New Faces of Kohawk Tennis - LAURA BIRKY

My name is Curtis Newman.  I am a senior on the Men's tennis team and I am doing an internship this school year with Coach Rodgers, Coach Kris, and Coach Brad.  I will be posting each Monday morning to give you some inside information on one of our freshmen tennis players.  This week will be about Laura Hensley-Birky.

Name: Laura Hensley-Birky  
      

Birthdate: 11/27/93

Hometown: I was born here in Cedar Rapids and have lived here my entire life.

Favorite Tennis Player: Roger Federer is my favorite tennis player.  He’s my favorite because he is the best player ever.  I also like him because he makes tennis look easy and makes you want to be a better player.

Favorite non-tennis sport/hobby: Volleyball is my favorite sport to play besides tennis.  I’ve been around volleyball my entire life and started playing competitively when I was 8.  

General background information:  My parents are Tom and Kathy Birky.  We have 2 dogs – Maggie (beagle) and Lucy (Belgian shepherd).   I have 4 older sisters: Sarah, Teresa, Katie and Elizabeth.  I am also an aunt! I have 8 amazing nieces and nephews.  As I was growing up I played softball, volleyball, and tennis.  In high school I played volleyball and tennis.  In volleyball I was a 3 year varsity player (setter) making an appearance in 2 state tournaments.  In tennis I was a 4 year varsity player making an appearance in 1 state tournament.  Tennis awards I received in high school include: Second team all-conference, second team all-metro, first team all-conference, and first team all-metro, and team captain for 2 years.  

What separates you from everyone else:

I love being part of a team and feel strongly about doing well for not only myself, but for the whole team.  Playing team sports and coming from a big family I understand the importance of working together as individuals to attain the goal of the group.  That may be one reason why I love playing doubles so much!  I always play my best when my outcome is going to affect my team.  Whether I am playing on the court or sitting on the sideline, you will see me supporting my teammates.  I am excited to be part of the Kohawk tennis team!

Weekend Recap

Coach Brad and myself played in the Elmcrest Country Club Pro-Am to support Alzheimer's.  Highlights:
-  Emmie serving as, in her words, a "ball buddy".
-  Upon being thanked for throwing a ball in, Emmie asking BJ, "How do you know my name?"
-  Coach Rodgers, Brad and I getting 90 minutes in on the Elmcrest clay after Pro-Am play wrapped up on Saturday.
-  Coach Rodgers spending the next 35 minutes grooming that clay court.  No doubt dreaming (the entire time) of having his own one day.
-  129 mph serve to win the Fast Serve Contest (NOT by Brad or I)
-  Since rain, a LONG day of play at Coe today.
-  Emmie informing Coach Rodgers that she, not he, was in charge of the Racquet Center.  Coach held his ground despite tears.

Notes from last week:
-  The women actually kicked off Monday's practice with Zumba; instructed by Tai of course.  Newcomers Diannah & Brittany have some rhythm!  I do not.  But am learning.
-  Laura notched me in practice.  Her jaw dropped in surprise as she waited for my reaction.  I was ecstatic, which eased her trepidation.  In that same practice, Sara notched Brad.  She was not nearly as surprised, nor fearful at all.  Believe we got a fist pump instead.

Video of Woolf on Coe's climbing wall....

Will also repost Woolf's fast hands video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqGo9A3yDiA

Kohawk Tennis pool party Monday night!  Pictures to come.

School year kicks off tomorrow.  A Fall line-up for you on the blog:
Monday - New Faces of Kohawk Tennis
Tuesday - The Kroll Report
Wednesday - 16 Weeks to Better Health (weekly featured recipe within)
Thursday - Coach Brad Chiming In....not themed, or titled yet.
Friday - Picture of the Week
Additional input/posts throughout including Coach Rodgers' weekend previews and recaps, etc.

Week 1....

We're 3 days into practice/season.....the women (all 12 of them!) wrapped up their 15th hour on court this morning.  Thought I had posted pictures from my phone on Opening Day, but it appears that the post did not go through.  A couple of pictures below.  Great progress thus far!

