Lake Norman Tennis Center is located on 10 acres with easy access from Interstate 77. We have 10 outdoor tennis courts ---- including 2 hard courts, 6 har tru sub-irrigated clay courts, and 6 pickle ball courts! We also have 5 heated and ventilated indoor courts, with high quality lighting both indoors and outdoors. Our clubhouse includes an agility gym, showers, indoor and outdoor elevated viewing, classrooms and event space, as well as a pro shop.
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THE PRO SHOP
Our Pro Shop, located at our Tennis Center, offers our customers a wide selection of tennis rackets, grips, balls, and items for adults and junior players. We sell from major brands like Yonex and Wilson. Our tennis experts can give you advise on every products. We also offer a re-stringing service to everyone -- whether you're a member or not.
THE LAKE NORMAN TENNIS CENTER
MEET THE LNTC TEAM
Steve Valentine - Director of Tennis
Steve is originally from Melbourne, Australia with many years of experience as a Director of Tennis in the US and abroad, and has a world-class background both on and off the court!​
Some of Steve’s accomplishments include:
• Former top-ranked Australian Junior
• Bachelor in Sports Management
• Former Coach of top juniors at the renowned John Newcombe
Tennis Academy
• USPTA and PTR certified
• Proud Father of 3 kids, with several years of national junior rankings under their belts!
Kat Valentine - Membership & Club Operations
Kat has over 20 years experience in the tennis industry both as a Pro Shop Manager and as a teaching pro.​
Early in her career, Kat was a top ranked junior player and then went on to coach at the famed John Newcombe Tennis Academy in Texas, and then moved to Bakersfield California to pursue her career as a Tennis coach and pro shop Manger at In Shape Laurel Glen.​
Kat graduated from SNU with a Sports Management Degree with a minor in Business.​
Among Kat's proudest accomplishments has been as a Tennis Mom to her kids Walker, Faith, and Talan, all of which she has coached and traveled with throughout their already impressive junior careers!
Zach Lipson - Head Tennis Professional
Hailing from Fair Lawn New Jersey, Zach played one year of tennis at Ithaca College playing first singles before getting sidelined with a second knee injure ending his competitive career. Since then, he’s worked closely with the Cornell Men’s Tennis team as a volunteer assistant coach and media marketing coordinator, and taught as an instructor at Cornell’s Ries Tennis Center.
He then worked as assistant director at the Adidas tennis camp for the next 2 years before joining Cliff Drysdale Tennis. Zach worked at some of the top tennis resort locations such as the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, in Amelia Island, FL; Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage CA; Southampton Racket Club on Long Island in Southampton, NY. He was then the head teaching pro at Stratton Mountain Resort where he was also acting director of tennis in the Fall and Winter of 2017/2018, before coming to Lake Norman.
Zack Huffman - Tennis Professional
Zack was born and raised in North Carolina, he began playing tennis at an early age. His dad was a high school coach and began his sister and his tennis career. Coming up through juniors he was able to train with the top players of NC.
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He received a scholarship to play for Pfeiffer University and played all 4 years! His sister is going on to play for UNCW. During the summers he would travel to California and teach the summer camps at Carmel Valley Tennis. He got to coach along side Davis Cup Captain Dias Doskarayev from Kazakhstan.
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He is looking forward to teaching and growing the game for all ages. Tennis is his passion and he is excited to continue his career at Lake Norman Tennis Center!
Jennifer Butler - Head Coach Pickleball
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She has been playing pickleball for 5 years, medaling in numerous sanctioned tournaments throughout the States. She has also played all over the world- Spain, England, and even instructed “Teach the Teachers” sessions in Ireland. She is a Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional with IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association) and has been giving clinics and private lessons to individuals.
Hayden LeBlanc - Tennis Professional
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Hayden was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He began playing tennis at age 11 and continued to play competitively. He was a 4 time varsity letterman and also won the state championship in his senior year. Hayden has great energy on court and still loves to play the game. He loves every minute of it..
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Clement Torres - Tennis Professional
Clement began playing tennis at a very young age. I was able to experience different tennis academies in France and complete my high school education at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in the South of France. I then came to America to start my college career at William Carey University. I transferred to Limestone University to continue my tennis career. I graduated in May of 2021 with a major in Business Administration. I am currently completing my business masters degree online (MBA) through Limestone University. Since graduation, I have been coaching players aging from two to adult and of all tennis levels. I have also had the opportunity to be hitting partner with professional players who are currently on WTA, such as Danielle Collins and Bethany Mettek-Sands.
Marie Carpenter - Tennis Professional/Front desk
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Marie was born and raised in South Florida and began playing tennis at 6 years old! She played competitively throughout high school and continues to play competition level tennis.
She trained at IMG Academy under Nick Bollettieri and at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy (Mental Toughness) as a junior player. Marie attended the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa for her undergrad and Masters where she majored in Human Development. Roll Tide!
Marie currently coaches Volleyball and Tennis at Langtree Charter Academy in Mooresville, NC She also holds her coaching certifications through USTA and NCHSAA.
She is excited to be coaching at Lake Norman Tennis Center and cannot wait to help you grow your mental and physical tennis game.
Coach Carpenter
Morgan Buchholz - Tennis Proffessional
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Morgan is a graduate from Piedmont University in Demorest, GA and holds a Bachelors degree in both History and Secondary Education. She played NCAA Division 3 tennis at Piedmont, playing at the line #1 and #2 singles spots and setting a school record for most singles wins and and combined total wins (singles and doubles). Morgan’s coaching experiences includes ACE Academy in Johns Creek, GA, Athletic Club Northeast in Atlanta, GA, and White Columns Country Club in Milton, GA. As a competing junior player, Morgan was ranked top 10 in the state of Georgia and top 50 in the south. Morgan also held the record at Lanier High School of 58-1.