Pine-Richland sophomore Kendall Kirkland finds success in singles tennis – Pittsburgh Tribune-Evaluate

By: Jerin Steele

Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 11:01 AM

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Kendall Kirkland performed second doubles for Pine-Richland as a freshman, and after getting a really feel for varsity tennis she spent the offseason making an attempt to enhance her recreation.

Her aim was to turn into a singles participant, and the work she put in paid off.

Not solely did she attain her aim, however she has been an enormous a part of a superb season for the Rams.

Pine-Richland received eight matches in a row coming into its part finale in opposition to North Allegheny and clinched a spot within the WPIAL Class 3A workforce event for the 18th consecutive 12 months.

“I’ve been taking part in tennis for some time and I all the time practiced some after the season, however after final season I began taking part in extra tournaments on the weekends and working towards much more than I ever had earlier than,” Kirkland mentioned. “I used to be working towards 5 to 6 days per week. To get to singles has been wonderful.”

The surge as a sophomore included a profitable run within the Part 2-3A singles event. Kirkland superior to the semifinals and took residence fourth place to qualify for the WPIAL singles event. She determined to withdraw from the event for private causes, however competing properly in sectionals in her first strive was an expertise she’ll take along with her into the longer term.

“I used to be actually excited for it, as a result of it was an honor to characterize my faculty,” Kirkland mentioned. “The event was robust. I had a good time and there was good competitors, however it was actually bodily and mentally exhausting. We have been there from 10:45 a.m. to five:30 p.m.. You play a match then you definitely get a 10-to-15-minute break and also you’re proper again on the market once more. It was exhausting, however actually rewarding on the identical time.”

Kirkland mentioned she plans on coming into the Part 2-3A doubles event with teammate Lily Hinds and hopes to advance to the WPIAL doubles event.

Her first 12 months of taking part in singles at Pine-Richland has been an eye-opening expertise. She mentioned it’s way more of a psychological recreation than doubles.

“In doubles you could have the fixed help of your accomplice and also you get to know them properly and when issues begin to go south you could have that in-built help,” Kirkland mentioned. “In singles, typically it will possibly really feel like it’s all on you, particularly once you’re having a tough day. However singles can also be lots of enjoyable, as a result of you could have much more open area on the court docket to play with. There’s lots of various things you are able to do. There’s freedom in doubles, however there are totally different guidelines and methods to win the purpose, as a result of you could have two gamers on the court docket.”

Jerin Steele is a contract author

Tags: Pine-Richland