Wake Forest Athletics
Hammer and Nail
6/27/2022 10:43:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Anna Brylin and Brooke Killingsworth continue to write their story in the Wake Forest women’s tennis program.
When the 2021-22 campaign came to a close last month, Wake Forest women’s tennis standouts Anna Brylin and Brooke Killingsworth finally had a moment to breathe.
Periods of “quiet time” were hardly available through the past 10 months, as the academic year featured ample activity for the two Deacs. Playing as lettered members on the Wake Forest roster, Brylin and Killingsworth navigated through a memorable year of on-court play as the team’s No. 1 doubles group. Heads were firstly turned when the pair scored a historic program feat in October before taking full control in the spring. Being honored as All-Americans earlier this month closed the door on an exceptional season, as Brylin and Killingsworth became the fifth all-time Wake Forest duo to receive such honors.
Success hasn’t happened overnight, as the process initially started just under two years ago. Those early stages contained somewhat of a coincidence, as Brylin and Killingsworth were initially not visioned to be grouped for this journey.
Making alterations
Inside the Wake Forest program, one can find a neat strategy implemented by the staff that involves a yin-and-yang approach. The tactic is used to discern the most ideal doubles pairings. This isn’t far from the norm, as contrasting styles tend to complement each other once their serves go up.
“Our teams in doubles usually involve one person who is super dependable, and another who can go make something happen quickly,” explained Killingsworth. “It is one of those ‘hammer-and-nail’ things, as our coaches like to say.”
Trying to make early decisions in the winter of 2020-21 did not come easy for Wake Forest. The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of all fall competition and modified the team’s typical day-to-day activities. With the spring season opener approaching, a quick revision was made in January 2021 – Brylin and Killingsworth were thrown into the fire as a tandem in first doubles. Brylin had stepped into her junior year at the time, while Killingsworth was just getting her feet wet as a freshman.
Their first match together was a success, breezing through a 6-1 victory over a Charlotte 49ers pairing. Less than a week later, the confidence would start to bubble a bit greater.
“So, I remember we beat a Central Florida doubles team that was ranked No. 6 in the country, during the second time we ever played together,” Brylin recalled. “It was ironic because we weren’t supposed to be paired – there were others in mind, but some players hadn’t been able to make it back to campus due to the circumstances, or were out with injuries.
“We had a very limited lineup at that point, and our team was trying to simply figure out what we could do for the short term. Brooke and I ended up having a good weekend and everyone began to think, “maybe this could work out.”
Steering a situation that merely happened by chance, talent among Brylin and Killingsworth was inevitable. Nevertheless, tennis enthusiasts will likely acknowledge chemistry acts as a deciding factor in just how far a duo will go.
“We definitely tried to get a feel for each other early on,” noted Brylin. “I didn't know Brooke too well up until that point since she was a freshman. The first semester of that school year had a very different look on what we were able to do. We weren’t able to interact much socially, and everything was very restricted. Our team had to get used to each other without many opportunities to do so. It was a bit of a learning process that first year, with some ups and downs.”
Killingsworth concurred with her partner’s words, as she sought to find her footing as a first-year player. Guidance from Brylin aided in the transition being pretty smooth, jumping from high school to Power Five trenches.
“There were still shaky moments at times, but Anna was a big help,” said Killingsworth. “I leaned on her for a lot of learning and becoming confident on the college stage.”
“Personally, I feel, with any doubles team, there is always a ‘give and take,” Brylin added on. “We consistently learn from each other. Even as an older player, I had to learn a lot of things that Brooke did.”
Figuring out tendencies and meshing skills together served the two Deacons well throughout spring 2021. Brylin and Killingsworth ultimately led Wake Forest in doubles wins, finishing on a 13-9 clip and splitting time between the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. By the season’s end, they had played alongside each other in all but one match and held a ‘top 35’ ranking within the ITA Doubles section. An appearance in the 2021 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships’ Round of 32 put the cap on a solid first year.
Act ii.
The individualized aspect of tennis has made the sport intriguing for quite some time. In doubles, things become even more intricate, as partners constantly put in reps to build natural in-sync play. Returning to Winston-Salem from summer break this past fall, Brylin and Killingsworth jumped right into cleaning up some areas.
“I felt good chemistry was actually something that we had from the beginning,” Brylin pointed out. “So, that was something we thrived off of. When we got back with our team last August, we focused more on creating tactical plays and being able to execute. I remember we lost our first fall match and had to shake back from not being able to see each other all summer. We just had to remember what made us successful in year one.”
Quite frankly, knocking off any rust was an uncomplicated matter for the two Deacs. As a whole, Wake Forest embraced the privilege of partaking in five fall tournaments in 2021 after not having the opportunity a year prior. The fall included several standout matches for different players.
