University of West Florida

Mary Catherine Grafton Alexander played tennis on the UWF women’s team from 1983-1984. She played her first two seasons at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, and then transferred closer to home to play for UWF. She ranked number one in singles and doubles, and she became the first woman to win the District title and compete at Nationals at UWF in both categories. In 1983, she posted an 18-8 singles record and a 23-8 doubles record, leading to her award as the Most Valuable Player.

In her senior season, she posted a record of 32-8 in singles and a 22-11 in doubles. She played in both singles and doubles at the 1984 NAIA National Championships in Kansas City, MO, and among the 203 competitors, Grafton won four singles matches, including three in one day as she advanced to the Final 16. She then advanced to the second round of the doubles competition. When she was awarded 1984 Honorable Mention All-America, she became the first female athlete in West Florida history to earn All-America honors. Grafton graduated in 1985 with a B.S. in Sports Science. After graduating, Mary Catherine and her mother, Charlene, also a West Florida graduate, competed in the Mother-Daughter tennis circuit. Together, they won a United States Tennis Association National Title together in 1984, earning a number two ranking.