Q&A with Kaydee Don Holland, RHS tennis senior

Q: How old were you when you started playing tennis?

A: 12 years old

Q: Was there anyone special in your life who helped you become a great player, and how?

A: Mr. Bob Trinley, the tennis pro at Cypress Lakes; Mr. Mike Claiborne, the tennis pro at Turtle Point; Mrs. LeAnn Strickland; and Mrs. Abbey Rea. Throughout my tennis career I have taken lessons and learned so much from each of them.

Q: How do you get ready for a match?

A: Get ready in plenty of time to have time to relax and goof off before we have to get serious.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not involved with tennis?

A: Cheer, dance and be on the lake or beach.

Q: What factors do you feel have influenced you the most to become the player and person you are today?

A: I just worry about winning one ball at a time. My goal each season was to be undefeated, win the Section Tournament and make it to the State Finals in Mobile.

Q: Did you have any routines or superstitions before or in a match?

A: I always have to ask Coach Dollar to put me on my home court because no one can beat me there, and I have the same routine of dribbling the ball before I serve. I have a favorite water bottle my mom fixes before each match; Ellyse and I have a certain song we have to listen to before big matches; and Peyton prepares me with a motivational comment.

Q: What is your favorite tennis memory?

A: Being undefeated my senior season and having the best tennis partner.

Q: What tennis player has influenced you most in the game? Why?

A: Ellyse Strickland – she is the reason I got into tennis to start with.

Q: What is the greatest obstacle you have had to overcome in your playing career?

A: The coronavirus. It’s been very frustrating to deal with

Q: What is life after being a tennis player for you?

A: I’m about to head to college and start the next phase of my life.

Q: What are your thoughts on your season coming to an abrupt end?

A: It’s been very depressing, with all the “what ifs.”  I was actually at a tennis lesson at Turtle Point when I learned the season was over, and the pro had just told me I would be a real competitor at state this year. I would give anything to be able to know if our team had what it took to win it all this year.

Franklin County

PHOTOS: NWSCC Phil Campbell campus presents ‘Shrek the Musical’

News

Russellville Main Street welcomes new executive director

News

BTCPA announces final production of season

News

Wynette Grammy finds home at Red Bay Museum

Franklin County

Northwest Shoals receives $1.3M to enhance rural healthcare education

Galleries

PHOTOS: RHS Musical Theatre presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Franklin County

Northwest Regional Library announces audiobooks by mail program

Franklin County

Republican primary run-off election for county commission seats takes place April 16

News

Historic Roxy Theatre celebrates 75th Anniversary with upcoming entertainment

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mark Dunbar

Franklin County

Franklin County makes seven drug trafficking arrests

Galleries

Why Knot car show cruises into downtown Russellville

News

Get free weather radio at VFDs

Franklin County

PCHS FBLA hosts Little Miss Dream Girl Pageant

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Johnnie Pounders

Features

Sam Warf: From Tennessee to the White House and beyond

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

x