University of South Alabama Athletics

2009-10: Compiled 9-8 overall record, working primarily out of the No. 1 flight… Went 5-7 at No. 1 in dual matches and 1-1 at No. 2… Was slowed in the fall season due to injury and only competed in one event, the Fall Blue & Gray Classic, where she claimed the White Flight title with three straight-set wins… Defeated Lyn See Choo of Brenau 6-4, 6-4 to win the title… Picked up first win of spring season over Kozue Matsumoto of New Orleans 7-6 (7-0), 6-3… Closed campaign with wins in five of her last six matches, including run of four in a row… Rallied to defeat Kir Kemp of Georgia State 3-6, 6-4, (10-1) to cap win streak… Defeated Katrina Vucina of Western Kentucky 6-1, 6-0 in first round of Sun Belt Championships… Went 8-9 in doubles with four different partners… Teamed up with Chané Hines for 5-5 mark at No. 1 flight… Started season with 5-2 mark in doubles, including run to championship at Fall Blue & Gray Classic with Alina Volman… Won match at Sun Belt Championships with teammate Marie Boura at No. 1 flight over pairing from Western Kentucky.

2008-09: 17-7 overall record, 13-4 in dual matches… 8-2 at No. 3, 3-1 at No. 4 and 2-1 at No. 5… Won ‘B’ flight consolation bracket at Lady Rebel Classic in the fall, defeating three straight league opponents in straight sets to claim title… Played first six matches in spring at Nos. 4 and 5 but finished season at No. 3… Won 10 of 11 matches before falling in season-finale vs. No. 86 Mariana Muci of No. 37 FIU… Took back-to-back three-set matches vs. Troy and No. 47 Virginia Commonwealth and outlasted Joanna Dobrowolska of No. 50 Old Dominion, 5-7, 7-5, (11-9)… Paired with Erica Krisan in doubles and posted 16-5 overall record and 13-3 in dual matches… Reached semifinals of Lady Rebel ‘A’ flight doubles… Tallied seven-match winning streak, part of 13 victories in 15 outings… Placed at No. 2 flight in final 12 matches and had 9-2 record.

2007-08:  Recorded six wins in singles play in her first collegiate season, including five in dual match play...finished the season with a 17-6 doubles record, teaming with Michaela Babicova at the No. 2 spot.

Personal:  Full name is Katie Marie Welch… Born Oct. 23, 1989 in Mobile, Ala. … Daughter of Greg and Dianne Welch… Majoring in sport management… Did not attend a public high school, but was home schooled… Played in WTA Tournaments as an amateur and was listed in the world rankings… Has one older brother and two younger sisters… Two of her family members lettered at USA in tennis… Her mother Dianne was a three-year letterwinner for the Jags (1979-81), while her uncle Ron Eastburn was a four-year letterwinner (1972-76) for the men… Ron also served as a player/coach for South Alabama his senior season… Favorites – movie: “Twilight” series; book: “Go Ask Alice”; pro teams: New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Braves; athlete: Roger Federer; musical artist: Led Zeppelin; food: her mom’s chocolate chip cookies… Prematch rituals include, listening to music, yelling at teammates and dancing on the court she will play… Is part Cherokee Indian and has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Australia.