Indiana University Athletics
Seniors Return to Continue Growth of Tennis Program
6/18/2020 10:30:00 AM | Women's Tennis
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– For senior Caitlin Bernard it wasn't a question in her mind. After the pandemic ended their season and the NCAA allowed seniors an extra year, Bernard jumped at the chance.
Senior Annabelle Andrinopoulos, a native of Melbourne, Australia, transferred from Colorado for her senior year and said the minute she set foot on campus she knew Indiana was going to be the right fit. Andrinopoulos is on the verge of finishing a Master's degree in Environmental Sustainability and will begin a master's in Finance through the Kelley School of Business in the fall.
Senior Michelle McKamey, who led the Hoosiers with 16 singles wins in the 2019-20 season, will start Optometry School at Indiana in the fall. She said she felt like they didn't get to end the season on their own terms and is excited about coming back.
Bernard, Andrinopoulos and McKamey have been part of building the culture of the team at IU and with a top-25 recruiting class coming in next year, the future is bright for the program.
Andrinopoulos has been with the program for less than a year, but felt an instant connection. Her commitment to the team stemmed from the coaches and their desire to bring the team closer together.
"It was a very easy transition for me and that speaks highly of the team culture that has been built," she said. "I think the coaches have done a good job of getting everyone to buy in and support each other. They always talk about a big family culture and they drove that home this past year."
The team bonded this past year with special experiences in their shortened season. Among the memorable trips was a visit to Annapolis, Md., in which they played Navy and got a tour of the Naval Academy. The next week they traveled to West Point, N.Y. and toured Army.
The 2019-20 season saw the Hoosiers welcome four freshmen, including players from China, Serbia and Romania. McKamey said she was a little nervous going into the season with so many new pieces.
"I don't think it could have gone much more smoothly," she said. "Everyone was very adaptable and the coaches set us up well to mix the new players with the returners. I think it went really well and I'm hopefully with our three new freshmen coming in, it will go just as well this coming year."
All three seniors come from different backgrounds, but all three decided on Indiana and said they could not be happier with that decision.
"The minute I came I knew Indiana was going to be the right fit," Andrinopoulos said. "I was nervous to start, but I became so comfortable with my teammates and coaches. I'll be a proud Hoosier alum when I graduate."
"I was amazed with how beautiful the campus was," McKamey said. "After being at Indiana, I have seen and learned how the athletic department and university care so much about the student-athletes. They want us to succeed in every possible way, on the court, in the weight room, classroom, nutrition, they help us with everything."
"Coming to Indiana and getting to be a student-athlete, from the moment I got here I felt like it was 100 percent the right decision," Bernard said. "The support has been amazing. When I got injured everyone so nice and helpful and that meant a lot. I feel like I have had the best experience."
Bernard will start a program in the IU School of Public Health in Sport Science in the fall.
All three have high expectations for the 2020-21 season and are eager to rejoin their teammates in Bloomington.
"Everyone is returning and I feel like this will be a great chance to compete for a higher ranking and pursue our goal of making the NCAA Tournament," Bernard said.
McKamey said she is excited about the depth the team will have, which they have not had in past seasons.
"I think it will be a really good opportunity to rotate people and have a lot of really good experience," she said. "I think it will help us later on in the season with having more depth since we play so many matches."
For McKamey and the other seniors they are excited to represent the Cream and Crimson at a school they love and are thankful Indiana is providing another opportunity for the perfect send off.
"Being a student-athlete at IU is the most amazing experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything," McKamey said.
Senior Annabelle Andrinopoulos, a native of Melbourne, Australia, transferred from Colorado for her senior year and said the minute she set foot on campus she knew Indiana was going to be the right fit. Andrinopoulos is on the verge of finishing a Master's degree in Environmental Sustainability and will begin a master's in Finance through the Kelley School of Business in the fall.
Senior Michelle McKamey, who led the Hoosiers with 16 singles wins in the 2019-20 season, will start Optometry School at Indiana in the fall. She said she felt like they didn't get to end the season on their own terms and is excited about coming back.
Bernard, Andrinopoulos and McKamey have been part of building the culture of the team at IU and with a top-25 recruiting class coming in next year, the future is bright for the program.
Andrinopoulos has been with the program for less than a year, but felt an instant connection. Her commitment to the team stemmed from the coaches and their desire to bring the team closer together.
"It was a very easy transition for me and that speaks highly of the team culture that has been built," she said. "I think the coaches have done a good job of getting everyone to buy in and support each other. They always talk about a big family culture and they drove that home this past year."
The team bonded this past year with special experiences in their shortened season. Among the memorable trips was a visit to Annapolis, Md., in which they played Navy and got a tour of the Naval Academy. The next week they traveled to West Point, N.Y. and toured Army.
The 2019-20 season saw the Hoosiers welcome four freshmen, including players from China, Serbia and Romania. McKamey said she was a little nervous going into the season with so many new pieces.
"I don't think it could have gone much more smoothly," she said. "Everyone was very adaptable and the coaches set us up well to mix the new players with the returners. I think it went really well and I'm hopefully with our three new freshmen coming in, it will go just as well this coming year."
All three seniors come from different backgrounds, but all three decided on Indiana and said they could not be happier with that decision.
"The minute I came I knew Indiana was going to be the right fit," Andrinopoulos said. "I was nervous to start, but I became so comfortable with my teammates and coaches. I'll be a proud Hoosier alum when I graduate."
"I was amazed with how beautiful the campus was," McKamey said. "After being at Indiana, I have seen and learned how the athletic department and university care so much about the student-athletes. They want us to succeed in every possible way, on the court, in the weight room, classroom, nutrition, they help us with everything."
"Coming to Indiana and getting to be a student-athlete, from the moment I got here I felt like it was 100 percent the right decision," Bernard said. "The support has been amazing. When I got injured everyone so nice and helpful and that meant a lot. I feel like I have had the best experience."
Bernard will start a program in the IU School of Public Health in Sport Science in the fall.
All three have high expectations for the 2020-21 season and are eager to rejoin their teammates in Bloomington.
"Everyone is returning and I feel like this will be a great chance to compete for a higher ranking and pursue our goal of making the NCAA Tournament," Bernard said.
McKamey said she is excited about the depth the team will have, which they have not had in past seasons.
"I think it will be a really good opportunity to rotate people and have a lot of really good experience," she said. "I think it will help us later on in the season with having more depth since we play so many matches."
For McKamey and the other seniors they are excited to represent the Cream and Crimson at a school they love and are thankful Indiana is providing another opportunity for the perfect send off.
"Being a student-athlete at IU is the most amazing experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything," McKamey said.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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