By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – Alone on the furthest court at the KSU Tennis Complex, Tess Lagerkvist was the final player left on the court as she battled with a Jacksonville player in the deciding match of what would be one of the biggest matches of the season for the Kennesaw State women’s tennis team.
The road traveled to the United States was one Tess dreamed of for the last five years as she lived the life of a budding tennis player at the Kramfors Tennis Academy in Sweden.
Wanting to play collegiate tennis in the states, Lagerkvist went the route of many international tennis players hoping to play in the states. She sent coaches around the country a link to a video of her playing and hoped that she would fit a need somewhere.
She fit a need at Kennesaw State, but it wasn’t the video of playing tennis that captured the attention of head coach Brandon Padgett.
“There were so many things that impressed me about Tess,” smiled Padgett. “But, the one thing that stood out was that in addition to a video of her playing tennis, she also added a link of her working out. Her dedication and commitment to her work out really pushed her to the top of our list.”
With numerous videos to sift through, Padgett and his staff are always looking for something unique and they found it in Lagerkvist. Combining the workout video, with footage of her match experience, favorable results and her time at the Kramfors Academy, Tess was bright on the Owls radar.
As the singles matches began against Jacksonville, the Owls found themselves trailing by a point. It was crucial that the Owls win this match and they would need four wins to do it. One by one the Owls alternated first set wins, including Tess.
After winning the first set against Fernando Carrero by a healthy 6-2 score, Lagerkvist lost composure in the second set as Carrero tied the match with a 6-2 win of her own. Slowly the rest of her teammates would complete their matches, winning three and losing two with one match left to decide the outcome.
Lagerkvist comes from an encouraging and supportive family and was, what you can say, an overactive child. Always outside running and playing all sports, Tess has it in her blood to be active. But, it was at a young age when tennis became passionately infused into her life.
“I still remember when I got my first tennis racket,” grinned Lagerkvist. “I was eight years old and was sitting at home when my dad came home from work and I saw the racket in his bag. It was yellow and I was so excited, I ran over to my dad and he gave it to me and from then on I always had a racquet in my hands. I would play all the time, hitting a ball against the wall or I would make my parents play with me.”
Things have never been easy for Tess, or any international player when they first arrive in the states. Although being at the academy for years before arriving at Kennesaw State made the adjustment a little easier, she was still alone in a new country, with no friends and the pressure of succeeding at tennis.
“I have always been focused on tennis and staying fit, but when I first got here, last summer I wanted to work even harder to get off to a good start,” said Lagerkvist with a focused charm that makes her a unique brand of athlete. “Playing college tennis in the United States is something I have always dreamed of and when I got here I struggled with the courts. The balls bounced so much higher so I had trouble in the beginning, but now I don’t even think about it anymore and I have gotten used to the courts.”
Overcoming challenges is something Lagerkvist has done with relative ease. But in truth, her strong will and an undeniably determined attitude continuously lifts this 20-year old to new heights.
Before the third set began, Padgett walked over to the freshman, playing in the most important match of her young college career and offered words of encouragement. While the individuality of tennis is at its center, for the first time Tess was dealing with the pressure of playing for her teammates as well. It wasn’t just the challenge of an important third set for her, it was a crucial third set for her seven other teammates nervously rooting for her.
Never playing on a team while in Sweden, the concept of team tennis played on the college level in the states was new to her. The fatigue of playing more matches in a shorter period of time was also new. But then again, facing a challenge and overcoming it is something she is very familiar with.
“Coming here is a totally new experience for me,” said Tess with a serious tone. “Everything is new, the food, the culture, the language. I can’t just go home if I want to, I am here now and I have to stay here and figure things out on my own.”
The third set began and quickly Tess took control. With a confident ease she won the first game, then the second, then the third and with the growing cheers from her teammates and fans Tess had won the third set, 6-1, giving the Owls a much needed win.
“She is the ideal teammate and player to have on your team,” bragged Padgett. “All of her success is due to her dedication to tennis and everything it takes to succeed off the court. I’d take five more of her if I could.”
Before she could get to the bench Tess was surrounded by her sprinting teammates and new friends. Hugs and smiles were everywhere, with the biggest coming from the center of the pile.
“I really miss my family and friends at home,” said Tess. “That’s really the only thing I miss. I really love it here and I have made really great friends. I want to win here and succeed here for me and for my new friends … my team.”
