Union University Athletics

Karen McWherter played four years on the women's tennis team at Union. This includes the program's inaugural season of 1977-78. As a senior in 1980-81, McWherter received the program's first full scholarship in tennis. 

McWherter was the first Union women's tennis participant in the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC) Tournament. She also helped lead her team to the VSAC Western Division title in 1981, qualifying Union for the first NAIA National Tournament. McWherter led Union women's tennis to an 11th place finish of 24 teams in the national tournament. 

McWherter earned the team MVP Award in each of the first three seasons it was awarded (1979, '80, and '81). 

In the VSAC Tournament, McWherter advanced to the finals three years, earning selections to the All-VSAC team in 1979, '80, and '81.

McWherter posted a career singles record of 51-17 and a career doubles record of 49-16. 

Since graduating in 1981, McWherter has been working at Union University in the Institutional Technology (IT) Department. In 1998-99, she was selected as the Union Staff Member of the Year. 

McWherter has remained active in the sport she loves. She has won many local competitive tennis tournaments. In 1984, McWherter won the Roberts/Muse Cup, which is the Jackson City Tournament Championship. 

McWherter continues to play tennis in the United State Tennis Association (USTA) Leagues where her teams have won several state championships. 

While at Union, McWherter played three years for Coach Bill Truex and one year for Union Sports Hall of Fame, 2016 inductee, Coach Peggy Birmingham.