Wake Forest Athletics
Gold Rush Feature: Kathryn Talbert
2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 17, 2011
This article was originally published in the Feb. 5 edition of Gold Rush.
By Jay Reddick
It's a common goal for athletes and teams: Improve throughout the year so you're playing your best at the finish.
It's early yet, but it seems like Kathryn Talbert is doing that for the women's tennis team. With the dual-match season under way, signs are pointing to a successful sophomore year and, hopefully, postseason success in the spring.
The Mooresville resident set a good baseline last year, finishing with a top-25 national ranking in doubles with Sasha Kulikova, including a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament. She also compiled a 15-12 singles mark.
But a wrist injury meant she didn't finish as strong as she would have liked, and she's ready to make amends for that shortcoming.
"Staying healthy is my number one goal," Talbert said. "But Sasha and I had the potential to go a little further in the (NCAA) tournament. Once you're there, the goal is to get further, and I'm excited to try."
Kulikova has graduated, but Talbert is off to a good start with new partner Kayla Duncan, a transfer from TCU. The pair won their first five matches together, and began the fall as the No. 14 doubles tandem in the country.
Talbert, a hard hitter from the baseline, said doubles plays to her strengths.
"I love the way I can open up the court with my shots," she said. "I can constantly be setting my partner with a good volley or passing shot. I can hurt people at the baseline pretty well when I'm on."
Talbert's fall season included some singles success, too -- she won the Wake Forest Invitational at the Indoor Tennis Center by going undefeated in three round-robin matches. She dropped only six games in six sets.
Talbert and head coach Jeff Wyshner both admit Talbert's game is better suited to the indoor game, but even as the matches begin to move outdoors, her fall success has given her a confidence boost.
"I think the biggest thing for her will be the importance of not rushing points," Wyshner said. "You will have to hit a couple more shots outdoors, which will demand moving a little better and for a little longer."
Talbert hopes her improvement will carry over to the team as a whole. The Deacons finished tied for eighth in the ACC last spring, but the taste of success they had made them hungry for more.
"When we played (then-No. 6) Duke last year, they expected to beat us; you could see it on their faces," Talbert said. "Then we won the doubles point, and you could see just a little bit of fear in their eyes. We want to see that a lot more this year. We're realizing that anything can happen."
Talbert helps Wake Forest with more than just her play. Her smile and exuberant personality help to keep the team loose in the stressful moments.
"She plays a very important role for the team in terms of keeping spirits up," Wyshner said. "She's outgoing and charismatic, and we need that."
Her nature helps Wyshner in one underrated capacity -- she's heavily involved with greeting potential recruits who come to the school to visit.
"She's a great ambassador for Wake Forest," Wyshner said. "She knows how to get across how wonderful this school can be."
Talbert accepts that responsibility readily, with her usual smile.
"I remember my trips here and how much fun they were," Talbert said. "Since I love Wake so much, it's a great time to show someone the school. I hope they see that in me. I want everyone else to see how great it is."
Players Mentioned
