Expect Minor to be major player

Kristina Minor, a junior tennis player for the University of Illinois, put together a memorable career at Carmel.

She expects even bigger things for her younger sister, sophomore Jasmine Minor. Minor has been ranked as high as No. 15 nationally in the 16s.

"I'm humble enough to say that she was better than I was at her age," Kristina Minor said. "Our games are pretty similar, but she's a lot more intense. She wants it bad. She wants to go pro and I have every confidence in the world that she will do it."

Early in the season, Minor is undefeated and has not dropped a set. She concentrated on USTA Tournament last year, so this is the first time she is playing at the high school tennis.

Minor, an athletic and strong player, has a big serve and powerful ground strokes.

"High school tennis is more fun than I thought it would be," Minor said. "It's really nice not to have all the pressure on your match."

The way Minor, 15, dictates play has impressed coach Nancy Fehn.

"She can place the ball anywhere she wants, and she sets up her shots very well," Fehn said.

Minor started playing tennis at age 5 and immediately embraced the game.

"I remember going to all the little kid camps and having so much fun with the drills," Minor said.

Minor began competing in national tournaments at the age of 10. She said it was a great help to have her older sister as a role model.

"She definitely got me more interested in tennis; a lot of my work ethic comes from her," Minor said. "She'll (still) check on me when I'm in tournaments. We can talk abo ut pretty much anything."

Minor can be the same role model to her younger sister. Brienne Minor, 10, already is an accomplished player.

One of Jasmine Minor's biggest tennis highlights came courtesy of another sister act. A couple of years ago she was a ball kid when Venus Williams and Serena Williams played each other in an exhibition match.

Does she have a favorite Williams sister?

"I lean toward Serena," Minor said. "She's fiery and competitive and I'm that way as well."

Her drive extends to the classroom where she receives all A's.

"I can't handle a grade of a B," she said. "It's got to be straight A's or nothing."

She also takes her role as a team leader seriously.

"I'll give feedback if I notice something that will help them," she said. "I like pushing people in practice and being a cheerleader. I (enjoy) the team aspect, and the whole team is getting so much better.