Johnson State College women’s tennis player Kali Covell has been selected as the “Basement Medicine” athlete of the week.

 
Covell, a junior from Hartford, Vermont, debuted in the sport during middle school. “I started playing tennis in seventh grade just because it was something that looked like fun and my favorite teacher was the coach,” she said. “I never expected to fall in love with the sport though. It has become like a form of therapy for me.”

 
The JSC women’s tennis team has had an excellent regular season with an overall record of nine wins and four losses. Covell has been a key contributor, playing both singles and doubles, while also being named a team captain.

 
“This season is going very well so far, individually and as a team,” Covell said. “I have always been more of a singles player; however, this year I was matched with Grace Page for doubles and we have clicked on the courts in such a great way. We have incredible communication, which has been very beneficial.”

 
Covell, like many student athletes, is very modest when discussing her strengths, and is always looking for ways to improve. “I feel like my strength is my leadership with the team as a first-year captain,” she said. “I also think that I am a fairly consistent player who doesn’t like to give up. I would like to work on making my hits more powerful and perfecting the slice shot, but most of all, I want to become a great captain for our team.”

 
Throughout her athletic career, Covell has encountered several adults whom she credits with guiding her along the path to success. “I definitely think that most of my success comes from my parents,” she said. “They put me in sports at a young age and because of that I have always been active and love trying anything that I can. As far as tennis goes, Michele Whitmore (JSC women’s tennis head coach) has helped me tremendously to learn how to be a great player on the courts and off.”

 
In addition to her parents and Whitmore, Covell has been influenced by professional tennis players. “I really like Serena Williams, not just for her playing style, but also the way she looks at tennis and inspires others,” Covell said. “She is a great role model and I would love to see her play one day.”

 
When she is not focusing all her attention on tennis, Covell, who is majoring in media arts and minoring in business, has many other interests. “I really enjoy practicing photography and anything else media arts related,” she said. “I also like helping people in any aspect that I can, and I am very excited to be going on a Badger Alternative Break trip this February. On top of that, I love taking my kitten, Kota, for walks on campus.”

 
Once she has graduated JSC, Covell desires to use her degree to create a company in her home state. “I hope to open a multi-media business involving photography, videography, and graphic design,” she said. “I would love to stay in Vermont to be near my family, so owning my own studio would be ideal. Really, I want to do anything that makes me happy.”

 
The Badgers wrapped up their season on Saturday, Oct. 8 with a 6-3 loss to Husson University at their conference semifinals. While it was not the ending Covell and her teammates desired, it marked their first winning season since Whitmore became the head coach eight years ago.