The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Sports

KELLEY HYNDMAN [Click to enlarge]

Former Bulldog Kelley Hyndman knows all too well what younger sister, Yvette, and the rest of the Georgia women tennis players are going through.

It was just one year ago that Kelley, as a senior, led an overachieving Georgia team to a victory in the SEC tournament finals over fierce rival Florida. Not only did Kelley win all three of her matches during the tournament, but also she was named MVP for her efforts, calling it the "best moment" of her collegiate career.

Kelley, who finished her college career with 82 singles victories, has returned to the University this season as an assistant coach to Jeff Wallace's No. 2-ranked squad after exhausting her eligibility last year.

But these days aren't exactly the same for Kelley. The elder Hyndman doesn't get to pick up a racket as often. Instead, she focuses on coaching the current players during their matches.

"It's been good [being back]," Kelley said. "I have a good relationship with all the girls because I've been so close to the program over the years. I think they like the extra support, and they trust me and listen to me, so it works out well."

There is, however, one notable exception. Kelley doesn't advise Yvette while she's on the court, but off the court Kelley enjoys mentoring her little sister.

"Most of the time, I won't coach her on the court. I'll stay away," Kelley said. "But at home, I'll give her a little bit of advice sometimes. But, it's only as much as she wants to hear. But I think she listens even though she doesn't want to.

"I try to give her advice. Deep down, she does listen. But sometimes, you butt heads in between. When it comes to tennis, I think the support of me being here helps her. "

While Kelley may support Yvette away from the tennis court, the elder Hyndman sister admits that watching her sister play makes her quite uneasy.

Take, for instance, Yvette's match last Saturday versus Baylor. With the overall dual match score knotted at 3-all, the then No. 41-ranked Yvette was the last lady left on the court for Georgia. But Yvette came from behind to win a tough three-set match against the Bears' No. 54-ranked Csilla Borsanyi.

"It's very nerveracking when she's playing. I try not to watch as much as I can except when I have to," Kelley said. "It was really good for her to get through that match."

With all the insight she has received from her sister, Yvette acknowledges the influence Kelley has had on her career.

"When I came in my freshman year, she was a junior," Yvette said. "Obviously, she had a big impact on me. She helped me learn how to be on a team and I've watched her before I even came to Georgia in dual matches."

As for Kelley coaching her younger sister sometime in the near future, it may depend on Yvette's play that particular match.

"She hasn't [come to my court] yet, but I don't know how I'd feel about that. If I'm winning, I'd probably like it, but if I'm losing, I probably wouldn't want to hear it," Yvette joked.

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