In her tenure at Vassar College, Kathy Campbell has taken Vassar women's tennis to unprecedented heights and led the Brewers to repeat championships in Liberty League, New York State and Seven Sisters competition. Campbell's teams have been ranked in the top-15 among the 110 schools in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast region since 1988 and nationally ranked for over 20 years.
Upon the conclusion of her 41st season in 2019-20, Campbell's dual meet record stands at 556-231-1 for a .706 winning percentage.
Under Campbell's direction, the Brewers have qualified for the NCAA Division III team championship 10 times (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001,1991). Vassar has captured the Liberty League title from 2002-2010 and won the New York State title from 2002-2008 until team scoring was discontinued. In the annual Seven Sisters championship, VC has won titles the last four years (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015) and also in 2013 and 2010, from 2000-04 as well as 1997, 1995, 1991 and 1987.
While winning over 70 percent of their matches since 1985, the Brewers have a proud tradition of strong and positive team chemistry.
Campbell was named Liberty League Coach of the Year in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2001 and ITA Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2002 and 1990. She was named New York State Coach of the Year in the fall of 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Under Campbell's guidance, the Brewers have enjoyed individual success as well. Kate Christensen '18 won the ITA Northeast Regional Singles title in the fall of 2014, earning All-America honors while advancing to the ITA Small College Championships. Christensen became the first Brewer in school history to win a match at the Tournament, finishing fourth overall. She went on to be named the Liberty League Rookie and Player of the Year in the spring of 2015, becoming the first player to receive both honors in the conference since 2006.
Ava Sadeghi '15 was named an All-American three times, twice finishing eighth in singles play at the ITA Small College National Championships and placing sixth in doubles in 2012 with partner Samantha Schapiro '15, who was also named All-American. Nicole Pontee '10, Hannah Palmer '92, and Debbie Sharnak '07, reached the singles round of 16 in the NCAA Championships. Pontee and Palmer further advanced to the singles quarterfinals. Sharnak and partner Kelly Graham qualified for the ITA Doubles Nationals in 2004. Pontee in 2009 and Sharnak in 2005 were both named the ITA Northeast Region Player to Watch, an honor awarded to just four players nationally. All four players earned All-American honors.
Overall, nine team members have earned All-American honors. Numerous players have been ranked both regionally and nationally by the ITA in the past 30 years and qualified for NCAA Championship events. More than a 50 players have earned an All-Liberty League honors, with countless others garnering All-New York State honors. Each year since 1996, Vassar squads have earned ITA All-Academic recognition for posting a team GPA of 3.2 and higher, and more than 60 percent of team members have earned ITA Academic All-American honors for earning a 3.5 or above GPA.
Campbell, who is also a tenured faculty member, teaches several classes at Vassar and is the Associate Director of Physical Education. She has served as the chair of the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Committee, ITA National/Regional ranking chair, the ITA Board of Directors and the ITA Small College Operating Committee. She is a certified USTA High Performance Coach and PTR "professional."Â