Mid-way through practice, and randomly, Hoff asked me for a pumpkin muffin.  Guess it is an expectation now that I provide them?  I did eventually bring her a gingerbread cookie.....as that was what Emmie insisted we bake the night prior.  Her nutrition must be working.....covering quite the distance in the pictured Alley Hops.  Small, but Mighty!

7 new Kohawk men moved onto campus this morning also.  We arranged a quick meet and greet at the end of women's practice to go over administrative tasks.  Wish had snapped a picture of the group.  Each Monday, the blog will feature a New Faces post so you can get to know the new members.

Tom Jennings ('08) stopped in to the office today to say hello.  He is a teaching pro at Westfield Tennis Club in Cedar Rapids; along with Rusty Graff ('93).  As alums pop in, my first order of business is to rid the tennis office of 20+ years of "paperwork" that has accumulated.....ordered pictures, ITA Scholar Athlete Certificates, NCAA Tournament Participant Certificates, Coe Varsity Awards, etc.  I tasked Tom with presenting to Rusty his Certificate from 1991.  For all other alums, please come in to collect (and say hi) or give me permission to dispose of.  Note the STACK of awards pictured below.

Tom was also introduced to Brad.  They were reminiscing about their own college days, and the fact that Coe had played UT-Tyler in the Spring of 2007.  Tom griped about having to walk through a golf course to get to the courts.....apparently, there was a marathon taking place so parking was limited; rumor has it that Coach Rodgers was not pleased??  We pulled the scorebook (more paperwork that fills the office; Tom & Brad pictured studying it below) only to discover that Tom and Brad had played each other in doubles.  Tom and TJ Leicht won that doubles match, and Coe won the meet 6-3.  For the record of course.

The Schupbach family pictured below also.  Andrea graduated from Coe in 2010 as a Doubles All-American, and now serves as an Admission Counselor for Coe!  Michelle (striking a forehand above) is a nursing major, one of our current seniors/leaders, and plays at the top of our Singles and Doubles line-up (Singles and Doubles Conference Champion last year).  As evidenced by the family portrait, the Schupbach's consider Coe a part of their family, and Coe / Kohawk Tennis is very fortunate because of it. 

Emmie started a new school year on Tuesday.  Her teacher, Mrs. Jackie Adair, was a golfer at Coe.  She also begins gymnastics this evening.

IA Midlands Adult Open

Along with the Iowa Open (played and recapped 3 weeks ago), Midlands is another popular Eastern Iowa tournament.

In the Men's Open field, 5th seeded Curtis Newman ('13) defeated two GAC players, 2nd seeded Mya Smith-Dennis (GAC #2) and 7th seeded Logan Peterson, en route to the final where he fell to top seeded, Amrik Donkena (GAC #1).

Warren Lock took the crown in Men's 55 Singles.  Warren was my first ever tennis coach, and is a face often seen in the Racquet Center hitting tennis balls with his daughter, a Coe student.  Warren had some success in his playing days as well....Davis Cup to be specific.  Lock also took the 55 Doubles Title, partnered with Richard Tubbs, and defeating Steve Tyler (Head Coach, Central) in the Final.

Chuck Lampe pulled out of 4.5 Men's Singles with an injury.  Will have to check up on him this week. I do give him credit for playing 4.5 this year; where he belonged last year.

Dating back to the Iowa Open, I failed to mention that Scott Nau, and his partner Patrick Deignan, won the Men's 45 Doubles draw.  Doc Nau (along with his wife, Gail Nau) consistently support Kohawk Tennis, and are seen in the Racquet Center a few times each week.  Luckily, I and many other members of the Kohawk Tennis family, can text/call him when advice is needed on the medical side and he is "out of the office"....aka playing tennis.

Yes, I tried to sleep between my last post (2 hours ago) and this.  Did I mention that season starts first thing Monday morning?  Believe Coach mentioned having had trouble sleeping Saturday night.  And no doubt Coach Brad is anxious to get going as well!

Team Dinner!

Women's team arrived to campus today!  We kicked off the season with a dinner in the Racquet Center for players, parents, family, etc.  5 players returned, 7 joined.  12 in total to double our squad size!

Anyone have an Entertainment Center they can donate to clean up the corner, game systems, television, etc?  An upcoming project!

Can't wait for 8:30 AM practice!  Conditioning within.  :)  Pictures and recap to come!

