University of Minnesota Athletics
First Serve With Karyna Bihel
11/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Minneapolis, Minn. - Karyna Bihel is one of the four freshman on the women's tennis team this season.
Bihel is a native of Grayslake, Ill. and has picked up six singles match wins and four doubles match wins this fall.
GopherSports.com caught up with the chemistry major to see how she has been handling things during her freshman season.
GopherSports.com: What made you decide to come to the University of Minnesota?
Karyna Bihel: Definitely the coaches and the team. Also because of the University's academics and the location is really good. I took my visit here and I felt like I was at home.
GS: How do you prepare for each tournament/ match as a team and individually?
KB: Before tournaments we work a lot on doubles, point play and match play. Fitness wise, we do a lot of stretches and roll out work, which helps us loosen up before our big matches.
GS: Being a freshman, do you ask the upperclassmen for advice on how to succeed as a player as well as academically?
KB: Yeah for sure. I ask them a lot about academics, classes and who to go to if I have certain questions. I ask Maja (Vujic), our senior, a lot about doubles and volleys because she is really good at them. We are partners so she helps me out with that kind of stuff.
GS: What are your interests outside of tennis?
KB: Outside of tennis I love hanging out with friends, listening to music, and doing personal research on psychology and philosophy.
GS: How has your first year of college been? Any moments that stick out?
KB: First year of college is going good so far. I've met a lot of awesome people and made many friends at the U. Classes are definitely harder but I'm getting the hang of it. Tennis has become more fun since I started playing on a team. Traveling together to Florida for the first time is something I always think about.
Story by Athletic Communications Student Assistant Nirav Sura.
Players Mentioned
