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CJ grad, tennis standout Pleiman to compete in prestigious championships

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer 12:02 AM Saturday, October 1, 2011

Katie Pleiman had some time to chat, but not much.

Within 20 minutes of answering her cell phone Thursday afternoon, the former Chaminade Julienne tennis standout departed for Los Angeles, where she is competing this weekend in the prestigious ITA Women’s All-American Championships.

Pleiman, Xavier University’s No. 1 singles player by virtue of the fact she hardly ever loses, competes today in the pre-qualifying singles draw against Columbia junior Nicole Bartnik, a former IMG Academies prodigy.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Pleiman, the first Xavier player chosen for the event. “I’ve never been to California.”

One small drawback is that Pleiman, fresh from going 3-0 at the Miami University Invitational last weekend with wins over No. 1 singles counterparts from Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky and Miami, is separated from her teammates. They were busing seven hours Thursday to Tennessee for this weekend’s UT-Chattanooga Invitational.

“It’s weird not traveling with them,” Pleiman said. “We’re together all the time. I’ve been texting them all day.”

Pleiman went 31-8 in singles matches her first two years at Xavier. She’s been a force in doubles, too, but has had to find a new partner with the graduation of her sister. Also a CJ grad, Christie Pleiman works for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York and wants to become a financial planner.

Interest in finance runs in the family. Katie interned at Merrill Lynch over the summer.

“My dad’s in business, and he always pushed me to go into business,” Katie said. “My mom wanted me to be a teacher, but I’m really competitive and I like the aspect of winning. I feel like in business I can help a company rise to the top.”

The top is where Katie, who has never lost an Atlantic 10 singles match, would like to take Xavier. The Musketeers’ goal is to win the conference — A-10 play starts in January — and qualify for the NCAA tournament. It would be another first for Pleiman.

“Our team is really strong this year,” Katie said. “I think we have a good shot.”

Campus tour

• Defensive tackle Jerel Worthy (Wayne) will be one of 25 Ohioans on the Michigan State team that takes the field today at Ohio State in the Big Ten football opener for both schools.

• Sinclair Community College volleyball player Abigail Schlater (Tri-County North) was named Ohio Community College Athletic Conference player of the week. Schlater, a sophomore captain, is 10th nationally in kills with 238 and had 27 in one match.

• Miami University senior volleyball player Jenn Caylor (Centerville) has been named to three all-tournament teams already this season. The RedHawks were 10-6 entering the weekend and Caylor had a team-leading 120 kills and ranked third with 111 digs.

• Senior outside hitter Venessa Haase (Miamisburg) recently recorded her 1,000th career kill at Heidelberg.

If you have information about an area athlete in college, send an email to smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com

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