Kelly Rafferty is a junior on the Dowagiac tennis team.

 

What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?

KR: One of my greatest accomplishments as an athlete has to be getting second place at the Hamilton Invitational this year.

 

What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?

KR: One of my biggest disappointments as an athlete has probably been when I pulled my muscle at practice and again at our match against South Haven, which cost us the game.

 

What has been a hardship in your life?

KR: A hardship in my life would be my parents divorce, even though it was nine years ago it still affects me today.

Who is a “hero” in your life and why?

KR: A “hero” in my life is (former Dowagiac coach) Sonny Swartz. He has played a very big role in my tennis success. He helped me my freshman year when I didn’t even know how to hold a tennis racket. He helped push me to try my hardest and that you need to keep pushing on even when you think you can’t. Thank you.

 

When are you the most nervous while you are competing?

KR: While I am competing, I am most nervous when I am down a few points and it’s close to the end of the game.

 

Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.

KR: An embarrassing athletic moment would be when I accidentally hit my partner in the back of head with a ball during our conference.

 

How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?

KR: When I am by myself I try to work out by getting in a lot of walking at the least.

 

What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?

KR: If I wasn’t playing tennis I would probably be playing softball.

 

Who would you say is your “biggest fan?” Why?

KR: I would say that my biggest fan would probably be my parents, Paula and Dan. Even though they can’t always be at my matches, they show support all around and love for me even when I don’t do good. Thank you.

 

How would you give away $50,000?

KR: If I had $50,000 I would put it into my college fund for my Master’s in nursing.

 

If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?

KR: If I could be head coach of a team for a year, I would undoubtedly coach my own team.

 

If I did not play sports, I would…?

KR: If I did not play sports I would paint a lot more and probably get a job.

What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?

KR: The most challenging thing for me to do in my sport is keep a positive mental game strong enough for myself as well as my partner.

 

If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?

KR: If I could change one rule about my sport it would be that we could be loud and cheer people on a little more.

 

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

KR: The best compliment I have ever received is when someone told me that we were the nicest team they have ever played.

 

What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

KR: The scariest thing I have ever had to do was play a whole match immediately after I sprained my ankle. I am actually very glad I did it because it showed strength.

 

What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

KR: The last thing I saw someone do that really impressed me was when my partner backed me up when I missed a shot and barely got to it and we won the game.

 

What is your favorite hobby? Why?

KR: My favorite hobby is singing because I’ve been in choir since 8th grade and other than tennis, choir is my other passion.

 

Choose one word to describe yourself:

KR: Strong.