Meet the Member: Angie Bader

Where are you from and what brought you to the Reno/Tahoe area?

I was born in Pennsylvania, spent a few early years in San Diego then five years in Bermuda before moving here in the early 80’s when my Dad found work here. I grew up in the North Valleys playing basketball, softball and volleyball and attended Pine Middle School and Hug High School and then the University of Nevada, Reno.  I moved to Sacramento to attend law school, married my high school sweetheart and we returned to Reno to start our careers and be closer to family when we stared a family.  I clerked for the Honorable Steven Kosach and the practiced with Laxalt and Nomura in civil litigation retiring after 19 years.  I have three adult children ages 25, 22 and 19.

What’s your tennis story? How did you get started and what keeps you going? Please include how long you have been a member of WTC. 

I played casual tennis with my mom when I was young and watched a lot on TV being a latchkey kid.  I hit the ball around occasionally with some friends during college, law school and thereafter but never played competitively.  I started taking a few lessons with Jason Yelley at the suggestion of a friend in 2018.  I got asked to sub for a 3.0 doubles practice and then was asked to join the team.  Jason got me set up with my first 3.5 USTA team in 2019 and I was hooked.  It satisfied my love of competition which had been missing since we disbanded our law firm slow pitch softball team in my early years of law practice.  We all had kids and couldn’t afford to be injured! This is my second year of being a member at WTC and I love being able to play and become comfortable at new venues.

What WTC or USTA activities do you participate in? 

I play in the Tuesday 4.0+ ladies doubles group at WTC and have played in the Zephyr and Capital City Tournament.  I played for the 4.5 WTC women’s team this spring. I also qualified for and went to Nationals for NTRP 3.5 singles in 2023. 

What is another favorite hobby other than tennis? Can you give a recommendation for that activity?

I started aerobics in college at the YMCA when my high school sports career ended.  I was going to join the UNR softball team but they disbanded my freshman year and I declined to walk on to the basketball team.  I continued aerobics and dance classes during law school and at Sports West after I moved back to Reno and also I started yoga when I had kids.  I tried Zumba at South Reno Athletic Club and have been hooked for almost 20 years; I even considered being an instructor! Everyone should try it—it’s great for your tennis footwork.

Who is your favorite professional tennis player? Why?  

I can’t say I have a favorite but I always love the underdog challenger!

Any fun plans for the upcoming winter? How do you like to spend your time in cold weather seasons?

My husband and I are recent empty nesters, both kids and dogs, so we decided to get two puppies.  That will keep us busy through the winter but we do have a trip planned to Death Valley In February and a 3 week trip to Patagonia in March/April complete with tango, polo, trekking, winetasting and more. We will also take on a remodel project at our Reno home while continuing to improve our Ranch in Gardnerville.  Hopefully the pups will enjoy snow shoeing in the winter!

Can you tell us about your family, occupation, pets, etc?  

I am lucky to have both my parents living in Reno as well has my husband’s family.  My brother lives in Oregon with his family and we try to get together when we can.  We currently have three barn cats and two new puppies, a Border Collie and a Brittany Spaniel.  Although my husband and I are retired, we keep busy with our ranch in Gardnerville where my oldest daughter has a horse riding program and trail outfitting business. Anyone want to ride??  The ranch also grows hay, leases cattle and produces and sells small quantities of ranch beef.