Allen gives Wildcats senior leadership
By Dave Gorman
Staff Writer
There will be one less cool Cat at UK after this school year - not on the ice, but on the tennis court.Courtney Allen, a senior on the UK women's tennis team, is blessed with on- and off-court savvy.She has been one of the main reasons for the Cats' success and seems almost immune to pressure, as well as being one of the team's most hardworking players.
"She leads by example and is a hard worker - that type of attitude rubs off on the team," said new UK Coach Mark Guilbeau. "She is a very important part of the team. I just wish I had gotten here earlier so I could have had her a few more years."
The Louisville native is coming off a tremendous spring season, when she finished 8-4 in the No. 6 singles spot.
She and partner Massoumeh Emami finished 7-6 overall in doubles at the No. 1 and No. 2 spot.
Entering her final season, Allen is getting off to a solid start. In the National Clay Courts, Allen finished 2-1 in the pre-qualifiers, losing in a tough match to Manon Buskens of Boise State. Allen then finished 1-2 in the Southeastern Conference Fall Individual Tournament.
Rather than setting specific goals, Allen is taking her season match-by match, hoping to compete at her best.
"I think ... I just want to play the best I can and have a good last year," Allen said.
"I think (Emami) and I can do well in the doubles. We have a lot experience."
Guilbreau is looking for big things from the duo.
"We are counting on her to perform well in doubles," Guilbeau said of Allen.
"She's a doubles expert. You wouldn't think so, because she's like 5'3", but she plays a big doubles game."
Emami and Allen have become very close, even giving each other nicknames. Emami calls Allen "Fonzie," because of her Italian hairdo. Emami ended up being named "Chachi."
Emami laughs at the mention of her nickname.
"It's so funny," Emami said. "I'll be just like shaking in a third- set type match, and she'll say, 'Here we go Chachi,' and I'll just start laughing."
The two seem confident they can be among the nation's Top 20 if they continue to work hard. The duo will compete next in the Rolex Regional next Friday in North Carolina.
The tournament field includes such powerhouses as North Carolina and Duke.
Though she has a senior year of tennis left to play, Allen is already nostalgic. Looking back on her four years at UK, she remembers good times.
"I have had a lot of good friends and memories," she said.
"Mark and I are getting along really well. He is by far one of the best coaches I've ever had."
Photo: SWINGING INTO ACTION Senior Courtney Allen has helped carry the UK women's tennis team. Photo furnished
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