About Your Instructor . . .

Patricia J. Purcell
Director, Purcell Tennis Enterprises LLC

Pat has been a career Tennis Professional for over 20 years. She has successfully taught all levels and ages of players from rank beginners to the advanced tournament competitor, from age 4 to 75. Over the past several years, Pat has coached several men's and women's USTA teams to local, sectional, and national championships. Currently, she is working with six USTA Teams and runs one of the the largest recreational World Team Tennis programs in the US. Due to the longevity of her playing and teaching career, Pat is one of the most recognized and respected Tennis Pros in the St. Louis area.

In November 2000, Pat was named "The Outstanding Contributer to USA Team Tennis" by the St. Louis District Tennis Association for the year. In November of 2001, Pat received the Delaine Mast Award by Billie Jean King given to the Outstanding League Director in World Team Tennis in the United States for this year. Also in 2001, Pat was named "The Outstanding Contributor to USTA Tennis" for both the St. Louis District Tennis Association and the Missouri Valley.

A native St. Louisan, Pat was a nationally ranked junior in all age categories and the #1 ranked player in women's singles and doubles in St. Louis during the 1980's. Over the course of her playing career, Pat was in the finals of 94 tournaments, winning 71. A four year Varsity player at Washington University, two years on both the men's and women's teams, Pat returned to her alma mater as Asst. Coach of the Lady Bears Tennis Team from 1994 - 1999.

At Houston 55 Nationals March 2011 Pat beat the #5 seed in the first round and made it to the quarters before losing to the #1 seed and eventual champion,Carolyn Nichols. In the feed in consolation, Pat won three morematches to win the consolation (got a pewter bowl) and finish in fifth place out of a field of  32.  In seven days, she played 11matches (6 singles, 5 doubles).

The unseeded team of Pat Purcell and Leslie Murveit took home a USTA Gold Ball for winning the National 55 Doubles held in Chicago May 2011.  They upset the #1 seeds and defending champions, ChristySchaeffer/Tina Karwasky in the semis, then beat the #2 seeds Tracy Viebrock/Janet Bezmalinovich in the finals.
In 55 Singles action, Pat finished in second place to Tina Karwasky and took home the Silver Ball.

At the National 55 Grass Court Tournament held in Philadelphia at the Germantown Cricket Club, July 25 - 31, 2011, Pat, seeded fourth in the singles, advanced to the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Tina Karwasky. Pat beat third seed Kandy Chain and collected the Bronze Ball. In a first time partnership with Sherri Bronson of Phoenix in women’s doubles, she captured the Silver Ball losing in the finals to the first seeds Karwasky/Chain. For 2011, Pat finished ranked 3rd in 55 singles and 4th in 55 doubles in the nation.

Pat was honored by the St. Louis District Tennis Assn. as "Female Player of the Year"
in November 2011. Pat also will be honored by the USPTA as "Missouri Valley USPTA 55 Player of the Year" and "Missouri USPTA Pro of the Year for 2011.

Pat is currently endorsed by Wilson and is USPTA, Level One. She is also a certified Cardio Tennis Instructor.