Karina Blas, JDP Coordinator

Karina Blas is our Junior Development Program Coordinator. Growing up in Poland, she was a Top 10 junior player in the 12s, 14s, and 16s - crowned Polish champion in 2014 (16s); she also placed 2nd in the Tennis Europe 14s in doubles in 2012. She is a winner of multiple national singles and doubles junior tournaments. Karina played two years at the University of South Carolina Aiken, followed by playing three seasons as a number one seat in singles and doubles for St. Thomas Aquinas College, where she received her BA in Sports Management with a concentration in Athletic Administration and an additional Minor in Marketing. She volunteered at many junior events to promote tennis in schools in Poland. 

Karina started coaching at Cracow Tennis Academy in 2017, then moved to First Assistant Tennis Director at Wykagyl Country Club (2019-2021), while holding the position of Director of the Pelham Recreation Tennis Program since 2020. She has also been busy as a certified national tennis referee - she has been a chair umpire in many national junior tournaments, a line umpire in multiple Futures, Davis and Fed Cup events, along with two WTA250 final matches. Karina has an energetic personality and connects with players at all levels. She considers good sportsmanship as a valuable skill for player improvement.