Kerrigan O’Brien did not pick up a tennis racquet until her Freshman year in high school. It was then that Danville Tennis Head Coach, Mike Burdsall, talked her into playing tennis when she was a student in his Biology class. Her rapid improvement through the years has led to quite the success story as she is excelling on the tennis court and in the classroom as she is second in her class. ICON recently did a Q&A with Kerrigan, her parents, and her Head Coach to learn more about her tennis journey.
Q&A with Kerrigan O’Brien:
ICON: When did you first start playing tennis? Do you play any other sports? If so, what sport and at what level?
Kerrigan: I started playing tennis Freshman year of high school, and have played varsity all 4 years. I golf as well. I started golf my Junior year of high school and played varsity the last two years. I played volleyball growing up until Sophomore year where I was JV Captain and setter.
ICON: How do you prepare and train during the off-season to have the success you have had in tennis?
Kerrigan: In the off-season, I typically take lessons once a week with my coach at the West Indy Racquet Club. I also participate in match play and clinics. Along with that, I get out and play with my friends and family any chance I get whether that’s when it’s nice outside or we rent indoor courts at the WIRC.
ICON: Who have been your most influential coaches and why?
Kerrigan: My most influential coaches have been my private lesson coaches, Morgan Jones and Spencer Jacoby, because they both have pushed me to put in the work to get better, and have been there to support me as a player since my Freshman year. They have both put in effort outside of their job description as a coach such as coming to my matches even though they are outside the Danville program, spending extra time outside of lessons to work with me, and just getting to know me as a person. Our head coach Mike Burdsall has been a big influence in my tennis career as well because he has been there to support me all 4 years, always being there when I need him. He is always someone I can count on to cheer me up and to show up for me. He’s made Danville Tennis a place that isn’t just a sport, but a family.
ICON: How have your parents supported you through the years with your goals in tennis?
Kerrigan: My parents are always at my matches to support me. They are there to cheer me on and cheer me up when it does not go the way I want. Outside of just attending matches, they are actively involved in my tennis career. As a family, we constantly go out and play tennis together to spend time together and get better (because we are all competitive!). They have also made it possible for me to gain the training I have through paying for me to take private lessons all these years and driving me to my lessons weekly (which are 45 minutes away). Their love and support have made it easy for me to enjoy tennis, and have made tennis a way for us to grow closer as a family.
ICON: Describe your tennis journey through the years. Some highs and lows.
Kerrigan: I joined the DCHS tennis team freshman year with my friends, Calla and Sydney, never having picked up a racquet. I played Varsity 2 Doubles and basically just figured out how to hit the ball over the net. At the end of my freshman season, I was switched to 3 Singles on Varsity and decided I wanted to be a singles player. That season was super fun, but I was very uneducated about technique. That following off-season, Sydney, Calla, and I took private lessons and thanks to our coaches we gained some technique. That season, I played Varsity 2 singles. Throughout that season, I had some success, but I had to grow in my mental game as an individual player. At the start of my Junior year season, Mr. Burdsall had the idea of putting me back on doubles with my best friend, Calla Herald. We began playing 1 Doubles, and while it took us a couple matches to get into our flow, we quickly started winning. Ever since then, we have been playing Varsity 1 Doubles together, and enjoy playing the game together!
ICON: What are some individual goals and team goals you have for this upcoming season?
Kerrigan: This season, I would love to see Calla and I win Conference in 1 Doubles. I would also love to win Sectionals in 1 Doubles. I would also like to make 1st Team All-Conference like last year. As a team, I aspire to see us win the Conference and maintain our winning record.
ICON: What makes playing tennis at Danville High School special?Kerrigan: Playing tennis at Danville is special because of the environment. Anybody can come try out for tennis, and know that they are going to have a blast during the season. The coaches do a great job of making sure that we are still enjoying tennis
