Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Fall 2007: Listed at No. 41 in the ITA Preseason Poll...Embry-Riddle Champions of Character Scholarship recipient...competed in four singles matches, posting a 2-3 record...notched a 6-4, 6-1 win over NCAA I opponent Jeneice Ward of Bethune-Cookman in the Embry-Riddle Fall Tournament (Sept. 14)...topped St. Thomas’ Natalia Ramirez 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the ITA Florida Regional (Sept. 28)...paired with Natalie Anaya for a 1-2 doubles record...defeated the Bethune-Cookman duo of Chanetra Brown and Shaunda Gaiter 8-1 in the Embry-Riddle Fall Tournament (Sept. 14)...Anaya and Kurtz are ranked 10th in the ITA preseason polls.

As A Junior in 2006-07: Honorable mention Academic All-Conference...ITA Scholar Athlete...recipient of the Eagles' True North Award...played in 20 dual matches at the No. 3 position with a 10-10 record...posted a 3-2 conference record...defeated two ranked opponents including No. 44 Natalia Aranguren of Brenau and No. 38 Isabella Bauer of Southern Nazarene...avenged a 2006 national tournament loss to Anja Chan, defeating the Berry College junior 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 (Mar. 14)...paired with Natalie Anaya at No. 1 doubles...the pair was 8-12 in dual matches and 3-1 in the FSC...defeated Southwestern’s Leah Rankin and Jenny Crank 8-3 in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament (May 14). Fall 2006: Closed out the fall season with a pair of victories at the ITA Regional against Savannah College of Art and Design's Erica Cardenas (6-1, 6-0) and Irina Pljusznyin (6-2, 7-6) before falling to teammate Natalie Anaya (5-7, 7-6, 2-6) in the tournament semifinal (Sept. 29)...teamed up with Anaya for an 8-5 first-round win over Cardenas and Katie Glenn (May 29)...ranked 40th in the ITA fall poll.  

As A Sophomore in 2005-06: Honorable mention Academic All-Conference... recipient of the Eagles' True North Award...compiled a 12-7 record in the spring, including a 4-1 conference mark...played at No. 4 singles...closed out the year on a six-game winning streak...partnered with Natalie Anaya at No. 2 doubles for a 12-7 record, including five straight wins to end the season...notched three wins in the fall...defeated NCAA Division I Bethune Cookman's Shaundra 6-1, 6-3 at ERAU Invitational...advanced to ERAU Invitational doubles semi-finals with partner Nora Kluge.  

2005 (Tusculum College): Played at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles for NCAA II Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee...received the team's Scholar Athlete award. 

Prep: Graduated from Kennesaw Mountain High School...graduated with 3.78 GPA and Honors...member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Character Education Leader in high school... played No. 1 singles all four years and was captain her senior year...recipient of the Coach’s Award...tennis team finished second in region in the years 2003 and 2004 and competed in state both years...ended her junior career ranked 58th in the state of Georgia and 120th in the USTA Southern sectional ranking in Girls 18s.  

Personal: Majoring in Applied Meteorology with a minor in Communication...born August 2, 1985...daughter of Paul and Ellen Kurtz...member of ERAU’s Student Government Finance Board.