Published: June 16, 2009 11:14 pm         

Tefft named to USTA college elite team

Kelcy Tefft, after an All-American career at Notre Dame, is prepared to take the next step in her tennis life.

The former Chisholm product has been selected as one of 24 players for the United States Tennis Association’s summer collegiate tennis team, an elite training program for the top American players. The USTA will help with expenses, coaching, clothing and equipment. Tefft will attend a pro transition camp in Atlanta July 6-9.

She will be required to play in four pro tournaments, beginning with a $10,000 stop in Wichita, Kan., next week.

Tefft earned the spot by being ranked No. 2 in doubles nationally for most of the season with Irish teammate Kristy Frilling. She was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Senior Player of the Year.

“It’s really exciting,’’ Tefft said. “I knew I had a good shot at it because we were the top-ranked doubles team. It’s a good opportunity to play with some of the top girls in the country.

“It’s nice to start out with a little bit of money because it can be quite expensive. I’m definitely going to take advantage of this.’’

Tefft received her degree from Notre Dame with a double major in sociology and computer application. How she does in the four satellite tournament will give her an idea of whether to pursue a pro career actively.

“I’ll see how much I want to play and what I want to do,’’ she said. “I’m eventually going to go back to school to get my master’s in something.’’

Tefft left Notre Dame as the school’s all-time leader in doubles wins (154) and fourth in singles wins (110). She and Frilling finished 37-4 this season, losing to Tennessee’s Natalie Pluskota and Caitlin Whorisky 7-6, 6-3 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Tefft lost in the first round in singles at the NCAAs.

“There are no easy rounds in the NCAAs,’’ Tefft said. “I had a great time the last four years. I had a lot of support from my team, family and friends back. I couldn’t have asked for any more there.’’

Brooke Buck, Tefft’s long-time partner in both juniors and Notre Dame, will play with her at Wichita and maybe at a tournament in Atlanta after the camp.

“It’s very tough changing from a team to being an individual,’’ Tefft said. “Having Brooke there is going to make it a lot easier. I’m real excited to start playing with her again. It’s nice the first tournament is so close.’’

Her biggest adjustment, she said, will be not having a team behind her as she had at Notre Dame.

“There’s a lot of pressure both ways,’’ she said about playing for money. “We’ll see how it is when we travel.’’

Her coaches will be Princeton’s Kathy Sell and the University of California’s Amanda Augustus. Augustus’ team fell in the NCAA women’s team finals.

The coaches will travel with the group.

“That makes it a lot nicer,’’ Tefft said.

The satellite tournaments with small purses ($10,000) won’t be that much different from what Tefft saw at Notre Dame, especially at No. 1 singles.

“It’s going to be a little tougher but I’m sure I’ll do OK,’’ Tefft said. “I just want to get in some good matches and see where I want to go. If I have a good time, I’ll continue. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll figure something else to do.’’

Tefft has taken some time out since the NCAAs to rest and let some injuries take care of themselves.

When and if she pursues her master’s, she would like to go coach like Buck is at OU. She plans to go “someplace warmer’’ than Notre Dame was.

Enid will be her base this summer. She doesn’t know what other two tournaments she’ll play in. Tefft must complete the four by October. She may play in either Lexington, Ky., or Missouri.

“I’ve always worked for this,’’ said Tefft about becoming a pro. “I’m really glad I went to college and didn’t go pro straight from high school. There were a lot of kids who found out that wasn’t a good idea. I was able to get my education and compete at a high level.’’