Double trouble for URI women's tennis

10/03/08 - The University of Rhode Island woman's tennis team boasts a strong cast of freshmen this year. The dynamic duo of twins Tristany and Kirsten Leikem head the group, which also includes teammate Pam Emery. Head coach Sandy Wood says that the twins have helped to make a significantly stronger team.

So far they have contributed to a successful formula, as the Rams have gone 3-0 in match play and performed very well in tournament play.

The twins have been rotating the top three singles spots with fellow freshman Pam Emery and have also rotated the top two doubles spots, showcasing dominance across the board.

"They know each other so well and it helps them communicate better on the court," Wood said. "It's a twin thing."

Success is something these twins are used to. They have been playing the game they love since the age of three.

"Our parents took us to the park when we were three and were trying to find something that we liked," said Kirsten. "They gave us tennis rackets and apparently we kept asking to go back because we liked it so much."

The enthusiasm soon inspired lessons, which eventually lead to competing in tournaments. By the time they had reached high school, they had finally begun reaping the benefits of all their hard work.

As freshmen in high school, the twins won their first doubles state championship. Together they continued to dominate every year, winning four state championships in a row.

"Winning four in a row is definitely my greatest achievement so far in tennis," said Kirsten, and Tristany agreed. It was the only time in the history of Arizona state that a doubles tandem had won four state championships in a row.

The girls didn't limit their success to the tennis court. Tristany finished third in her class and Kirsten finished fourth. They both took AP courses and took immense pride in their schoolwork.

"My greatest achievement off the tennis court would have to be raising my SAT scores high enough to get the Centennial Scholarship," said Kirsten. Tristany also mentioned her high class ranking as her greatest achievement.

The twins may have many of the same accomplishments but they are both their own person.

"On paper we're the same, but we're different people," said Kirsten.

They are both political science majors at URI, they both have mirror achievements through High School and they work together as a doubles tandem for the Rams.

Tristany is an avid reader and calls herself a "'Pride and Prejudice fanatic.' Kirsten loves politics and hopes to incorporate that love with her goal of becoming a lawyer. Tristany would rather write for a political magazine.

The girls attribute their success to their family at home.

"We have the greatest family on earth," Kirsten said, while Tristany added, "I miss them more than anything."

Their parents are still back in Arizona, in a town some 2,600 miles away. Tristany and Kirsten traveled far away in search of something new.

"URI gave us the best offer and we liked the area," said Tristany. "We like it a lot so far but it's a big adjustment."

They deal with the struggles of adjusting to college life just as many freshmen do.

"It's not as easy as I thought it was going to be," said Kirsten. "We're adapting to an entirely new environment in Rhode Island."

"It has rained more this past weekend than it would in a year in Arizona," added Tristany.

Both girls said they look forward to a northeast snowstorm, although they may have to travel away from Rhode Island to experience that.

"I've only seen snow twice in my life," said Kirsten. They are banking on their roommate and best friend from home, Liz, to take them to New Hampshire to visit her relatives so they can experience a real New England snowstorm.

At the moment they are focusing their attention on the fall tennis season.

"I think we have an incredible team," Tristany said. "I expect us to gradually come together and help one another get better," added Kirsten.

The girls want to do whatever they can to help the team. "I hope that I can do well by combining hard work and good attitude," said Kirsten. "I look forward to every match," added Tristany.

The Rams will be at home today at 3 p.m. against Hofstra University.