The University of Mississippi Athletics
Accepting The Challenge
10/13/2008 | Women's Tennis
By Kim Ling,
Associate Director Athletics Media Relations
It's been said there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. When sophomore Karen Nijssen, a native of Holland, decided to continue her education and tennis career in the United States, there were many opportunities awaiting her. She could have taken the easier road to success, but instead, she chose the more difficult path.
"I was in contact with other schools and could have gone to a school in California, but I wanted to play in the SEC, because it's the strongest conference," she noted. I wanted to play against the best."
Nijssen wanted a challenge and she got one in her first year in more ways than one. The SEC is not for the feint of heart, as every match is a dogfight, and if you're not ready to play, you'll get beat. Nijssen proved she was ready to play right away.
Most freshmen come into college tennis and work their way up the lineup as the years go by. Not Nijssen. She jumped right in, playing No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles, which meant she faced the other team's best players every match. She accepted the challenge, and did quite well, earning All-SEC second team honors and a trip to the NCAA Championships in doubles. Nijssen was one of the top freshmen in the conference, making the All-Freshman team after going 6-5 in league play in singles and 8-3 in doubles.
"I didn't know what to expect, because I didn't know how good the team was going to be or where I would fit in," Nijssen said. "It was a lot of fun. It was exciting to go to the NCAAs, because all the best players in the nation were there. It's good to see the top players and see how good you have to be to reach that goal."
Nijssen teamed with Nika Koukhartchouk to reach the second round in doubles at the NCAAs and earned a final national ranking of No. 32. While she enjoyed the experience, she left wanting more.
"We (team) want to make the NCAAs," she said. "We ended on a good note last season, and hopefully we can carry that over to this season. I am working hard everyday to improve. I want to make the NCAAs in singles as well as with the team. It was fun to go with just the two of us, but it will be more fun to go with the entire team. That's my biggest goal."
There is plenty of reason for excitement this season with the addition of talented freshmen Kristi Boxx and Gabriela Rangel, and transfers Connor Vogel and Pippa Reakes. In fact, Nijssen has a new doubles partner. She and Boxx teamed up at the Bulldog Invitational to start the season 2-1, including a win over the nation's 37th-ranked team.
"Everyone has a great personality and adds something different to the team, whether it is on or off the courts," Nijssen said. "We have a whole new team this year and everyone has their own style of game, but we all connect. The atmosphere has been really good so far during practice. Everyone is working really hard, we motivate each other and at the same time we are having a lot of fun. Gabby and Kristi are really fun people to have on the team, because they're very outgoing. Kristi and I are both really excited to play doubles together; we want to develop our game, and so far that has been really fun. She has a lot of talent and can do really well for the team.
"Connor (Vogel) has to sit out a year, but she's already part of the team even though she doesn't get to play right now. She brings a lot of energy to the team and she has experience in the SEC.
"Pippa (Reakes) also has experience and knows what to do. She will also help the team a lot."
With senior Mimi Renaudin and junior Soledad Podlipnik as the only returning upperclassmen on this year's team, Nijssen knows she will be counted on to provide leadership even as a sophomore. Whether that's at No. 1 singles or anywhere else in the lineup, Nijssen says she'll be ready.
"I played No. 1 (singles) two times last year, and it was fine. I don't feel extra pressure. I just try to do my best. If I play No.1 or No. 6, I don't care as long as I can win and help the team."
Nijssen recently teamed up with Boxx to claim the A Flight doubles title at the Ole Miss Fall Classic and reached the final in singles, where she lost to Boxx in three sets. Ole Miss' first team dual match will be in Oxford on Jan. 27 versus Arkansas State.
With Nijssen leading the way, the Lady Rebels are looking forward to extending their season into the month of May.
Associate Director Athletics Media Relations
It's been said there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. When sophomore Karen Nijssen, a native of Holland, decided to continue her education and tennis career in the United States, there were many opportunities awaiting her. She could have taken the easier road to success, but instead, she chose the more difficult path.
"I was in contact with other schools and could have gone to a school in California, but I wanted to play in the SEC, because it's the strongest conference," she noted. I wanted to play against the best."
Nijssen wanted a challenge and she got one in her first year in more ways than one. The SEC is not for the feint of heart, as every match is a dogfight, and if you're not ready to play, you'll get beat. Nijssen proved she was ready to play right away.
Most freshmen come into college tennis and work their way up the lineup as the years go by. Not Nijssen. She jumped right in, playing No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles, which meant she faced the other team's best players every match. She accepted the challenge, and did quite well, earning All-SEC second team honors and a trip to the NCAA Championships in doubles. Nijssen was one of the top freshmen in the conference, making the All-Freshman team after going 6-5 in league play in singles and 8-3 in doubles.
"I didn't know what to expect, because I didn't know how good the team was going to be or where I would fit in," Nijssen said. "It was a lot of fun. It was exciting to go to the NCAAs, because all the best players in the nation were there. It's good to see the top players and see how good you have to be to reach that goal."
Nijssen teamed with Nika Koukhartchouk to reach the second round in doubles at the NCAAs and earned a final national ranking of No. 32. While she enjoyed the experience, she left wanting more.
"We (team) want to make the NCAAs," she said. "We ended on a good note last season, and hopefully we can carry that over to this season. I am working hard everyday to improve. I want to make the NCAAs in singles as well as with the team. It was fun to go with just the two of us, but it will be more fun to go with the entire team. That's my biggest goal."
There is plenty of reason for excitement this season with the addition of talented freshmen Kristi Boxx and Gabriela Rangel, and transfers Connor Vogel and Pippa Reakes. In fact, Nijssen has a new doubles partner. She and Boxx teamed up at the Bulldog Invitational to start the season 2-1, including a win over the nation's 37th-ranked team.
"Everyone has a great personality and adds something different to the team, whether it is on or off the courts," Nijssen said. "We have a whole new team this year and everyone has their own style of game, but we all connect. The atmosphere has been really good so far during practice. Everyone is working really hard, we motivate each other and at the same time we are having a lot of fun. Gabby and Kristi are really fun people to have on the team, because they're very outgoing. Kristi and I are both really excited to play doubles together; we want to develop our game, and so far that has been really fun. She has a lot of talent and can do really well for the team.
"Connor (Vogel) has to sit out a year, but she's already part of the team even though she doesn't get to play right now. She brings a lot of energy to the team and she has experience in the SEC.
"Pippa (Reakes) also has experience and knows what to do. She will also help the team a lot."
With senior Mimi Renaudin and junior Soledad Podlipnik as the only returning upperclassmen on this year's team, Nijssen knows she will be counted on to provide leadership even as a sophomore. Whether that's at No. 1 singles or anywhere else in the lineup, Nijssen says she'll be ready.
"I played No. 1 (singles) two times last year, and it was fine. I don't feel extra pressure. I just try to do my best. If I play No.1 or No. 6, I don't care as long as I can win and help the team."
Nijssen recently teamed up with Boxx to claim the A Flight doubles title at the Ole Miss Fall Classic and reached the final in singles, where she lost to Boxx in three sets. Ole Miss' first team dual match will be in Oxford on Jan. 27 versus Arkansas State.
With Nijssen leading the way, the Lady Rebels are looking forward to extending their season into the month of May.
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