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The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Everybody's MVP
11/17/2009 | Men's Tennis
By Kim Ling
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director
Rafael Nadal has become a favorite player to watch among many tennis fans because of his exceptional fighting attitude. Whether he's up 5-0 or down 0-5, he maintains his intensity. The same can be said of Rebel senior Kalle Norberg, who competes until the last point is over, win or lose. And like Nadal, Norberg's game is not fancy, but it's hard to argue with the results.
During Norberg's career, the Rebels have won three SEC West titles, two SEC Tournament Championships and this past year, captured the overall SEC Championship, going undefeated in league play. At the heart of this success is Norberg, who earned SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors in 2009, as the only player to go undefeated in league play.
"It was nice to get the award, but the whole team deserved it," Norberg said. "The most important thing is that the team won the tournament. Hopefully someone else (from our team) can win it this year. It was a lot of fun to win every match and especially with the team too."
The Uppsala, Sweden native arrived on campus in January of 2007 and quickly made headlines and endured himself to Ole Miss fans everywhere. As a freshman he earned All-SEC honors. He never looked like a freshman, but a savvy veteran, coming up with clutch wins under pressure.
Playing in front of a rowdy crowd in Knoxville, Norberg, then a freshman, faced off against a Tennessee senior on Senior Day, and spoiled the Volunteers' fun, clinching a huge 4-3 victory for the Rebels. That would be just the beginning for the quiet winner. He leads the team with 10 career match-clinching wins. He hasn't stopped coming up with big wins whenever and wherever needed, whether at home or on the road.
In three years Norberg owns a 59-6 dual match record. Add to that his stellar 27-3 SEC record, and you can see why fans have become accustomed to marking him down as a win before he steps on the court.
"I love college tennis and playing for a team. It's not something you do (in Sweden). I like the team competition," Norberg said. "I don't really think about it too much. Every match you just try to play your best and try to win. You just have to fight hard. (Pressure) doesn't bother me too much. I just try to stay focused on my match."
With four freshmen in the lineup last year, the 2009 team became the second Rebel squad to go undefeated in league play, and it all started with a huge opening weekend at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. In front of a packed house, the Rebels defeated top-five foes Georgia and Tennessee.
"The win over Georgia set the tone for the entire (SEC) season," Norberg said. "After winning those two matches the first weekend the team felt that nothing could stop us. The crowd played such an important role in our success."
Norberg says he enjoys playing in front of the record-setting crowds. The Rebels led the nation in average attendance in 2009.
"It makes a big difference when the crowd is into it. Our success at home proves this," Norberg said with a smile. "This is what makes Ole Miss and college tennis special. You don't get this experience back in Sweden, unless you make it (to the big stage)."
During his freshman season, the Rebels had two seniors and then in 2008 there were four. Last year the Rebels had two senior All-Americans leading the way. This year Norberg is the lone senior on the squad.
"We have a great team, and everybody gets along well," Norberg said. "I've enjoyed the experience so far, and I look forward to closing out my career with more championships."
Gone are senior All-Americans Jonas Berg and Bram ten Berge, who graduated. NCAA Champion Devin Britton turned pro. That's a lot of wins. But with the success returning players Tucker Vorster, Marcel Thiemann and Chris Thiemann have had this fall and the outstanding debut of freshman Adrian Forberg Skogeng, Norberg says don't be surprised if the Rebels are hoisting another SEC Championship trophy in 2010.
"No one really expected us to be as good (as we were) last year, and we ended up winning the SEC and the SEC Tournament and finished No. 4 (in the nation). I definitely believe we can have that same type of success this year. That would be great."