“I would also say relationships built off the court translate to on-court success too,” said Killingsworth. “Staying in touch with each other, sending fun Tik Toks, and anything else through the summer helps in that way, since we’re unable to physically be together. When you get back to tennis, it’s like seeing your family again on the court.”
Taking advantage of each day through the first semester, a notable feat soon occurred for Brylin and Killingsworth. Fans may indeed refer to it as a historic feat – one that has never been accomplished throughout the program’s existence. On October 10, 2021, Brylin and Killingsworth became the first Wake Forest pair to win an ITA All-American Championship, doing so in a bounce-back fashion over No. 57 Yuliia Starodubtseva/Tatsiana Sasnouskaya of Old Dominion University (2-6, 7-6 (6), 10-3).
Bringing home some ????
— Wake Women's Tennis (@WakeWTennis) October 10, 2021
Recapping an incredible week at the ITA All-American Championships: https://t.co/sfoOw0uvSd#GoDeacs ?? pic.twitter.com/qAZVRR4l55
“That was a crazy week,” Brylin said with a smile. “We felt from the start that we could win it but, at least from my perspective, I don’t believe we actually thought by the end of the week that we would surely be standing there holding trophies. There were many great teams there, along with handling some problem-solving. Each match was a grind. Overall, it was very fulfilling and one of the best weeks of my life.”
A trip to the hosted grounds of Forsyth County, two weeks before the actual tournament took place, consisted of small group practices and developing new techniques. Killingsworth viewed the stay as a major reason for feeling comfortable through rounds of action, being able to have an enjoyable time while putting in extra work, and “never feeling outside of themselves.”
The championship win solidified the pair’s self-belief in now being one of the country’s most dangerous duos. At the same time, some added pressure came with a new standing.
“We had more of a target on our backs afterward, being a team that people wanted to beat versus us chasing other teams,” said Brylin.
“It was a confidence-boost in knowing we had everything in our toolbag to win big matches,” Killingsworth pitched in. “At certain points while playing, I started to realize I can count on my shots to get through tough moments. In small, power-tipping moments, I began to feel that confidence as well, but still had to learn to trust myself.”
We had more of a target on our backs, being a team that people wanted to beat versus us chasing other teams.Anna Brylin
Entering spring 2022 as the No. 2 doubles team in the country, Brylin and Killingsworth held high team-oriented goals and immediately initiated the tempo. They won five of their first six completed matches, as the Demon Deacons ultimately went 17-11 overall whilst making their sixth consecutive NCAA tournament berth.
Five wins over ranked opponents went toward the way of the standout duo, finishing 15-6 and playing every contest in first doubles. Brylin and Killingsworth racked up the most doubles wins since MC Meredith and Eliza Omirou in 2019, who uncoincidentally were also tabbed ITA All-Americans. Another showing in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, their second in as many years, put an end to things late last month. Brylin and Killingsworth’s ranking of No. 5 in May was Wake Forest's highest for a doubles tandem in the latter part of a season since Janet Bergman/Bea Bielik in 2002.
One of the best duos in the country all year long,
— Wake Women's Tennis (@WakeWTennis) June 6, 2022
'??????-????????????????' now has a nice ring to it ??
?? @AnnaBrylin ??
?? @bkillingsworthh ??
??: https://t.co/BCDjUfDLjh#GoDeacs ?? pic.twitter.com/VW1cKNl8iR
Sights set
The written journey of Brylin and Killingsworth still has a few pages, as the two return to the roster for 2022-23. Brylin is using a fifth year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the 2020 season suspension, while Killingsworth will be back as an upperclassman.
With two years together under the belt, each partner knows the other’s game quite well, to say the least.
“I would describe Brooke as an all-court baseliner,” said Brylin. “She has the power game to deliver big serves and also has a big backhand, and she can slice and volley. I would say she’s an intimidating force on the court who can hand out penetrating shots from all sides. She can basically do whatever she wants with the ball.”
“If I had to use a word for Anna’s game, it would be ‘surgical,” Killingsworth detailed. “She’s incredibly smart and can anticipate very well. She usually knows where her opponent is going to hit the ball before it even happens. It’s frustrating for them and great for me. She stays patient and waits to pull something out when needed.”
Having gained a taste of postseason play for two straight years now, the two Deacs hold firmly established goals of taking the next step in winning the NCAA crown. That, along with earning a spot in the U.S. Open, would be the pinnacle of individual success.
“I would also add being the absolute best doubles group for our team,” said Killingsworth. “If we can be a lockdown and given point, it’ll give reliability.”
Levels of competition will remain high for Wake Forest, leaning on the shoulders of an experienced core to continue paving the way against conference and NCAA foes. Rest assured, the veteran, built-in connection between Brylin and Killingsworth is a major piece within the arsenal.
“It’s always fun working with a new partner, but it is nice to have a sense of stability and being able to form an identity,” Brylin highlighted. “Our team hopes to accomplish some big things next year.”
