Quick Q&A: New Life Academy tennis player Kolin Kiekhoefer

May 10, 2013 at 10:14PM
Kolin Kiekhoefer
Kolin Kiekhoefer (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

In 2012 Kolin Kiekhoefer became the first player from New Life Academy to play in the state tournament. The senior is currently No. 9 in the Class 1A singles rankings.

How does it feel to be ranked? I like it! It shows that hard work pays off.

It's a big deal for New Life also, I assume? It's cool to see our little school on the map. It shows we can play with the big guys.

How did last year's state tournament appearance influence your game? It's been a big motivation for me. I knew I had to raise my game to play with [players like] Myles Tang and Charlie Adams. So I played five, six, seven days a week.

Has it helped? I'm stronger and I can finish points. I can hang with them.

After last year, the goal has to be the state tournament, right? Last year I was just happy to be there. I didn't care about winning. This year, I'm hoping to make a deep run.

How did you start playing? When I was 10, my parents took me to a tennis lesson. I developed a passion for it. I love watching it, I love playing it.

Your strength? I keep the ball in the court and make [my opponents] make mistakes, then I put them away.

Must-haves: My Babolat racquet and my Babolat shoes.

Why Babolat? When I was young, my hero was Andy Roddick. He used Babolat, so I did, too.

JIM PAULSEN

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