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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Hartono Making Her Presence Known
9/18/2014 | Women's Tennis
By Kim Ling,
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director
Ole Miss women's tennis head coach Mark Beyers welcomed back an experienced team this year, including three seniors and three juniors. Add to that a couple of talented freshmen, and the Rebels are primed to make their seventh consecutive NCAA appearance.
One of two freshmen hoping to impact the Rebels this year, Arianne Hartono (Meppel, Netherlands) didn't waste any time making her presence felt in the Rebels first tournament of the year last weekend, winning the Country Club of Little Rock Invitational in singles and doubles.
Hartono teamed with junior Mai El Kamash to win the doubles and then followed it up with an impressive three-set win against the University of Houston's top player, Desponita Vogasari, who is ranked No. 68 in the preseason ITA Singles Rankings.
"I was excited, but also nervous," said Hartono, of her first tournament with the Rebels. It was my first college trip, so I went there without any expectations. It was fun."
After teaming up with El Kamash to win the doubles title, Hartono returned to the court for a tough match against Vogasari. After winning the first set 7-6(3), Hartono admits to dropping her focus a little.
"I kind of lost my focus at the beginning of the second set, and she used that against me (lost 6-3). In the 3rd set, we broke each other every other game. It was a mentally tough match. She knew how to play me, but in the end, I was just a little bit better (won 6-3). I was playing on the offensive, and that's what helped me the most, being the aggressor."
Tennis is an individual sport and it can be lonely traveling and playing tournaments by yourself, but in college you have teammates, coaches and fans supporting you.
"I wasn't really used to the yelling between points, but it was a good thing. It helped me get into the matches, so I was glad to have it. I made a lot of Ole Miss friends from the club, and even fans from Arkansas. They were so nice and helpful. We stayed with host families, and they would support us every day. I really enjoyed it."
Hartono has only been on campus a little over a month, but she is starting to adjust to her new life and settling into a routine with classes and practice.
"It's starting to get a little busier now, I am starting to have tests and papers," she said. "The first week I struggled to find my way around, but I am getting more familiar with the campus now. I like the campus a lot, it's really pretty. Training and practices are going well. I am enjoying it here so far."
Adjusting to a new country can be challenging, which is why it's always nice to have a teammate, who not only understands what you are going through, but speaks the same language. For Hartono, that person is senior Iris Verboven, (Waalre, Netherlands).
"It's great having her on the team, if I need anything I can talk to her. Also the other girls are very nice, and they help me as well," Hartono said.
A newly created initiative has also helped Hartono meet other student- athletes on campus.
"They created a program called International Rebels, which is a pretty cool idea," Hartono said. "They are not all freshmen, so they have been kind of helping me, and telling me things about their experience here. It's really fun."
Hartono achieved a career-high ITF Junior World Ranking of No. 214 and No. 30 in the Dutch Senior Rankings. She was the runner-up at the 2013 Dutch Under-18 National Championships and the 2014 National Under-18 Indoor Champion. So what does Hartono have planned for her freshman year?
"Mostly, I just want to have a lot of fun and enjoy the college experience," Hartono said. "I'm just going to go out there, work hard and see what happens and see where it takes me. It's great how we support each other, and that part is really inspiring me. It's really nice to know that I have eight other teammates behind me, who are supporting me as much as I will support them."
