The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1215393
12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK N C State junior Lexi Keberle believed in the Wolfpack women's tennis program enough to transfer in from Wisconsin. The West Bend, Wis., native was named first-team All-Big Ten after going 25-10 in 2018. She followed up by going 25-11 at No. 2 singles for the Badgers last year. With Keberle in the lineup, NC State got off to a 15-2 start and was ranked No. 3 in the country as of Feb. 25, an all-time high for the program. Keberle was 16-8 overall in singles and has been with Liz Norman most often in doubles, going 6-9. Keberle recently took some time with The Wolfpacker to discuss her first year at NC State: What has it been like to be a part of a top-10 program? "I knew this was the kind of program where the coaches and players had a really good work ethic. I knew coming in that this was definitely my kind of people that I want to work with. Between the freshmen and the other transfer Jaeda Daniel [of Auburn] and myself, combining with the high-level players returning this year, we knew we'd be a high-level team. "One of our goals was to be top five at the beginning of the year. To be there now is amazing." What has been the biggest adjustment for you? "Maybe how things are structured. I'm getting used to things and I really like it. The way the daily routine works here, I really like it. It hasn't been that big of an adjustment to me because of the way I like to work." It snowed for the first time this year in Raleigh Feb. 20. What has life without snow felt like? "I'll see pictures from home of the snow and I'll be like, 'I kind of miss it.' Then we went up there [to Chicago] for ITA National Team Indoor Championships, and I realized I don't actually miss it. I don't know how I lived in [West Bend, Wis.] my whole life." What are your strengths on the court? "I would say I'm more of an aggressive player. I've defi- nitely had to change my game a little bit in terms of how ag- gressive I'd like to play because of the way the conditions are in playing outdoors than indoor." What is the difference in playing NC State's schedule and ACC opponents? "The teams that we've played so far this season have been high-level teams. That's very exciting — to be a top team and we are playing other top teams. To be a part of that is really incredible." What are some of your academic dreams? "I'm majoring in sports management. The goal is to hope- fully work in an athletic department at a university somewhere. My dream job would be to be a senior associate athletic direc- tor. I'd overlook a couple of teams. I love being a student- athlete and interacting with other student-athletes." — Jacey Zembal GETTING TO KNOW: In her first season in Raleigh, Keberle was 16-8 in singles play and helped NC State reach an all-time best team ranking of No. 3 in the nation as of Feb. 25. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS LEXI KEBERLE ■ WOMEN'S TENNIS Who would you like to see in concert? "I like a variety of music, but I'd say probably Zac Brown Band." Last good movie you watched? "'The Longest Ride.'" Do you have a favorite class in college the last three years? "My PRT 286 class, which is kind of specific." If you didn't play college tennis, what would be another sport you'd like to try? "Soccer for sure. I played it at a pretty high level where I almost wanted to play college soccer." Do you have a favorite professional tennis player? "I do love Roger Federer, and there are also a lot of female players I enjoy watching." How old were you when you first picked up a tennis racket? "Around three or four." If you didn't pick NC State, where would you have gone? "Possibly Oklahoma State or Georgia." What is the big adjustment to when you play doubles? "Just feeling comfortable at the net." What restaurant in town is your newly adopted go-to place? "We really like going to Gonza on Hillsborough Street." Did you attend the Wisconsin at NC State men's basketball game? "I was at that game. It was a little weird because I went with a former teammate of mine from Wisconsin. I was happy that NC State pulled out the win for that game." Ten Questions With Lexi Keberle