Kate, also known as Ekaterina, grew up in Novorossiysk, Russia, a port city on the Black Sea coast. She always loved tennis, and played competitively while in middle and high school. Kate graduated from a Linguistic University as a foreign language teacher. She first came to the US as a “work and travel” student in 2005. She permanently moved to the OBX, NC in 2006 when she married her husband, Ben.

Kate started working as a part time assistant at the Pine Island Racquet and Fitness Center in August 2007. This has become her dream job and her second home. Working with Rick Ostlund, who was a Tennis Director for more than 20 years, has been very rewarding and valuable learning experience.

Kate became certified with the PTR Professional Tennis Registry in 2010. She later added USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) Elite Professional certification, PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) and USRSA (The United States Racquet Stringers Association) Master Racquet Technician Certifications, as well as USTA Cardio Tennis Trained Instructor.

Kate believes that tennis is a sport for life and loves to share her passion for the sport with others. She enjoys working with all ages, teaching strokes, strategy, or just hitting. It is very rewarding to see players improve their game. Tennis helps make new friends and bring people together. It keeps you healthy, it’s great fun and you can play for life.

In her spare time Kate enjoys surf paddle boarding, knitting, gardening, playing tennis and pickleball doubles.