Kyte courts success at St. Lawrence

CANTON, N.Y. Eight years ago, 14-year-old Denise Kyte bounced around the west side New Glasgow tennis courts, wearing black-rimmed glasses with her pigtails flying in the breeze.

She was a lot tougher than she might have looked.

That was an awkward stage, she laughed, during a telephone interview from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York.

Eight years and two major knee injuries later, Kyte captained her tennis team at St. Lawrence University to the NCAA Division 3 tennis championship tournament last week.

The Saints were eliminated in the second round of the NCAAs, but it was the first time the schools tennis team had gone that far. It was a very big achievement for us, she said. In my four years here, I watched the team grow, and it definitely took a lot of hard work.

Kyte left New Glasgow when she was 15, and attended prep school at New Hampton School in New Hampshire, where she played soccer, tennis and basketball.

In her senior year at New Hampton, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, on the soccer pitch. Then, in Kytes freshman year at St. Lawrence, she blew out the same knee again, this time while playing tennis.

But while she was firmly entrenched with an academic scholarship at St. Lawrence, she put herself through another gruelling rehab more than eight months in duration determined to get back on the court.

It was a long process, but it was worth it, Kyte said. I had felt as though Id lost part of my identity, because I couldnt play tennis and I couldnt be active.

Her knee history forced her off the singles court, making her a doubles specialist. But Kyte was still part of a team, and still playing the game she fell in love with when she was in Grade 6.

Ive gotten to the point where I can only play doubles, but Ive always loved doubles, so I guess it worked out. Tennis is a physical challenge but its also a mental game. I would say its 90 per cent mental.

Tennis coach Jeremy Freeman said her willingness to pay the price to get back on the court speaks volumes.

That just shows her heart and determination, and her love for not just tennis, but competition, he said.

Kyte, who will graduate later this month with a bachelor of psychology degree (with honours), hopes to continue her studies, to obtain her doctorate.

She was also honoured by her school at its recent National Student Athlete Day banquet, when each head coach of the schools 32 teams selected an athlete from their roster who exemplifies outstanding work in the classroom, in athletics, and in the community.

Well definitely miss her leadership in this program, Freeman said. With all the adversity that shes had, you cant do anything but respect that.