Kristen Ortman is a junior captain on the University at Buffalo's women's tennis team. She grew up only a few miles away from campus in Amherst and graduated from nearby Amherst High School.
Her dad introduced her to the game of tennis when she was seven years old.
"I played almost every sport when I was younger and I started tennis because my dad wanted me to try it," Ortman said.
Ortman went on a couple different recruiting trips for tennis, and it wasn't until the middle of her senior year of high school that she finally decided to play for coach Cathy Twist at UB.
Though her freshman year wasn't the most statistically successful season the team has had, Ortman said that team's roster stands out in her mind more than any since.
"Freshman year the girls were awesome. They took me under their wings. They were really good role models," Ortman said. "We had such a good time. They were fun. There was no pressure, we just had fun."
In turn, Ortman's first year as a Bull provided the best times for her because she was able to learn from the older girls on her team.
"They had so much fight," Ortman said. "They fought for every point. The passion they had was just amazing."
Ortman primarily played second singles her freshman year and was able to compile an overall record of 12-10. She also partnered with Karen Maynard to record seven wins at first doubles. Because of her strong play, Ortman was the recipient of the team's Most Valuable Player award for her contributions that season.
Ortman recorded the second highest win total on her team during the 2003-2004 season with 16 wins overall. She returned to action as the team's second singles player, and paired up with freshman Miglena Nenova at first doubles. Ortman was again honored with an award for the second year in a row, taking home the Most Improved Player award.
As a junior this year Ortman hopes to place at least fourth in the Mid-American Conference. She feels that as long as the team stays healthy, both mentally and physically, they should be able to finish as high as third, which is the goal coach Twist has given her this season.
In only two and a half years on the team, Ortman said she has gained a vast amount of knowledge from Twist because of the attitude she brings to the team.
"Coach Twist is so positive; she has such a passion for coaching," said Ortman. "You hardly ever see her negative. The psychological aspect of my game has improved so much because of her."
Not only has Ortman improved her tennis game, but she also feels that she has become a more well-rounded person as a result of her experience on the team.
"I'm more mature as a person, partly from Kathy dealing with the psychological aspect and it's helped me, both on and off the court, to be much more patient," Ortman commented. "I'm much more goal oriented with everything too."
Ortman, who is an early childhood education and sociology double major, has big plans for her future. She plans to earn a master's degree in sports administration and following graduate school, intends to work her way up the administrative ladder, hopefully landing a job as an athletic director.
Winning the MAC would be the one thing Ortman would like to achieve before she leaves UB, but her ultimate goal in life has a lot more to do with helping others.
"I'd like to make an impact on kids' lives, whether it be through coaching or my own kids because I'd like to have a family," said Ortman. "I'd also like to have no regrets."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
