"At the Net" with Courtney Kilarski
12/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Senior Courtney Kilarski (Roseville, Calif.) has been a formidable presence on the court for the Pirates throughout her career. Kilarski boasts the second-best career singles winning percentage among current SHU players with at least one full season of experience. In doubles, she is a two-time qualifier for the ITA Regional Tournament.
During the fall 2011 schedule, Kilarski joined forces with a new partner, junior Karina Cordero (Maracay Estado Aragua, Venezuela). The pair went on to start the season by winning five of their first six matches. In the process, the team captured the first doubles title ever won by Seton Hall at the Quinnipiac Invitational and followed up by winning a consolation bracket at the Eastern Championships.
Kilarski joined "At the Net" this week to provide a look ahead to winter break and the start of the spring season.
Q: This is your fourth year as a member of the SHU tennis team. Can you compare this year's team to the previous Pirate teams you were a part of?
Kilarski: This year, we are more together as a team. I think one area you can definitely see that is in our doubles play. I think with the way we have been paired this year, we have been able to have success because our skills complement each other really well. For example, I play well from the baseline and Karina [Cordero] is good at the net. Also, our freshmen have come in and contributed right away. I think the biggest thing is about this team is we all support each other and we're all committed to winning.
Q: All of the team members have traveled a significant distance from home to play at Seton Hall. What impact do you think that has had on team chemistry?
Kilarski: It's funny because I feel like we're all from a different country. Even though I am from the United States (California), I am still a long way from home. We all go through similar things like missing our families but we have grouped together to form a support system. We are a small team so we do a lot of team activities and other things together that I think have made us closer as a team. Overall, I think the team looks to the seniors for leadership. Lizzie [Verow] has done a great job even though she has had to make adjustments of her own and I try to be there for my teammates as much as I can as well.
Q: During winter break, what is your approach to staying in playing shape while you're at home?
Kilarski: I can tell you that just because I'm home, that does not mean I won't be working hard. My dad has always been a big part of my training, so I will be working with him a lot. The day after I step off my flight, I will be right back on the court. We are very competitive on the court but if it wasn't for him I would not be where I am today. My sister plays tennis too so I'll definitely train with her as well. In all, I probably get on the court six days a week. Off the court, I run on my own and I will keep up with our regular lifting schedule.
Q: What do you think are some of the keys for the spring season for the team to reach the goal of qualifying for the BIG EAST Championship?
Kilarski: I think the biggest thing we need to do is secure the doubles point. In recent years and even in our one dual match of the fall, we have dropped so many matches by a 4-3 score. Having the doubles point is a huge advantage because you can split in singles and still win the match, as opposed to chasing four wins in singles. Doubles is something we have been focusing on in practice, primarily playing a more aggressive style and closing points more efficiently. We need to be one of the top-eight teams in order to qualify. Some teams that we will be battling closely with are Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Rutgers. In our conference there is not much that separates teams 6-13, so we will need to play well in each match and take advantage of our opportunities.
Q: You mentioned the importance of closing points. What type of mentality does it take out there to put opponents away?
Kilarski: As a senior, that is something I am finally developing a full understanding of. You have to eliminate fear and stress from the equation and focus on your timing. It's about taking the things you do on the practice court and implementing them during matches. You need to play without hesitation because with the speed of the game if you think twice, you're going to get left behind.
