Completed Event: Tennis at #19 TCU on March 15, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 4
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#19 TCU
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Iowa State University Athletics
Hickey Makes Mark as Cyclones' Lone Senior
04.22.2009 | Tennis
AMES, Iowa ? Kara Hickey has learned patience and perseverance in her four years at Iowa State, but those qualities paid off this season when she led the Cyclones to their first Big 12 tennis victory since the 2002 season. Hickey is the only senior on this season's squad and she clinched the 4-3 victory over Kansas State on March 13, in just her second match back from a nagging knee injury.
“The win was very satisfying,” Hickey said. “Ever since I've arrived at Iowa State, the goal and motivation of the team was to win a Big 12 match. Although my career hasn't gone quite like I'd hoped, it feels complete to have accomplished what to others may seem like a small feat, but for us, at the time, felt like winning a championship.”
Hickey has had to battle various injuries throughout her career, making the opportunity to just be back on the court that much more meaningful.
“It was definitely a challenge having to deal with injuries and work to come back and be able to play at the level I used to,” Hickey said. “Overall, even though I think my injuries have held me back from being able to realize my potential athletically, I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had and the injuries have helped build my character.”
Due to injuries, Hickey has been forced to do a lot of work in the training room and the weight room with an athletic trainer by her side. It's limited the opportunities she has had to work with her younger teammates, but it hasn't stopped her from contributing to the team's success.
“She's been great,” ISU head coach Armando Espinosa said. “Unfortunately she has lost most of the season to injury, and that's kind of been hard. Even though she was working out in the weight room and in rehab, she didn't really have the connection with the freshmen or sophomores that we would have loved for her to have. She was doing her own thing, but when she stepped on the court, she took care of business and that's the kind of leadership you are looking for from a senior. Some people are more vocal than others and she just did the things we asked her to do. It meant a lot more when she won the Big 12 match against Kansas State.”
The Columbia, Mo., native can appreciate the significance of the win over Kansas State at a different level than most of her teammates, since most of the Cyclones are freshmen and sophomores. She's been through the battles and held out for her first conference win for four seasons.
“First of all, it's been exciting to see the team progress and grow under Armando's leadership,” Hickey said. “Seeing us take the next step to get this program to the next level has been pretty exciting. Our seniors got the ball moving last year, but they didn't get to be a part of this, so I am glad that I was able to experience it.”
Hickey is extremely competitive. She loves pressure situations like being the final competitor in the K-State match, with a win on the line. She's also up for a challenge in the classroom, working on a degree in statistics and hoping for a future in the field of actuarial science. She has made the Academic All-Big 12 First Team all three years she was eligible.
“My dad is really into math and I've always enjoyed it,” Hickey said. “Statistics was a subject I really liked. When I came here and looked at the school, Iowa State had a really strong statistics program, one of the largest in the country. It was a pretty obvious choice for me. It's challenging. It's a lot of math and crunching numbers and it is something I thought I would enjoy.”
Hickey has progressed this season on the court as well. She went winless at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles slots during dual play last season, but she has moved down to play in No. 6 singles this season and earned wins over opponents from Kansas State and UMKC. She has also teamed up with Erin Karonis to play No. 1 doubles this season.
“I had a great experience and great opportunities at Iowa State,” Hickey said. “Playing in the Big 12 means you get to play some of the best players and teams in the country, which is what I wanted out of college tennis. I was surrounded by a special and supportive group of people who became my family away from home.”
Hickey will have her last opportunity to compete for the Cyclones this week, when Iowa State travels to Norman, Okla., for the Big 12 Championships. She is slated to play doubles as the Cyclones face No. 6 seed Oklahoma State at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of play.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, April 10
Friday, May 12
Friday, May 12
Saturday, May 06
