May 5, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - To serve or to spike? That is the question. Or rather, which net to serve or to spike over?

Option A: A net that reaches 7'4 1/8", sitting about four feet off the ground. Or, option B: A net raised just 36 inches off the ground (in the center, 42" on the side).

For me, the answer is simple. I'm right around 5'5", with a vertical leap of maybe five inches, so volleyball just wasn't my thing. But for this 5'6" senior, volleyball just happened to be her thing, along with tennis.

Hailing from Kansas City, Mo., Chrissy Svetlic played both tennis and volleyball growing up. She first picked up a racket at the age of seven and she quickly caught on to the game of tennis. But with mother, Karen Svetlic, being a volleyball coach Chrissy couldn't help but work on her digging and spiking every once in awhile also.

In high school she had to choose between the two sports as they both took place during the fall. Feeling volleyball had a more competitive edge to it Svetlic decided she would play volleyball for her school, Park Hill South High, and tennis in her free time.

After a successful year on the volleyball court an opportunity arose outdoors on the tennis courts.

"The team had a really good shot at going to the state tournament in tennis my sophomore year," Svetlic said.

With a highly talented line-up on the squad Svetlic chose to spend her sophomore fall on the tennis courts with hopes of heading to the state tournament.

And she did just that. Svetlic helped carry her team to the Kansas State High School tournament in just her first year with the team. That year the team placed fifth. Unfortunately it would be the only year Svetlic participated in tennis for her high school. After achieving her goal of competing at the state tournament in tennis Svetlic headed back to the gym. She finished her high school career playing volleyball for the Panthers building an impressive resume that included qualifying for USA Volleyball nationals five times and placing as high as seventh in the nation.

But, of course, volleyball was not the only thing on her mind. Svetlic stayed active in tennis by competing in United States Tennis Association national tournaments along with Intercollegiate Tennis Association tournaments. As she improved on both her games colleges began calling. Upon her senior year Svetlic would again have to decide between tennis and volleyball. Always looking for that competitive edge, this time Svetlic chose tennis.

"I really wanted to play for a Division I program," said Svetlic. "I wouldn't have been able to play at that level in volleyball."

Settling down at Northern Illinois University proved to be quite easy for Svetlic, maybe too easy. After playing one year in the top position for the Huskies, Svetlic decided she was ready for more of a challenge.

"Competition, academics, the Big 12, the tennis program, the facilities..." said Svetlic as she listed off her reasons for transferring to Mizzou.

"It's been everything I had hoped for. It's been amazing."

Her move to Missouri has been a positive one. For the past three years Svetlic has been an outstanding addition to the Tiger line-up.

"One of my goals for this season was to step up and be a leader," Svetlic said. "I wanted to go out with a really good year."

She currently stands just three wins shy of 15th place on Mizzou's all-time singles win list and 13th on Mizzou's all-time doubles wins. As impressive as her statistics have been since coming to Columbia Svetlic admits it hasn't been easy.

"I had a rough first semester here. School doesn't come easy. I had to learn how to study better and how to better manage my time," said Svetlic.

Now she is a figure to be looked up to, not only on the courts, but in the classroom as well. Her three-point plus GPA earned her a second team Academic All-Big 12 honor this past season.

After a fine Tiger tenure Svetlic is ready to hang up her racket for just a bit, admitting she's a little worn out after four years of Division I tennis.

"I'm going to miss it a lot. The competitiveness, that's why I play tennis, I love getting out there and competing, pushing myself and the other girls on the team," Svetlic said.

Though tennis may be put on hold, her competitive spirit won't keep her away from sports. Svetlic plans to lace up those volleyball shoes once again.

"I know I'll play in a recreational league," said Svetlic of her impending volleyball career.

But for now she plans to finish school and graduate in December with a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and Fitness with a minor in business. Svetlic is excited about having a little free time for the first time in a long while.

"I'm looking forward to trying new things, new sports," Svetlic said. "My roommates and I have a list of stuff we want to do."

Whether the net she serves over is three feet or seven her intensity never wavers. Svetlic has made a strong run at Missouri and has put herself in the record books.

Although she has seen her final days playing competitively for the Tigers her tennis days are surely far from over. And perhaps her volleyball days are just beginning.