After winning a big match, Katie Kirby knew she had to call her dad and let him know the good news. Being away from her dad is hard, and it’s because of him that Kirby is playing tennis in the first place.

Kirby was four years old when she started playing tennis with her dad. Her younger sister got into it as well, and to this day her sister and dad are her biggest fans and support system, along with being her biggest influences.

“My dad loved the sport, and he wanted to introduce his kids to it,” Kirby said. “I immediately fell in love with it.”

She played tennis for Mountain Range High School in Westminster and she loved her team, her coach and the school itself. As a junior, she finished fifth at No. 2 singles, and her senior year she earned all-conference accolades in tennis.

“The school was very involved in every sport, and it was always fun stepping on the court with the school behind me,” Kirby said.

When college time rolled around, Kirby chose CMU because of the facility and the scenery of the school. At first the transition was tough for her, but she quickly got used to the freedom and the whole college experience.

“It was quite the adjustment from my parents always being near me to not having them,” Kirby said.

She did adjust, though, and learned the balance between school and tennis. She has even earned some notable wins this season. Kirby went 2-0 at No. 6 singles and 2-0 at No. 3 doubles against No. 8 Dallas Baptist and No. 4 Cameron, which earned her RMAC Player of the Week honors.

Along with that, Kirby loves all the amazing friendships that come from such a close team, which is where she met one of her best friends.

“My favorite part is the team,” Kirby said. “Everyone on the team is so close, and it makes traveling so much fun.”

almahan@mavs.coloradomesa.edu