Spring Break
Double trouble for URI women's tennis
Brandon Gearing
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
10/03/08 - The University of Rhode Island woman's tennis team boasts a strong cast of freshmen this year. The dynamic duo of twins Tristany and Kirsten Leikem head the group, which also includes teammate Pam Emery.
Head coach Sandy Wood says that the twins have helped to make a significantly stronger team.
So far they have contributed to a successful formula, as the Rams have gone 3-0 in match play and performed very well in tournament play.
The twins have been rotating the top three singles spots with fellow freshman Pam Emery and have also rotated the top two doubles spots, showcasing dominance across the board.
"They know each other so well and it helps them communicate better on the court," Wood said. "It's a twin thing."
Success is something these twins are used to. They have been playing the game they love since the age of three.
"Our parents took us to the park when we were three and were trying to find something that we liked," said Kirsten. "They gave us tennis rackets and apparently we kept asking to go back because we liked it so much."
The enthusiasm soon inspired lessons, which eventually lead to competing in tournaments. By the time they had reached high school, they had finally begun reaping the benefits of all their hard work.
As freshmen in high school, the twins won their first doubles state championship. Together they continued to dominate every year, winning four state championships in a row.
"Winning four in a row is definitely my greatest achievement so far in tennis," said Kirsten, and Tristany agreed. It was the only time in the history of Arizona state that a doubles tandem had won four state championships in a row.
The girls didn't limit their success to the tennis court. Tristany finished third in her class and Kirsten finished fourth. They both took AP courses and took immense pride in their schoolwork.
"My greatest achievement off the tennis court would have to be raising my SAT scores high enough to get the Centennial Scholarship," said Kirsten. Tristany also mentioned her high class ranking as her greatest achievement.
Head coach Sandy Wood says that the twins have helped to make a significantly stronger team.
So far they have contributed to a successful formula, as the Rams have gone 3-0 in match play and performed very well in tournament play.
The twins have been rotating the top three singles spots with fellow freshman Pam Emery and have also rotated the top two doubles spots, showcasing dominance across the board.
"They know each other so well and it helps them communicate better on the court," Wood said. "It's a twin thing."
Success is something these twins are used to. They have been playing the game they love since the age of three.
"Our parents took us to the park when we were three and were trying to find something that we liked," said Kirsten. "They gave us tennis rackets and apparently we kept asking to go back because we liked it so much."
The enthusiasm soon inspired lessons, which eventually lead to competing in tournaments. By the time they had reached high school, they had finally begun reaping the benefits of all their hard work.
As freshmen in high school, the twins won their first doubles state championship. Together they continued to dominate every year, winning four state championships in a row.
"Winning four in a row is definitely my greatest achievement so far in tennis," said Kirsten, and Tristany agreed. It was the only time in the history of Arizona state that a doubles tandem had won four state championships in a row.
The girls didn't limit their success to the tennis court. Tristany finished third in her class and Kirsten finished fourth. They both took AP courses and took immense pride in their schoolwork.
"My greatest achievement off the tennis court would have to be raising my SAT scores high enough to get the Centennial Scholarship," said Kirsten. Tristany also mentioned her high class ranking as her greatest achievement.
