Meet Mariko: Tennis has been a driving force in my life since I was about 7 years old, when my parents first put a racket in my hands. My father told me that if I hit the ball over the fence, we’d go for ice cream. We went for ice cream. For anyone who has seen me play, this explains a lot. (For those who haven’t: I hit hard and flat.) We moved to Tokyo when I was 13 and I joined a tennis academy there. I started playing Jr. ITF tournaments shortly after, and within two year

Meet Lucia: A local tennis professional teaching at community parks in Brentwood and Discovery Bay. She has introduced more than 500 students to the game on a single court and is leading efforts to develop a dedicated tennis center. Q: What has your experience as a woman in the tennis community meant to you personally over the years? A: Being a woman in the NorCal Tennis Community means the doors are wide open for me to make a difference in allowing and growing the sport of

Meet Katie: A tennis entrepreneur and creator of a high-end tennis clinic brand. A recognized influencer in the tennis community and former Director of Tennis at the Silverado Resort and Spa. Q: What does being a woman in the NorCal tennis community mean to you? A: Being part of the NorCal community means carrying forward a rich legacy. So many incredible women have molded this region into what it is today; to be a part of it feels like holding a torch they lit. I see my rol

Meet Isabella: COO of Lifetime Activities, overseeing direct operations at six locations: Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Goldman Tennis Center in San Francisco. Q: What does being a woman in the NorCal tennis community mean to you? A: To me, being a woman in NorCal tennis means being part of a community that is both deeply supportive and constantly evolving. It means showing up not just as a player or professional, but as someone who contribu

Meet Janie: Janie is an avid tennis player and board member of the Laney Tennis Association. She also volunteers at San Quentin, where she supports using tennis as a powerful outlet for connection, personal growth, and rehabilitation. Q: What does being a woman in the NorCal tennis community mean to you? A: As a sports journalist with more than 30 years experience, I have seen all the ups and downs and injuries and how sometimes everything goes right and others it doesn't but

Meet Jill: Jill has loved tennis since she was a child, and the sport continues to be a meaningful part of her life today. She is especially grateful that her husband and both of her sons share that love of the game. For Jill, tennis is about much more than competition. It is a source of fitness, friendship, support, and joy — and, of course, a great excuse for cute outfits. Q: What has tennis given you beyond the court - whether that’s confidence, friendship, community, or

Meet Chrissie: Chrissie Costamagna’s impact on tennis in Northern California goes far beyond the court. Yes, her accomplishments as a player, coach, and leader are remarkable, but what stands out most is the way she has consistently used tennis to bring people together, create opportunity, and serve her community. A former UC Davis player from 1983 to 1987, Chrissie built an outstanding playing career, earning USTA NorCal 5.0 Player of the Year in both 2000 and 2001, as well

Betty Olsen is proof that tennis truly is a lifetime sport. At 88 years young, Betty recently captained her Adult 65 & Over 7.0 team to the USTA League National Championships. She first picked up a racquet in her early 30s after entering a tennis tournament with her husband and quickly fell in love with the game. Since then, Betty has spent over 50 years playing, captaining teams, growing the tennis community, and even introducing three generations of her family to the sport.