ANGOLA, Ind. – Introducing the Trine University women's tennis class of 2020.
The 2019-20 tennis season was cut short by the outbreak of COVID-19. The women's team struggled during the fall portion of their season but were on the cusp of a turnaround as they finished their spring break slate of competition with a 3-1 record.
The team featured three seniors among its ranks including Claire Barnett (North Manchester, Ind. / Manchester), Kyra Braun (Portland, Ind. / Jay County) and Katie Simon (Paw Paw, Mich. / Paw Paw).
"These seniors deserved so much more than this and my heart breaks for all of this year's Trine tennis seniors," said head coach Erin Kolar, "Everyone worked so hard in the offseason to make one last impact. To get the big win for the team. To have one last chance to beat the opponents we've never beaten. To experience the feeling of stepping onto the court knowing it will be the last time they compete as a college athlete. It is one of the most beautiful, emotional experiences to witness. But the show must go on. They are all very intelligent, resilient adults and I know this will not slow them down."
To help make up for the class of 2020 missing out on their senior day recognition the following is the script for that event in its entirety:
CLAIRE BARNETT Manchester HS, North Manchester, Ind. Major: Biomedical Engineering
Honors/Awards: Trine President's List, Awarded Top Tau of sorority, President's Cup recipient
After Graduation: Plans to work at a biomedical device company before returning to school to become a physician's assistant.
Favorite Tennis Memory: So many valued memories is such a short time; the inner squad match between the Mongos and the Bad Donks, galentines in Stadium Hall, playing in the ARC under the Gala lights and grass rats.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I was certified in Minnesota s a trapshooting and sailing specialist.
Advice to my Teammates: Make the most out of every opportunity. Create hose memorable little moments. Be intentional. Lift up those around you. Step outside of your comfort zone as often as you can.
Message from Coach Kolar:
Even though Claire is graduating, this was her first season as a member of the tennis team. Claire added such a fun element to the team and to practices. She brought such positive energy with her each day and it really lifted everyone's spirits, mine included. Though I wish Claire would have come out for the team years earlier, I am thankful for even the short amount of time that we had together. Her positive attitude is so contagious I am certain she will be an asset wherever she ends up. Hopefully, she'll keep her racquet dusted off!
KYRA BRAUN Jay County HS, Portland, Ind. Major: Business Administration, MBA
Honors/Awards: Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, Ehinger Fellows member, Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society, SAAC member, Excellence in Business Administration Award (best in major), KSB marketing intern/graduate assistant, Summa Cum Laude, 2x Trine Tennis MVP Award, Trine Tennis Sportsmanship Award, Trine Tennis Go M.A.D. Award, Trine Tennis Teammate of the Year, 4x's MIAA Academic Athlete Award, ITA Academic Athlete Award
After Graduation: Plans to move to Fort Wayne and continue working full time at Parkview Health (and play tennis J).
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 37-24, Doubles record: 27-31
T-9th Overall in singles wins
T-9th Overall in doubles wins
Favorite Tennis Memory: 1. That time coach cried after we beat Covenant in Florida after the lights went out and delayed the match. 2. ITA's junior year (shout out to Otterbein) 3. All the mini-golf competitions on all four Spring Breaks!
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I broke my finger playing tennis in Florida freshman year. I graduated with my undergrad a year early. Also, I'm the funniest person ever.
Advice to my Teammates: Always remember your team. They are what makes tennis and life so fun. You win some, you lose some, but at the end of the day you all "Bolt Up"!
Message from Coach Kolar:
Kyra is special in so many ways. She was one of the first players I personally recruited and has played for all four years. I like to tell her story to new recruits and refer to her as the "diamond in the rough." When she came in as a freshman in the fall of 2016, I distinctly remember watching her hit the ball very well but it only landed in every now and then. Over the winter she worked extremely hard, added some spin and consistency to her game and "poof" all of a sudden she couldn't lose. She went on to almost single handily turned the program around.
That year she went 10-4 in singles and really gave everyone else a little hope. She actually broke her finger playing doubles on our spring break trip her freshman year but that didn't stop her! She splinted it up and kept right on playing. The year prior to Kyra the team finished ninth in the MIAA (dead last). Her freshman year the team finished seventh.
Her sophomore year Kyra went 15-5 in singles and the team finished fifth and actually qualified for the conference tournament! In the fall of her junior year she was plagued with a wrist injury which kept her out of many practices and sometimes meant she had to choose between playing singles and doubles. But she never thought about quitting, even when others thought it might be best.
She finished her undergraduate degree a year early so she could have easily called it quits especially since her wrist was still ailing her. But she didn't quit. She came back her senior year, landed a full time job at Parkview in Fort Wayne which meant commuting to and from work every day all while working on her MBA mostly via online classes. And still came to practice every day eager to put the work in.
Oh did I mention she has a 4.0? When I said Kyra was special I wasn't kidding. She has been such an integral part of the success of this team and I am so honored to have been her coach. She finishes her collegiate career tied for ninth in wins for both singles and doubles. She has definitely made her mark at Trine! I know she'll do great things in the world! Thank you for your steadfast commitment to this team, thank you for making a difference. When others ran away-you ran in ready to help. I am so thankful you did!
KATIE SIMON Paw Paw HS, Paw Paw, Mich. Major: Exercise Science Pre PT 3+3
Awards/Honors: Trine President's List, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, MIAA Student-Athlete Award, ITA Student-Athlete Award, Trine Honors Program, SAAC member
After Graduation: Plans to spend the next three years at Trine's Doctor of Physical Therapy School in Fort Wayne (And play tennis J)
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 13-15, Doubles record: 24-15
Favorite Tennis Memory: Making and playing in the conference tournament freshman year, Mini golfing in Florida on Spring break and all the times that coach took my breath away when she was driving the van.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I did a semester abroad in Scotland last fall. I accidentally booked an Airbnb in the ghetto of Rome and had a near-death experience.
Advice to my Teammates: Enjoy getting to play tennis with your best friends and never take a "fun-run" for granted.
Message from Coach Kolar:
Katie is one of the nicest, sweetest girls you'll ever meet. But don't let that exterior vibe fool you, inside she's got the fight of a tiger especially on the tennis court. She fit right in with the team from day one and hasn't looked back. She probably has the best topspin groundstrokes of anyone on the team and is willing to stay out on the court for as long as it takes to get the win. She is extremely intelligent and is always willing to help out a teammate. Her freshman year she partnered up with Kyra Braun and the duo went 13-5 in doubles while she went 10-10 in singles and really helped secure the 5th place conference standing and qualify for the conference tournament. I'm looking forward to following her education and career in PT. I know she's going to make a difference! Thank you for your commitment to this team!
