Huskers volunteer, compete, connect through Tennis On Campus club team

Around 25 people make up the University of Nebraska-Lincoln club tennis team. Junior Hailey Kobza has been on the team for three years and is the current captain. She said she loves being part of the USTA Tennis On Campus team and getting to know all her teammates, whether it’s at practice or team matches.

“What I enjoy most about club tennis is being able to play in an environment that isn’t as serious but still very competitive,” she said. “I have loved getting to know everyone who shows up, and I’ve met some amazing people through it.”

Kobza, a marketing major, said team practice is not mandatory since everyone has busy schedules. But the team did come together to help out at the recent Lincoln Challenger men’s professional tennis tournament in October at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center.

The Lincoln Challenger is one of several USTA Pro Circuit events that take place within the USTA Missouri Valley.

About 10 of the club’s members took on more than 30 shifts throughout the course of the week. Past team captain Fletcher Kuper was one of the volunteers.

“Helping out the professional level of our sport is satisfying for many of us, so being that close to a high level of tennis was also entertaining,” Kuper said. “It was an experience that I think those who enjoy tennis and want to support the sport in a very easy way should all do.”

Kobza said her goal when playing on the club team is to get better each time she steps on the court, and to have a respite from school and studying. As captain, her goal for the club is to qualify for nationals in the spring.

Learn more about Tennis On Campus by clicking here.