Allison Kowalke '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Allison Kowalke and I am now a Junior in high school. Tennis has become a big part of my life since the age of 9 as I had to talk my Dad into letting me try Tennis.  My Dad who never played Tennis helped me get the good foundation (with a few private lessons but primarily all his help) and have been looking forward to High School and College to help build upon that foundation for me.   My flat serve tops out slightly above 90 MPH or so, but typically sits in the 80's consistently with spin 2nd serves consistently in the mid 60's.  Hoping to work with a great college coach to help me get much better as I am on the verge of some big improvements.  My Dad did whatever he could to be there for me and now he has helped to give Tennis lessons to little kids to develop that same love he helped me all those years ago.  I help him out now as well, so we can help even more kids.  I am undecided for a major, but it is still early.  One thing I am a little interested is sign language interpreter as I have been studying some on my own, but can do it on my own if not through a school.  USTA rankings haven't quite been updating correctly but I am basically in the top 300 for 14's, 16's and even 18's for the whole Midwest as my Dad helps to find some challenges for me.  For Freshman year I played #3 singles and #1 Doubles for a very good team that have 2 girls returning who won multiple matches at state last year.  I haven't had a lot of experience in doubles, but I did improve greatly through the year.  My overall record for all matches was 49-10 including State and tournaments. To start off my doubles partner and I had gone 17-5 in a tournament play and 33-7 overall with a several matches against State class AA and going 4-2 at State to finish in a tie for 7th place.  4 of our losses came  in a Super Tiebreakers where 2 were 12-10.  We finished as Sectional champs in both doubles and team title.  Then I was 1-2 in tournament play  and 2-2 overall with another girl who was on our #2 doubles at #1 doubles as main partner had to miss a couple of days and our 1 loss came in a super tiebreaker and the other to a class AA team and I am 3-1 in tournament play and 14-1 in #3 singles (only match lost was to someone in the class AA).

Sophomore year started off with a new partner who was outside the top 6 last year, but we managed to have same finish as with my last partner going 3-1 in first tournament against some bigger schools and 33-10 overall for doubles (3 losses being a supertiebreaker and another 7-6, 7-6) and 14-2 at #2 Singles (losing in 3 sets and 1 to a large Chicago area school barely).  Since we had such a strong team we didn't do singles and doubles every time out.  But I know that I can beat some of the top players from other teams.  Power is my game as usually get some aces (well over 100 a season, but haven't kept track) and hundreds others that are basically aces and I can play a game with a mix of slicing in addition to the power, but just need to get better at how to use it all in my game as feel close to making another big leap forward with my game.  We went 4-2 at State despite strong winds and rains, but my partner has one more year so we will come back stronger.

Junior year started off with high hopes as my partner was returning, but unfortunately she didn't practice much before the season so we had to play catch up.  Finished 43-10 on the year as had a couple of tournaments get canceled.  Of which was 32-9 for doubles and 10-2 was at #2 singles .  This included 3-1 with a backup partner in Bloomington.  We finished 4-2 to earn First Team All State which is my 3rd time in 3 years.  So although was hoping to medal at State, I am pleased with how we played for the most part.  

I am looking forward to finding a school that will continue to help me grow and find what I am meant for in life.