By Karen Ronney
It has been two years since the dynamic duo of Kate Prichard and Anna Pallencaoe competed together in doubles and the result was the same. The former high school partners were once again champions. They recently won the Mindset NAMI Doubles Tennis Tournament Fundraiser at Balboa Tennis Club.
“It was play with Anna again,” said Prichard, who plays collegiate tennis indoors at the University of Montana. “We still practice together when I’m in San Diego and she is a really great hitting partner. Playing outdoors again was really a blast.”
Added Pallencaoe: “It was like old times. We’re still good friends and we enjoy playing doubles together.” 
Prichard, now a freshman at UM, and Pallencaoe, a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene University, were the 2022 CIF San Diego Section and the Western League Champions. The two had an impressive undefeated 2022 season when they played for Patrick Henry High in San Diego. They were sportsmanship award winners from the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation. Prichard was also a CIF San Diego Section Sportsmanship Award winner.
Pallencaoe, a sophomore, earned a scholarship to attend PLNU and last year finished with an impressive 13-8 record in singles, and 15-4 in doubles. As a freshman, she earned All-PacWest Academic Honors and was on the Dean’s List as a biology major.
Prichard, an environmental science major, was a finalist in the Gonzaga Fall Invitational Gold singles draw defeating opponents from Utah and Portland State Universities. She is slated to add depth and strength to the Griz line up.
“Kate has been open to learning and playing at the Division I level,” said UM Coach Steve Ascher. “She is improving taking risks that will make her successful. She has a good competitive mindset and we are excited to watch her grow as she adds elements to her game.”
Prichard and Pallencaoe will return to the respective schools to enjoy their upcoming NCAA collegiate seasons. The University of Montana was the 2024 Big Sky Champion and reached the semifinals of its conference tournament. PLNU finished in Third Place in the PacWest Championships, its best ever result.
“Kate and Anna were tennis standouts in So Cal high school tennis and the SCTA Foundation is proud of their continued excellence in college,” said Linda Milan, the Executive Director for the SCTA Foundation. “They displayed outstanding sportsmanship in their junior tennis years and continue to do so at the next level. We are so proud of them.”
About the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation:
We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and is the charitable arm of USTA Southern California. The Foundation’s mission is to “Change lives and build communities through tennis.” Since 2020, the SCTA Foundation has had a community impact of giving over $1million in tennis grants and tennis scholarships to deserving youth, adults, tennis organizations, tennis facilities and tennis programs to make tennis an equal opportunity sport, accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, or economic background. Visit us on Social Media on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about the SCTA Foundation go to: www.sctafoundation.org. To donate go to: sctafoundation.org/donate/.
