Pickleball has a funny way of pulling people in.
What starts as "I'll try it once" quickly turns into new friendships, group chats, tournament weekends, and somehow reorganizing your schedule around open play. Karen understands that because she's lived it too — and she coaches with that same energy in mind.
Real reps. Real laughs. Real progress.
Karen works with players of all levels, from nervous first-timers to competitive players looking to sharpen strategy, confidence, and consistency. Her coaching style blends technical instruction with encouragement, movement, laughter, and real-game repetition that actually translates onto the court.
- Welcoming without being overwhelming
- Detailed without feeling overly technical
- Competitive without losing the fun
- Supportive, social, and confidence-building
A life that shaped the coach.
Division I athlete
Played soccer at the University of Michigan — where the competitive mindset and work ethic she brings to coaching took root.
Coach before pickleball
Coached high school tennis and soccer, building a foundation in player development and team dynamics long before her first paddle.
Lived around the world
Taught in South Korea and lived in Panama and Chile while raising her daughter and supporting her husband's international career.
Those experiences deepened her appreciation for connection, adaptability, and community — values that now shape the environment she creates around pickleball.
Karen teaches at Mile Hi Pickleball, where she leads clinics, lessons, and events focused on helping players improve while genuinely enjoying the process.
"People learn faster when they feel comfortable, encouraged, and connected."
And fair warning: pickleball may become your entire personality a little faster than expected.