Per request (from this evening's dinner), I am re-posting my pumpkin muffin recipe.  Pumpkin is a SuperFood, and Dark Chocolate is included as such in the second edition.  I usually double the recipe below.

• 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
• 1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Can (16 Ounces) Pure Pumpkin 
• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup Agave Nectar 
• 1/4 Cup Applesauce (when recipe is doubled, this amounts to one small container; cinnamon flavored applesauce is fine)
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
• 1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Mix all ingredients together.....using a spatula is fine; needn't have a mixer.  Bake at 350 for approximately 22 minutes.  When doubled, makes approximately 36 muffins.

Also pictured below......Emmie had two days off of school this past week.  She spent part of that time in the Racquet Center.  Built a "transportation city" with Lindsay; it expanded considerably after this picture was taken.  And brought Kelsey's childhood days back to her by re-introducing snap bracelets.

Office, Screens, Emmie & Tomatoes!

New windscreens (with logo) on the courts!  Looks very slick.  A project Coach Rodgers took the lead on this Summer.

While Coach was away for his annual walkabout last year, the office was painted (gold with crimson accents).  The countertops were also epoxied so as to rid us of the 20 year old green laminate.  This year, the cabinets, doors and trim were sanded and refinished.  The office was also cleaned/gutted....Kelsey and I purged much and remain thankful that we held onto, and found, the two remotes that control the main foyer TV's....they were missing for a half day and Coach was not happy!  Thanks go Kelsey, Lindsay and Shishir for their help!  Pumpkin muffins for all coming soon!

Since on the topic of SuperFoods (pumpkin).....like that transition :)......tomatoes are in season!  Emmie and I spent some time in the garden of close friends of mine (Kylie and Ryan) and my Aunt Verla (she is 89 years old and full of life) this past weekend.  With an excess of fresh tomatoes, I found a recipe to roast and freeze them for Winter stews, chili and/or spaghetti sauce:
Roasted Roma Tomatoes (can substitute any other variety as well)
I have also promised Verla and Kylie pumpkin muffins in exchange for the wonderful produce.

Also pictured, Coach giving Emmie a tennis lesson in the Racquet Center!  Earlier in the day, I received a call from her school stating that she was sick and I needed to pick her up.  In reality, and in her own words, "I choked on a pea at lunch, and my stomach didn't like it."  She was grinning from ear to ear when I picked her up, whilst all of the other kids were sanctioned to nap time.

Brad arrives today.  He is in Wichita, KS en route now.  Practice starts Monday.  Orientation Wednesday!

Back & Prepping for the 20th!

Well, I did make it back to Cedar Rapids last weekend, and have been swamped with preparation for the upcoming school year and Fall Season. Ladies begin on Monday, August 20th at 830am! Just today finished up the Practice Plans for the first three days(7 practices). I have also been failing in my attempts to keep up with Coach Kris. She(along with Lindsey, Kelsie, and Shishir) tore apart the Pro Shop for re-modeling, got me to purchase a microwave and pizza oven for the Kohawk Tennis Lounge, is immersed in a two-week fruit/vegetable(?) smoothie cleansing process, is wrapping up uniform, hat and swag purchases, and working out twice daily. Pro shop pics forthcoming! Joe and I will be putting up new windscreens on the outdoor courts next week. Hopefully, Laura will help Joe out too! A surprise should be included in the new windscreens also. Again pics to follow upon installation! Until then, a couple of final pics from my Western sojourn.

West Lake, near Red Feather Lakes, CO, Roosevelt NF

And a vista from Theodore Roosevelt NP, ND

Coach out West!

Coach Rodgers is currently meandering somewhere out West on his annual walkabout.  He has limited access to cell phone service, but managed to send me a few pictures to share with the rest of you.

Seems peaceful.  Without the daily demands of 32+ players, extensive Racquet Center hours, stringing, or emails/texts from me!  On the other hand, that is exactly what keeps he and I going.  I'm sure Coach will return to us with pages and pages of notes on his yellow legal pad(s).  Despite our dislike for meetings (mostly because sitting still), I fully expect an extensive meeting on how to better Kohawk Tennis.  Brad will be in attendance also....I state so as a fair warning to him!  :)

Fenter to join the Kohawks!

