A love for the game

Tennis ace Emily Kwok earns scholarship to the University of Utah

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Richmond's Emily Kwok, ranked among the top 15 women's singles players in Canada, has accepted a four-year full-ride athletic scholarship to the University of Utah.

"I never thought I would get a good university scholarship, so this is just amazing," said Kwok. "I'm really proud of what I've done. All the work the last several years is paying off and this will give me a better chance of going on to the professional level."

The 18-year-old Matthew McNair Secondary grad had received several scholarship opportunities from U.S. schools last year, but decided to forego college for a year to focus on earning a ranking from the International Tennis Federation. She is ranked 665th in the world.

It's a big step up the tennis ladder, but Kwok is determined to make the climb. She's matured from a shy and nervous 12 year old playing in her first tournament to a confident, hard-hitting player who goes into every match expecting to win.

"Her athletic base will allow her to keep getting better and better," said Ryan Clarke, executive director of Tennis B.C. "She just needs to add match play which she'll get a lot of in college."

Clarke said the University of Utah is the ideal environment for Kwok. It's an emerging program in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Mountain West Conference, competing against the likes of strong programs such as San Diego State, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Brigham Young University, Colorado State, and several California schools. The University of Hawaii is joining the conference this year.

The University of Utah also boasts some of the best tennis facilities in the United States, featuring both indoor and outdoor courts.

Kwok visited the campus in May, and knew almost as soon as she met coach Megan Dorny (a University of Utah alumnus) it would be a good fit.

"We hit it off and had amazing communication," she said. "That's what I'm looking for from a coach."

Kwok appreciates that, like herself, Dorny has high expectations and that win or lose, it's important to always be learning from your matches.

"It's about hunger. If you really want it you have to go out and get it," she explained.

Dorny had all but decided on her team for this season when she received a resume from Kwok. She was so impressed she immediately contacted Kwok asking her for a video of her play and within a week or two offered her a scholarship.

"It was the quickest recruiting process I've ever been part of that led to a signee," Dorny said, adding that Kwok is a very good athlete.

"Her backhand is one of her best shots and she also possesses a really good volley and covers the court well. I know she's also working hard on her serve and that's one element in women's tennis that is sometimes under developed."

Kwok, who still hasn't declared her major area of study (she's leaning toward interior design), spent some time overseas last year training with members of Taiwan's Davis and Federation Cup teams, an experience she described as "overwhelming." But she was also forced to the sidelines for two months by tendonitis in her right shoulder.

She's fully recovered now though, and anxious to begin playing again.

"I think I've matured a lot over the last year and I believe I can be a top-three player on the team," she said. "But I'm a freshman and I don't want to create a conflict with my teammates. I want to earn my way."