffer/Alexandra Drye, Salisbury...another talented Hornet duo lost in the state doubles semifinals.

Second Team

Singles

Briana Bodner, Hough

Nicole Spencer, Olympic

Alexandra Lee, Providence Day,

Hilary Lutz, Shelby

Hannah Petersen, Watauga

Hollie Champion, Butler

Nikki Segur, Statesville Christian.