Kohawk Tennis welcomes a new face to the coaching staff!  Coach Rodgers and I are excited to add Brad's talent to the mix; he possesses a wealth of playing and practical experience in the liberal arts setting.  Brad's academic profile, and on court success (doubles All American), stands for itself.  I personally am excited to have a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in the Racquet Center also.  Complete bio for Brad Fenter below.  

Brad Fenter joined the Coe College coaching staff in the Fall of 2012.  Fenter began his tennis career in his hometown of Vernon, Texas, where he won a State Championship in Mixed Doubles.  Fenter then attended college, and played for the Patriots, at the University of Texas at Tyler.  While at UT Tyler, Fenter was a four year letterman during some of the most successful years in program history.

Starting in 2008, Fenter would be a part of three consecutive Southwest Conference Championships, which each culminated in NCAA tournament appearances.  During this time, the Patriots would twice advance to the Sweet 16.  In the fall of 2009, Fenter was the ITA Southwest Region doubles champion along with partner, Nick Kreines.  At the end of the 2009-10 school year, Fenter was named an All-American in doubles. 

Fenter was also a standout in the classroom.  He was a three-time student athlete of the year finalist from 2008 to 2010 and was inducted into the prestigious Chi Alpha Sigma athlete honor society in the Spring of 2010.  Fenter graduated magna cum laude in May 2010 with a degree in Kinesiology and began work on his Master’s degree in the Fall of 2010.  Fenter expects to complete, and be awarded his Master’s in the Fall of 2012.

For the past two years, Fenter has been an Assistant Coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Tyler.  During his time as an assistant, the men and women each captured consecutive Conference Championships.

Fenter is also certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA).

Baird Iowa Open

The Baird Iowa Open was contested in Cedar Rapids this past weekend.  Kohawk Tennis was a factor.

Both the Men's and Women's Open Doubles finals were ALL COE!  Curtis Newman ('13) paired with Scott Stegemann ('11) to defeat Jeff Damisch ('14) and Mike Woolf ('14) in the final.  Newman and Stegemann defeated Tom Jennings ('08) and Rusty Graff ('93) in the semi-final, while Woolf/Damisch knocked off top seeded and fellow IIAC coaches, Matt Tyler (Wartburg) and Patrick Cote (Cornell; now part of the Midwest Conference).

I paired with Molly Garber (Fiala '09) to top Jackie Pedersen (standout freshman for us this past year) and Laura Birky ('16) in the final.

As always, the Fiala family was in full swing over the weekend.  Dad, Mark, once again did a great job serving as the tournament director!  Mom, Mary, paired with Lin Driscoll (mother to Lindsay Driscoll, '07), in Women's Open Doubles.  Experience prevailed as they defeated Jordan Ferree ('15) and Elizabeth Hoffmann ('14) in a battle; whilst Megan Fiala ('10) and Lindsay sat courtside calculating the fact that their mothers more than tripled the age of their foes.  Mary and Lin then played Molly and I in the semi-final.  Lin asked Megan for advice during the match...."Don't hit it to them." Megan also paired with older sister, Mindy, to compete in Open Doubles.

Megan watched my daugther, Emmie, during the Open Doubles final.  Emmie later asked me if it was okay that Megan had given her Rice Christmas Treats.

The Mixed Open Doubles Final also had Coe grads on each side of the net.  Molly Fiala and Tom Jennings defeated Phil Williams ('04) and Tiffany Earl.

I played both Birky and Pedersen en route to the Open Singles Final, where I was defeated by Heather Fleming.  Heather and her husband, BJ, recently took 3rd at Husband-Wife Mixed Doubles Nationals (they have won the title in years past).

Jennings also represented Coe in the Men's Open final; losing to Tyler.  Damisch, Alex Klaas ('14), and Newman each advanced to the quarters, and Riley Galbraith ('16) the semi.  Jennings knocked off both Klaas and Galbraith in third set tiebreakers.

Thanks to Betty Damisch, we of course have more pictures for you also!  The third picture above is so typical of Klaas, is it not?  Many other members of the Coe family were part of the event.  Thanks to all for making it an enjoyable weekend of tennis and fun!