Upcoming Event: Women's Tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational on September 12, 2025
Women's Tennis
at Kitty Harrison Invitational
Question & Answer With Senior Katie Blaszak
9/17/2004 1:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 17, 2004
Katie Blaszak is a senior from Fairfax, Va. Last season, Blaszak missed most of the season with a shoulder injury before returning during the last week of the regular season. Originally, she transferred from Vanderbilt after her freshman year.
GoDuke.com: How was your summer and what did you do?
Katie Blaszak: It was good, I was here for about a month working at the camp and doing a bit of training. It's easier to train here because there are coaches around. I also played in a few tournaments at the beginning of the summer.
GoDuke.com: After struggling with injuries since you arrived at Duke, how do you feel now?
Katie Blaszak: I am healthier than I have been in a long time, I still have days when I feel a bit sore, but I am feeling stronger and I hope I can maintain this level.
GoDuke.com: How hard was it last year watching most of the season from outside the tennis court? Did you learn anything from watching?
Katie Blaszak: It was really hard, but one of the things that you get is a different respect for the game, and you have to make a decision; either you really love it, or it was just a facet of your childhood that you are done with, and I decided that I was not done. It gives me renewed appreciation for the sport, and by watching others play and seeing the mistakes they made taught me ways to improve my own game.
GoDuke.com: The 2004-05 Duke team returns everyone except for Amanda Johnson and web comes three talented newcomers. What are your expectations for this team?
Katie Blaszak: This team will be a lot more different than last year as we have a lot more experience, a lot of enthusiastic people. Youth and injuries made things difficult last year, but now with everyone available there is a lot more competition for places within the team, which I think is good as it will force people to play better and improve the team as a whole. If we maintain that attitude, we could go really far this year.
GoDuke.com: Do you have any individual goals as a senior?
Katie Blaszak: Staying healthy and making it through a full NCAA year, I would also like to do well individually this fall as I have never played a full fall season. Performing well in doubles also is something that I have never done.
GoDuke.com: You going to try to take more of a leadership role being a senior?
Katie Blaszak: I think I will lead mostly by example-- working hard, making sure I'm punctual and respecting the coaches. We have nine other responsible girls on the team and the best thing I can do is remind them of that.
GoDuke.com: What is it like having Ansley Cargill back with the team as assistant coach?
Katie Blaszak: I was excited when I heard she was coming back-- for one thing she is a lefty and so am I, meaning she can help me with aspects of my game; something that from a lefty female perspective is invaluable. Her attitude is great and she is really enthusiastic, she puts a different perspective on things - we are out here and we have to make the most of it because it won't last forever.
GoDuke.com: What is it like on road trips with Duke women's tennis?
Katie Blaszak: Road trips are fun. I have come to the point where I look forward to spending time with the girls, especially outside campus when it's just us. We travel well, share stories and Jamie takes care of us. Sometimes it can be hard and tiring with school but I think it builds your support network.
GoDuke.com: Is there a certain road trip you look forward to taking every year? Why?
Katie Blaszak: Traditionally the NCAA tournament is always fun, my sophomore year at the National Team Indoors was a lot of fun and you have to miss a lot of school for it, although we didn't go last year. I assume we will be going this year and I am really excited for that.
GoDuke.com: Is there a team comedian or jokester?
Katie Blaszak: Different people have their moments, Tory has hers definitely; my sarcasm is probably different from being a jokester.
GoDuke.com: What is head coach Jamie Ashworth like off the tennis court?
Katie Blaszak: Jamie has a sense of humor, which most people don't realize he has. He is very interested in our lives outside of tennis; in a good way not too nosey, rather just curious. He realizes that there is more to his players than just tennis, he is also a lot more relaxed than people realize.
GoDuke.com: Which courts do you like playing on better--the Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center or Ambler Tennis Stadium?
Katie Blaszak: I am better indoors but I like the atmosphere at Ambler better.
GoDuke.com: If you could play another sport at Duke, what would it be? Why?
Katie Blaszak: Soccer, which I played until I was 13, I really enjoyed it and I was pretty good at it. Ultimately due to the vast distances that I had to travel to play, my mom made me choose which sport I wanted to focus on, and I chose tennis. Choosing an individual sport was the right thing for me to do, but even after nine years I still miss the team feeling of soccer.
GoDuke.com: What are you plans for after graduation?
Katie Blaszak: I will probably teach independent school for a year, and then decide whether or not I like the classroom, if I do I will go back to graduate school to study history. However, if I decide that teaching isn't for me, then I will go to law school or who knows I might end up coaching.
Favorites:
Type of racket: The Shark (used by Maria Sharapova) Tennis court to play on: Franklin Racket Club in Michigan Food: Chocolate cake Book: `Into Thin Air' by John Krakauer TV Show: The Apprentice Movie: When Harry met Sally Actor/Actress: Reece Weatherspoon Professional team: Washington Redskins Professional athlete: Martina Hingis Place at Duke: Top level of the Perkins stacks or the Gardens Class at Duke: American Legal History with Professor Edward Balleisen
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