Tennis senior plays peacemaker for squad

By By Eric Jorgensen

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Some tennis players shoot glances at opponents or yell obscenities out of frustration, but not senior tennis player Christine Skoda.

The Edmonton, Ontario, senior doesn’t have to display a temper to win tennis matches.

“I’m told that I’m too nice,” Skoda said. “I’m the easiest person to play against, mentally. I’m not mean.”

Jared Soares/KANSAN

Senior tennis player Christine Skoda poses at Robinson Tennis Courts. The Jayhawks will look to the senior for leadership during the upcoming season.

Being nice didn’t take away from her game, though. Her positive outlook helped her earn two Big 12 Conference Player of the Week awards: one during her sophomore year and another one last year.

Kansas tennis coach Amy Hall-Holt said Skoda’s on-court demeanor led to players and coaches occasionally joking around with her.

“We tease her and tell her to show more emotion and fight,” Hall-Holt said. “Skoda doesn’t let anger get in the way; she doesn’t show emotions. That’s just Skoda; that’s who she is.”

Skoda’s laid-back mentality molded her into the team leader for the Jayhawks. The sports and fitness management major said she noticed that other tennis teams struggle with internal problems.

She said she wanted to make sure this didn’t happen with the Kansas tennis team on her watch.

“You hear stories about how other teams have girls that fight and don’t get along,” Skoda said. “Since I was a freshman, our team has always gotten along. The chemistry is good.”

Skoda said she learned the game of tennis from her older brothers and her parents, who were all tennis players.

She started playing tennis when she was five or six. Like many young players, Skoda said she watched tennis and emulated certain techniques, like the ones of her brothers.

“My dad said I have one brother’s forehand and the other’s backhand,” Skoda said. “This is good, because I got the good one from each.”

Skoda said she was able to reach a high skill level by playing with and against her brothers and parents. She said they elevated her game to the next level.

“Just making it to college tennis is probably my best achievement yet,” Skoda said.

After this year, Skoda said she will continue to play tennis for recreational purposes.

“I’m excited,” Skoda said. “I know I’m not going to stop playing tennis. I have my family to play against.”

—Edited by Becca Evanhoe

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