The University of Mississippi Athletics
Love at First Sight
11/11/2014 | Women's Tennis
By Kim Ling
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director
She was about 9 or 10 years old when her uncle started a tennis camp to honor her late grandfather, who played tennis. It was at that camp where Ole Miss women's tennis senior Iris Verboven discovered her future.
"My parents didn't play tennis," Verboven said. "My grandpa died at an early age, so my uncle wanted to start this tennis camp in honor of him. After my first lesson I fell in love right away and wanted to continue."
Verboven hasn't put down a racquet since.
Growing up in the Netherlands most boys want to play soccer, but Verboven says it wasn't that popular among girls when she was growing up. However, there was one other sport that she liked, which might not be familiar to a lot of people.
"I played a sport called korfball. It's very hard to explain, but it is kind of like basketball. It's played on a grass field outside, and the goal does not have a backboard; it was just a basket on a pole. It's also a co-ed sport, so men and women can play together."
At 13 years old when she was starting high school, Verboven realized tennis was the sport for her and one she wanted to continue playing beyond high school.
"Tennis is an international sport and you can do more with it," Verboven said. I liked it the most. It was not a hard decision for me when it came time to choose."
The only way to continue playing tennis and go to college meant Verboven would have to leave her home country to attend a university in the United States.
Ole Miss head coach Mark Beyers, also from the Netherlands, knew Verboven's coach and traveled to the Netherlands to watch her practice. She later came on a visit and fell in love with Oxford and Ole Miss right away.
"I remember how much I just loved the campus and the atmosphere. Everything is so beautiful and the people here are really nice," Verboven said.
Verboven has helped lead the Rebels to three NCAA appearances in each of her three years. Last year, she posted a 9-3 record at No. 6 singles, including a straight-set win to help mount a 4-3 comeback against Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
One of three seniors on the squad, Verboven is now in her third year playing doubles with fellow senior Erin Stephens. They are ranked No. 51 in the current ITA National Rankings and have played No. 1 doubles since teaming up together.
"We both have the same style of play, and I enjoy it when we are playing well and we are on the same page," Verboven said. " When the game is intense and we are playing well, it's like I know what she is going to do, and she knows what I am going to do next. We are also close friends, so that makes it easier."
Not only has Verboven made a difference on the court, but in the classroom as well. During her time at Ole Miss, the civil engineering major has learned to balance life on and off the court, becoming a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and helping the Rebels earn the prestigious ITA All-Academic Team Award each year.
"I enjoy all my classes," Verboven said. "We have to specify a practice area (in engineering), and I like structural, buildings, etc., so I am kind of leaning towards that. But I also like water, resources, dams, rivers, etc. I am open for anything. I plan to go back home and either start working right away or get my master's."
When Verboven arrived here four years ago, she had someone she could talk to who spoke her language, besides her coach. Now that she is a senior, Verboven is providing the same type of help and leadership to this year's freshmen class, which includes a fellow Dutch, Arianne Hartono.
"I told her to let me know if she needs anything, because I know when I got here it was not easy for me. Everything is so different for her, so I try to make sure she has help with all the important things," Verboven said.
Someone else who understands the rigors of balancing athletics with academics is her sister, Renee Verboven, who is currently a junior on the University of Missouri-St. Louis team.
"We talk a lot, but I don't get to see her very often. I am going to go see her for Thanksgiving, so I am very excited," Verboven said.
With the fall season in the books, Verboven is looking forward to the spring and savoring each moment as her career winds down.
"I am excited about the spring, because I believe we can have a great season," Verboven said. "I just want to enjoy the experience in my last year. I have enjoyed every year that I have been here, and I know that it will be bittersweet. I am trying to embrace every moment, because time is flying by."
