Thursday, March 5, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Sim lost K-State loyalty
KU senior adds team leadership to tennis court
By Erin Thompson
Kansan sportswriter
The only Kansas native on the women's tennis team, Christie Sim, once had loyalties to a certain school in Manhattan. Kan.
She never thought she would play at Kansas.
The senior grew up in Lea-
wood, just a stone's throw from
Lawrence. But Sim grew up
watching and cheering for
Kansas State University, where
her sister Suzanne played tennis.
"I didn't want to go to KU at all.
My entire family went to K-State," she said. "I grew up not
really liking KU. Plus, I wanted
to go somewhere far away from
home."
Now, not only is she a part of the program, but also she is a team leader and shares time at the No.1 singles spot.
When recruiting began in high school, Sim met former Kansas tennis coach Chuck Merzbacher, and he convinced her to come to Lawrence.
"She provides leadership along with Kylie Hunt at the top," said Kansas tennis coach Roland Thornqvist. "It's the fourth year for both, and they add a lot of leadership. They feed off each other."
Kansas women's tennis player Christie Sim, who splits time at the No. 1 singles spot with senior Kylie Hunt, prepares for a game with a practice session at Alvamar Raquet Club. Sim, who has won more than 40 matches, will play at 6 p.m. Friday at Alva mar. Photo by Eileen Bakri / KANSAN
Sim attended Shawnee Mission South High School, where she
The call of the courts came to Sim at 6 years old when she began playing at the Kansas City Racquet Club. When she was 12, Sim switched to the Alvamar Racquet Club, and two years later she was traveling to Lawrence every day to practice with her coach, Mike Wolfe.
"I always just loved it," she said. "I played every kind of sport growing up, and then I started quitting the others. I always played tennis and softball, but in seventh grade I quit softball and concentrated on tennis."
won state championships in 1992 and 1993. In 1993, she was named the Kansas high school player of the year.
During her first two seasons at Kansas, Sim won more than 40 matches at No.2 singles. But when Hunt injured her knee, Sim moved to the No.1 singles position.
In her year at the top spot, Sim won the Big 12 singles title, the No. 2 doubles title with teammate Kris Sell and was selected to the Big 12 All-Conference team.
The experience at No.1 helped Sim improve all aspects of her game.
"She learned a lot playing one as a junior against the tough national competition we play." Thornqvist said. "This year, we've seen a growth in her expectations and her belief that she can win. With her experience, she knows she can play with the top tier of college tennis. This
belief has allowed her to settle down and play her game."
Sim is climbing the Rolex College Tennis Rankings and has reached 25th in the nation. In the poll released Dec. 9, Sim jumped from No. 90 to No. 29, one of the largest jumps ever in college tennis.
This season, Sim set high expectations for the team and for herself. Her goals include winning the Big 12 team and individual titles, obtaining a No.1 team ranking in the region and qualifying for the NCAA Championships.
"As far as the team goals, I think we can do them." Sim said. "We're playing really well right now. Individually, I think I can do it."
Sim does not have definite plans for after graduation. She said her plans may include studying abroad or playing more tennis.
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