Pensacola Catholic girls tennis' Libby Krehely wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award
Pensacola Catholic tennis continued its stronghold on the area, with the boys tennis team claiming yet another District 1-1A title and the girls squad finishing runner-up.
Typically playing at the third singles spot, Libby Krehely was a standout for the Crusaders’ girls team after transferring to the school for her senior year.
During the week of April 14-19, when the Crusaders were in the District 1-1A tournament at the Roger Scott Athletic Complex, Krehely picked up a handful of wins.
Krehely defeated Freeport’s Breleish Breister (6-1, 6-0) in the semifinals before topping Rocky Bayou Christian’s Elizabeth Smith (6-3, 6-3) in the finals. Krehely also won in second doubles alongside Ella Cage, topping Jay’s team (6-0, 6-1) in the semifinals and Rocky Bayou Christian’s squad (6-2, 6-0) in the finals.
For her efforts, Krehely won the PNJ Athlete of the Week award for that week, sponsored by Florida Power and Light, after mustering 27.84% of the poll’s votes the following week on the PNJ’s website. Each weekly winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt.
Here’s a question-and-answer session with Krehely after she spoke with PNJ Sports Reporter Ben Grieco.
Q&A with Pensacola Catholic girls tennis’ Libby Krehely
PNJ: Overall, how do you think your senior season went? What did you think of your final year of high school tennis?
Libby Krehely: “It went really well. I feel like I grew as a player, being strategic with how I played.”
PNJ: Did it go quicker than you thought, being your last year?
LK: “Yeah, it went really quick. I wasn’t ready for it to be over.”
PNJ: Has it hit you yet that school’s almost over and you’re off to college soon?
LK: “(On Tuesday), someone said, ‘Next week is your last week.’ I didn’t realize it yet. It’s weird to have to get everything ready for graduation.”
PNJ: Will you continue playing tennis at all?
LK: “I’m going to Mississippi State. So I’ll play on their club team so I can continue playing. … It’s nice because I can still continue tennis at a competitive level, but not have as much stress with it.”
PNJ: What has Pensacola Catholic tennis meant to you this past season?
LK: “I really got to experience the small-school experience, coming from a public school. It was nice, because you get a lot closer with your classmates. And the tennis program is amazing here. Coach (Geoff) Watts is amazing. He builds your game so much. Everyone here is after one goal: winning.”
PNJ: The week that you won Athlete of the Week was the district tournament. What did it mean to win individually and finish second as a team?
LK: “It felt really good. Even finishing second, it showed we worked hard this season and that we were always on the court working. It was nice to have a singles and doubles win for my last year.”
PNJ: Now for some quick ones. Do you have any pre-game superstitions that you follow?
LK: “I like to regrip my racquet, even if it’s just a little dirty. I like having it clean. I just try to stay in the zone and listen to some music.”
PNJ: Look good, play good, right?
LK: “Exactly!”
PNJ: How about a pre-game meal or snack?
LK: “I’ll have an energy drink and something like a banana.”
PNJ: Now you mentioned music. What are you listening to before a game?
LK: “Usually anything upbeat to get me in a good mood.”
PNJ: Is there a dream court you’ve always wanted to play on?
LK: “I’m a big Florida fan, so probably there.”
PNJ: Oh man, you’re going to the rival SEC school, aren’t you?
LK: “Yeah, my dad isn’t happy about that (laughs).”
PNJ: Is there a dream singles opponent you’d want to go against?
LK: “I wish I played against some of the Pensacola Catholic girls like Maria, because I grew up playing against them.”
PNJ: Do you have a dream doubles partner?
LK: “I would say Gabby (Goyins), anyone like that.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Catholic girls tennis’ Libby Krehely wins PNJ Athlete of the Week
