Loprinzi Relishes Senior Season

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State tennis player Caitlin Loprinzi had an “in” at ISU. The Rochester, Minn. native was tipped off by former Cyclone tennis player and fellow Rochester native, Jill Palen. At about the same time Iowa State head coach, Michele Conlin, was being tipped off about Loprinzi.

“Jill Palen's parents said that she was a great player and an even better person,” Conlon said. “We brought her in for a visit, and recruited her very hard. Caitlin is the type of person and the level of player that all schools want.”

Loprinzi made an official visit to Iowa State and “pretty much fell in love with the school.”

“It felt right, and I knew this was the place for me,” Loprinzi said.

Since becoming a Cyclone, Loprinzi has felt like she was part of a second family.

“In high school, there is varsity and JV,” Loprinzi said. You don't get to know everyone like I know my (Iowa State) teammates now. I absolutely love it.”

She would need all of the support both families could provide during a stretch of several significant injuries.

“For my first two years at Iowa State, I was sidelined with injuries from my wrist, to my foot, to my shoulder ? pretty much everything,” Loprinzi said. “It was really hard emotionally and physically to have to go through two surgeries and everything. But the rehab worked. This is the first season that I have been able to start off and play.”

The rehabilitation process was challenging for the senior, who started playing tennis when she was five-years old.

“Caitlin has endured two wrist surgeries and dealt with this and other physical challenges as well as anyone could,” Conlon said. “It has been a very rewarding story to follow as a coach, to watch her hard work.”

Loprinzi celebrated a return to her hometown last weekend. She led the Cyclones in a 7-0 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay in a match played in Rochester, Minn. Loprinzi won in straight sets over Lauryn Grimando, 6-1, 6-3. She then teamed with fellow Rochester native Alyssa Palen, the younger sister of Jill, to win her doubles match, 6-0, 6-0. Loprinzi called the hometown match bittersweet.

“It was great to go back and play on the courts I played on growing up,” Loprinzi said. “But I knew it would be the last time I would be competing there so it was a little sad thinking that I probably won't be back competing there again.”

Loprinzi's future is bright. The biology major is a first-team academic all-Big 12 honoree. Her positive attitude is affirmed by the ISU awards she has earned since coming to Iowa State. She has been recognized as the team's most persistent player and hardest worker.

“If you are a professor at Iowa State University I think you want Caitlin in your classroom,” Conlon said. “She is going to work hard, she's intelligent, she cares and she is looking at going to medical school. I think if you are a teammate you want Caitlin around because she is going to make you better. Her positive attitude is contagious. She really leads in a positive way and makes her teammates feel good about what they are contributing as well.”

While Loprinzi has an eye on being a physician, she is still open to other opportunities.

“My backup plan is to apply at the Teach for America program,” Loprinzi said.

TFA is a national teacher corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach and to effect change in under-resourced urban and rural communities.

Playing collegiate tennis and pursuing a college degree has not been without its barriers for Loprinzi but she has successfully negotiated each hurdle and looks to finish tennis and school strong.

“It's been up and down but very exciting,” Loprinzi said. “It is up right now and that is where I want to finish.”

Conlon has nothing but good things to say about this Cyclone.

“Caitlin is the ideal role model for your kids, boys or girls, just by the way she handles herself on and off the court. She brings so much to the school, community and Iowa State athletics.”

Loprinzi's teammates would be the first to second that opinion.

Players Mentioned

Caitlin Loprinzi

Caitlin Loprinzi

Alyssa Palen

Alyssa Palen

Jill Palen

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