By Stacy Pappas, UND athletics media relations
Senior Lindsey Whiting, from Bemidji, Minn., will play an important role in helping the UND women's tennis team make a return trip to the NCAA regional tournament this year. Last season, the Sioux entered the tournament with a record of 18-3 and was outplayed by Northwest Missouri State in the first round and was eliminated. Whiting shined last year with her doubles partner, junior Emma Hustad, as the duo won 10 matches at the #2 doubles spot.
With a fresh year in front of them, the Fighting Sioux are already 2-0 this season, having won dominating performances against Bemidji State and Minnesota-Duluth. UND won both those matches by scores of 9-0. Last weekend against the Bulldogs, Whiting was victorious in the #3 singles spot and also took the win in the #2 doubles spot.
The Fighting Sioux women's tennis team plays its home games at Center Court Fitness Center. They have a home stretch weekend starting tonight (Friday, Feb. 22) at 4 p.m.
"We have great fans that come out and support us at Center Court," Whiting said. "They are kind of crazy tennis fans. We all know each other pretty well, and they're always there to cheer us on. They're awesome!"
Last year, anyone looking up Whiting would have found her as Lindsey Folkert. However, she was married this past year and looks forward to starting a family once college is over. Whiting is a nursing major first and foremost and keeps very busy.
"Balancing school and tennis has been quite a challenge," Whiting said. "In some instances, I've had to choose school over tennis when doing my nurse practicum , which can take an entire weekend, cutting into practices and even matches."
When Whiting has down time she is a big fan of the Dave Matthews Band for her music selection. When choosing a movie to watch, it is no contest, as she is a big fan of the movie Elf. Something she has in common with the movie's main character is her love for candy. She quotes the movie, saying, "I love candy! Candy canes, candy corn, and syrup."
With the tennis team having such a small roster, Whiting says they stay pretty close.
"As a team we have really good chemistry and get along like sisters," she said. "We are constantly together, always hanging out especially on road trips. We have to drive to the away sites in these vans and it allows us a lot of time to play games and get to know each other better. I have become extremely close with all of them. "
Whiting stresses that hard work, self-discipline and a good attitude is what makes her a good tennis player.
"It's very important to have a good attitude no matter what when playing. It's very easy to get down on yourself when you've just lost a point, and it takes that much more self-discipline to get your head right back in the game and believe in yourself that you can still beat them."
Q. Do you have a hero?
A. "I would say my mom because I grew up playing tennis with her, and I could always rely on her whenever I needed to vent or needed someone to play against."
Q. What are you looking forward to your senior year?
A. "I'm looking forward to our trip to Orlando, Fla., from March 3-6. It's always exciting to travel a long distance and the weather will obviously be well worth it.
Q. What's something someone might not know about tennis?
A. "There can be a lot of waiting around, kind of like track and field meets. Normally there are six courts where the six singles matches take place first and then the doubles after them. Some places however, have only four or five courts which makes the day longer, and if you're not playing in a match then you're just sitting around waiting. It can get tiring and restless."
Q. What are you going to miss most about UND tennis?
A. "I'll obviously miss my teammates and friends I've gotten to know through the last few years. I know we'll all stay close even after I graduate, so I'm not too worried. I'm excited for the last chance to play this season as a Division II athlete and I'm going to miss the simple things of going to matches, road trips and just hanging out."
