Few student-athletes N.C. State have been as consistent throughout their careers as senior women’s tennis standout Joelle Kissell.
A native of Hostetter, Pa., Kissell begins this season looking to add to her already crowded collection of accomplishments.
In each of the past two seasons, the senior has been named to the All-ACC team and selected for the NCAA singles championships. She is just the second woman in Wolfpack history to qualify for postseason play several times.
For good measure, Kissell is also a two-time All-ACC Academic Team selection.
Kissell, the Wolfpack’s No. 1 player and currently ranked No. 45 among Division I players, was one of several Wolfpack women’s tennis players who competed in this past weekend’s Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn.
“We went in with a good mindset,” Kissell said. “We got a lot of matches in, and I think it was a good weekend for us.”
Kissell suffered a few singles losses in Knoxville, but she teamed up with sophomore Rachael James-Baker on the second day of the tournament to come away with an 8-6 victory against Brittany Lindl and Laurence Guevremont of Tennessee.
Junior Nicole Martinez, freshman Liza Fieldsend and senior Christy Sipes picked up singles wins during the weekend for the Pack. Junior Elisha Hande and freshman Natalia Janowicz teamed up on the final day to defeat Stephanie Fox and Kirsten Lewis of Kentucky in doubles play.
“We’re very processed-based,” Kissell said. “For every match we’re always thinking about how we can get better and preparing the same way.”
Kissell said she finds fall tournaments slightly more challenging than spring dual matches because not all of her teammates are present and cheering her on.
“I actually played in a tournament out in California all by myself [a few weeks ago],” Kissell said. “The atmosphere is so different. It’s not quite as fun. I love having my teammates supporting me, so I’m looking forward to the spring.”
Kissell said the chemistry the team shares on the court is also present off the court, and that allows them to play at a higher level.
“We have a great group of girls on this team,” Kissell said. “I love hanging out with them [off the court]. Bus rides are a lot of fun. Having that good connection with your teammates really helps.”
Through her first three seasons, Kissell has compiled 50 dual-match singles victories, which is good for third in school history behind Julia Roach and Jenny Sell. She is only nine wins behind Sell’s school record. Last season, she rose to a career-high ITA ranking of No. 19.
Kissell comes from a family of tennis players and is not the only one to play in the ACC. Her older sister, Michaela, played at Miami from 2007-2009 before finishing her college career at Marshall. Michaela is now the head coach at Western Carolina.
“My mom was my coach, and my sister was very into tennis and paved the way for me,” Kissell said. “I decided that I wanted to be just like my older sister.”
Kissell and the Wolfpack’s next tournament is the College of Charleston Invitational, which runs from Friday to Sunday in Charleston, S.C.
