Completed Event: Women's Tennis at #1 Auburn on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Women's Tennis
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at #1 Auburn
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Photo by: Bri Shaw, Duke Athletics
Codd Striving as a Sophomore for Blue Devils
3/6/2024 8:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
By Samera Eusufzai, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM – Katie Codd, a sophomore on the Duke women's tennis team, refused to let the slow start to her collegiate career deter her pursuit of excellence. Instead, this season, she embodied the Duke Difference through her resilience, work ethic, and confidence to rise in the rankings to as high as No. 52 in the nation.
While she explored dance, gymnastics, and swimming throughout her childhood, Codd settled down with tennis at 12 years old. Since then, she continued to hone her skills as she entered Duke ranked 14th nationally and No. 4 in her home state of California. Codd's talent caught the attention of many of the top tennis teams in the country, but ultimately chose to be a Blue Devil.
Codd entered Duke with high expectations for athletics and academics as a potential Economics/Finance major, and like most freshmen, devoted the year towards maturing and developing new mindsets. As the lone freshman on the squad, the Blue Devil women's tennis team she joined was a very experienced group with three graduate students, two seniors and one junior coming off winning the 2022 ACC Championship.
When she reflected on last season, Codd said, "it was definitely tough for me because I ended up not doing very well in the fall season. That dictated how I wasn't in the lineup for the spring season. It was hard to manage my expectations because I really wanted to be able to play in the lineup and obviously, I didn't really get that opportunity. But through it all, I just had to stay positive and keep in mind that there's three more years. There's so much time and so many opportunities to be able to work into the lineup."
Codd did not let her setbacks bring her down. Instead, she was honest in its impact upon her mental health, but more importantly, determined to return the following season stronger than ever. Rather than allowing her short-term struggle to define her character, she gained a long-term perspective regarding her future at Duke to spur her resilience.
"Last year, my confidence was at an all time low and everything piled on top of each other," said Codd. "I wasn't able to play my game and I [thought], 'Oh, I'm not good enough.' But then just being able to play again and to see the results come and to be able to practice really helped me to be able to play well."
Although she practiced being more aggressive for the right ball and coming to the net more during the summer, the most important takeaway from last season was "staying positive and keeping up the work ethic that I've always had. I learned how to deal with adversity and to stay true to myself and realize that as long as I put in the work and put in 100 percent in each practice, things will get better," Codd said.
Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth stated that Codd's development "starts with her openness. She's a different person. Katie is much more confident off the court and that carries to on the court. She has been much more open with her personality and joking around. It took her a little while to get used to things here and it's been great to see. It's been great for our team. She's taken on any challenge that we've given her. We've moved her in the lineup in different spots, but she's earned that with the play that she's had and how hard she's worked."
Codd's positive mindset, honed skills, and constant support from her teammates, especially last season's senior Chloe Beck, enabled her current success. This current camaraderie of her team contrasts the individualistic nature of junior tennis. In the past, Codd felt that the matches were her versus all of her opponents. Now, through the encouragement of her team, she feels they are united to represent Duke versus opponents.
"[The team] helps me a lot," said Codd. "Especially when I see my teammates, winning a tough point or screaming, 'Come on!' It gives me the confidence to keep going. I know that I have my teammates behind me. When I do feel tired or fatigued, I know I'm playing for them. I'm playing with them. We're all in the same boat. It definitely motivates me to keep going."
Codd's hard work and determination all came to fruition in the fall when she defeated 12th-ranked Celia Belle Mohr in the Kitty Harrision Invitational. She went on to register a 7-3 record in the fall. This boost of confidence reinforced that her "level was there," and she "could be competitive with the top collegiate athletes." Overall, "it was a good start and then I just rode that momentum through," Codd said.
She has taken that confidence in the fall and rode it into the spring as she won her first six dual matches of the season and currently owns 13 singles wins on the year, which is the second-most on the squad. Codd, who hails from Carlsbad, Calif., has helped lead Duke to a 8-4 start to the season and a ranking as high as No. 14 nationally.
Over the weekend, Codd picked up her first two ACC career singles wins against Syracuse and Boston College. She is now 6-0 on the season at the No. 4 singles slot.
Codd overcame the challenges of her previous season, while achieving new success through her steadfast work ethic and positive mindset. Her play this season demonstrates the importance of long-term growth and resilience. Codd's journey not only represents her personal power of perseverance and confidence in the face of adversity, but also the collective power of support from the Duke women's tennis team.
