Thanks to Kelsey Brown and Allie Knox, Ironwood Ridge’s girls tennis team has a significant advantage against just about anyone it faces this season.
The two seniors paired up to win the Division II doubles state championship last season and helped the Nighthawks reach the team semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Catalina Foothills.
With Brown and Knox back along with five other seniors, coach Susan Williams is optimistic about her girls’ chances this season.
“We have no less than state championship expectations,” Williams said. “I think our team this year is a little deeper than it was last year; we’ve got a lot of seniors and some really talented freshmen.”
While everyone knows Kelsey and Allie are champs on the court, the Star sat down with the two to get to know them a little better. Here’s what they had to say:
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How long have you been playing tennis, and who first got you into playing?
Brown: “I’ve been playing for about 11 years now. My dad used to play on the pro circuit, and he’s the one that first got me interested in tennis.”
Knox: “I’ve been playing nine-ish years now. I have a twin brother and older brother who both play; it’s always been a pretty big sport in the family.”
Who is your favorite pro player?
Brown: “I like Karolina Pliskova. I really like her name and the way that she plays the game.”
Knox: “Probably Eugenie Bouchard. She’s good on the court, and she looks good doing it.”
When you’re not playing tennis, how do you spend your time?
Brown: “Video games. I really like the Lego video games, I think they’re really fun.”
Knox: “I like to hang out with family and friends, that’s my main thing. Otherwise, I really like food. I’m always trying new places and trying to find things that I like. The Hub by UA, they have the best ice cream.”
What kind of music to do you listen to?
Brown: “Oldies. I really like classic oldies, pretty much anything from the ’60s up to the ’80s. I don’t really have a favorite; they’re all good.”
Knox: “Reggae. I’m a big reggae person, but I also like alternative or really chill music. I can only think of maybe five bands I’m listening to right now.”
What are your expectations going into this season?
Brown: “As far as team state, I think we’re going to get really far. We’ve got a really deep team this year; I think we could do it this year. As far as doubles, I think that we’re going to do it again.”
Knox: “I think we’ve got a really good team, really good coaches, and we’re a really tight-knight group of people, so I think that we’ll get really far in both team and doubles this year.”
If you need a winning shot in a match, what’s your go-to?
Brown: “In doubles, it’s up the alley. Any side, doesn’t really matter.”
Knox: “Any chance I get, I try to get an overhead, just to smash it and get the point over with.”
Allie Knox
Kelsey Brown
