Kelsi Oliphant '13 Recruiting Profile

I am 17 years old and live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I was initially introduced to tennis when I was 6 years old at the Calgary Winter Club. Every since then Tennis has been my passion and love. I’m a diligent worker on and off the court and also strive constantly to improve on my mental game. Fitness is a large part of my training regiment and I make sure I’m always in top condition to ensure my best performance on the court. My fitness trainer designed workouts that include endurance, sprints, movement, strength, and also flexibility. I’ve dedicated my whole life to the game and with that I have achieved many great accomplishments throughout my career. Here is an overview:

• 2- time Girls Singles Provincial Champion 
• 3- time Girls Doubles Provincial Champion
• Competed in 9 Canadian National Championships 
• Ranked 21st in Canada (17-18 age group)
• Ranked 43rd in all of Canada 
• Ranked 2nd in Alberta U18 Girls
• 2012 Airdrie U18 Junior Open - Finalist
• 2012 Canadian Saville ITF - Lost in the round of 16 to 2nd seed from Japan 7-6 (8-6) 6-4
• Calgary Winter Club 2012 Ladies Open Club Champion
• Calgary Winter Club 2012 Mixed Open Champions
• Calgary Winter Club 2012 Open Ladies Doubles - Finalist
• Calgary Tennis Club 2012 Ladies Open Singles - Champion
• 2012 Racquet Central Babalot Open - Round of 16
• Orange Bowl - First round loss (tight 3 sets)
• Americas Cup - First Round loss
• Casely International Tournaments -  Runner up & 3rd place finishes.
• Gang-won Korea/Team Alberta Tennis Exchange - Played Singles, Doubles & Mixed and finished with a record of 5-2 during the 12 day trip.
• 2012 Hawaii State Junior Championships - Consolation Champion (record of 4-1 in tourney)
• 2012 Glacier Junior Open Champion U18

As I have many athletic accomplishments I also have strived to do several volunteer activities throughout my life. 

• Active supporter of Heart Beats Children’s Society of Calgary.  This group supports children with heart disease and their families.  I participate yearly in preparing and delivering Christmas Hampers to heart families in need, also just recently ran 10 kms in the Heart Beats Family Fun
• Run during October 2011.  My mom and I occasionally make visits to heart children who are in the hospital.  This group is very important to me as my sister is a child born with heart disease.
• Volunteered with Operation Christmas Child.
• Volunteered with the Mustard Seed, Christian Organization.
• Raised $1750.00 for the CIBC Run for the Cure to support Breast Cancer.
• Volunteered to assist teaching young kids tennis at CWC.

I participated in the 2010- 2011 Alberta – Gangwon Tennis Friendship Exchange and found it to be very rewarding.  To play in friendly competition versus the Korean’s was excellent to help develop my tennis skills.  The highlight of the exchange for me was having Lee, Hye Jin and Kim, Young Bin join my family and me for dinner, and show them where I live and experience a bit of my life in Canada.  We still communicate via email on occasion.

This opportunity has provided me a clear understanding of sport and cultural exchange and that sports are about participation.  Sport brings individuals and communities together no matter what language you speak, or the color of your skin.  Sport teaches us skills such as discipline, confidence, leadership and respect.  We learn to manage victory, as well as defeat.  When all of these aspects come together, sport breaks down all cultural barriers and allows us to compete and form life long friendships.

I have had many opportunities and experiences thanks to tennis but my ultimate goal is to compete at a collegiate level. Not only do I dream of having a successful tennis career in college but also being a strong student-athlete as well. Its important for me to strive and achieve a high quality of education on the way also. 

Kelsi Oliphant