The Blue Devils will next hit the court this weekend as Duke hosts Clemson on Friday, March 8 at 2 p.m., and Georgia Tech at 11 a.m., on Sunday, March 10 at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
DURHAM – Katie Codd, a sophomore on the Duke women's tennis team, refused to let the slow start to her collegiate career deter her pursuit of excellence. Instead, this season, she embodied the Duke Difference through her resilience, work ethic, and confidence to rise in the rankings to as high as No. 52 in the nation.
While she explored dance, gymnastics, and swimming throughout her childhood, Codd settled down with tennis at 12 years old. Since then, she continued to hone her skills as she entered Duke ranked 14th nationally and No. 4 in her home state of California. Codd's talent caught the attention of many of the top tennis teams in the country, but ultimately chose to be a Blue Devil.
Codd entered Duke with high expectations for athletics and academics as a potential Economics/Finance major, and like most freshmen, devoted the year towards maturing and developing new mindsets. As the lone freshman on the squad, the Blue Devil women's tennis team she joined was a very experienced group with three graduate students, two seniors and one junior coming off winning the 2022 ACC Championship.
When she reflected on last season, Codd said, "it was definitely tough for me because I ended up not doing very well in the fall season. That dictated how I wasn't in the lineup for the spring season. It was hard to manage my expectations because I really wanted to be able to play in the lineup and obviously, I didn't really get that opportunity. But through it all, I just had to stay positive and keep in mind that there's three more years. There's so much time and so many opportunities to be able to work into the lineup."
Codd did not let her setbacks bring her down. Instead, she was honest in its impact upon her mental health, but more importantly, determined to return the following season stronger than ever. Rather than allowing her short-term struggle to define her character, she gained a long-term perspective regarding her future at Duke to spur her resilience.
"Last year, my confidence was at an all time low and everything piled on top of each other," said Codd. "I wasn't able to play my game and I [thought], 'Oh, I'm not good enough.' But then just being able to play again and to see the results come and to be able to practice really helped me to be able to play well."
Although she practiced being more aggressive for the right ball and coming to the net more during the summer, the most important takeaway from last season was "staying positive and keeping up the work ethic that I've always had. I learned how to deal with adversity and to stay true to myself and realize that as long as I put in the work and put in 100 percent in each practice, things will get better," Codd said.
Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth stated that Codd's development "starts with her openness. She's a different person. Katie is much more confident off the court and that carries to on the court. She has been much more open with her personality and joking around. It took her a little while to get used to things here and it's been great to see. It's been great for our team. She's taken on any challenge that we've given her. We've moved her in the lineup in different spots, but she's earned that with the play that she's had and how hard she's worked."
Codd's positive mindset, honed skills, and constant support from her teammates, especially last season's senior Chloe Beck, enabled her current success. This current camaraderie of her team contrasts the individualistic nature of junior tennis. In the past, Codd felt that the matches were her versus all of her opponents. Now, through the encouragement of her team, she feels they are united to represent Duke versus opponents.
"[The team] helps me a lot," said Codd. "Especially when I see my teammates, winning a tough point or screaming, 'Come on!' It gives me the confidence to keep going. I know that I have my teammates behind me. When I do feel tired or fatigued, I know I'm playing for them. I'm playing with them. We're all in the same boat. It definitely motivates me to keep going."
Codd's hard work and determination all came to fruition in the fall when she defeated 12th-ranked Celia Belle Mohr in the Kitty Harrision Invitational. She went on to register a 7-3 record in the fall. This boost of confidence reinforced that her "level was there," and she "could be competitive with the top collegiate athletes." Overall, "it was a good start and then I just rode that momentum through," Codd said.
She has taken that confidence in the fall and rode it into the spring as she won her first six dual matches of the season and currently owns 13 singles wins on the year, which is the second-most on the squad. Codd, who hails from Carlsbad, Calif., has helped lead Duke to a 8-4 start to the season and a ranking as high as No. 14 nationally.
Over the weekend, Codd picked up her first two ACC career singles wins against Syracuse and Boston College. She is now 6-0 on the season at the No. 4 singles slot.
Codd overcame the challenges of her previous season, while achieving new success through her steadfast work ethic and positive mindset. Her play this season demonstrates the importance of long-term growth and resilience. Codd's journey not only represents her personal power of perseverance and confidence in the face of adversity, but also the collective power of support from the Duke women's tennis team.
The Blue Devils will next hit the court this weekend as Duke hosts Clemson on Friday, March 8 at 2 p.m., and Georgia Tech at 11 a.m., on Sunday, March 10 at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWTEN".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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Monday, January 26
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