Kristin Cargill Question & Answer

April 20, 2005

Sophomore Kristin Cargill has registered a 43-20 record since arriving at Duke. A product of Atlanta, Ga., Cargill has been one of the best players this season collecting a 21-11 overall and 7-3 ACC ledger. She will lead the Blue Devils in the ACC Championship this weekend in Cary, N.C. Duke will take on N.C. State on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. Cargill sat down with GoDuke.com this week to talk about the upcoming ACC Championship.

GoDuke.com: How have you enjoyed your time at Duke these last two years?

Kristin Cargill: I've had so much fun. I mean, from the great academics, the wonderful teachers, to my sorority that I'm in, to the girls on the team, to the competition on the court; it's just so well-balanced and just overall it's been a great experience.

GoDuke.com: What sorority are you in? Have you enjoyed your experience?

Kristin Cargill: I'm a Tri-Delt (Delta Delta Delta). Yeah, it's tough during the season because you can't really participate in the meetings or the functions, but during the fall I try to do as much as I can with them.

GoDuke.com: Was it nice to have your sister, Ansley, come back this year and volunteer as a coach while she goes to school?

Kristin Cargill: Yes, definitely, because I think I was having a little trouble with my tennis at the end of last year. Over the summer she worked with me, I came here and also worked during summer school. She's just helped me improve a ton, especially with my doubles, I think, because she's pretty good in doubles.

GoDuke.com: Did you and Ansley have a lot of battles growing up on the tennis court?

Kristin Cargill: Not really, because we were in different age groups. And she was always gone, she was always traveling with the USTA all around the world. So we would just practice together, we never played. We played doubles sometimes together, in a couple satellites, and that was fun.

GoDuke.com: I know this season has been tough for the team with injuries, but it seems like the squad is coming together with the victory at eighth-ranked Georgia Tech just in time for the postseason.

Kristin Cargill: I think we're feeling more confident than we were when we first lost Jenny [Zika] and then again lost Katie [Blaszak]. When you move up in your position it's a great opportunity, but it also puts a lot more pressure on you. You're playing, obviously, better players. Like the girl I played at Clemson last year, she played two and three. This year she was playing four, I didn't even play in the match last year against Clemson, and I was listed seventh. So I think we have a lot more confidence now, in that we've gotten more matches under our belt, had closer matches and we can hopefully end with a bang.

GoDuke.com: What are the keys for a successful postseason for the Blue Devils?

Kristin Cargill: I think doubles, which has been a struggle for us. Jackie [Carleton] and I played for the second time against Tech and won and that team was ranked 15th in the country, so that was a big win. And we almost got the second doubles, too-- they had four match points. So I think if we can get the doubles point that takes so much pressure off your singles. Also, just staying out on the court as long as you can, because the longer we are on the court the better we have a chance to win.

GoDuke.com: How are you feeling about your game right now heading into postseason? What are you doing well and what do you need to work on?

Kristin Cargill: Well, at Clemson I was up a set and 2-0 and I pulled my stomach muscle. So I haven't served since then. Other than that, my doubles I feel really confident in, and I feel like I'm in good shape, so hopefully that will be healed by Thursday.

GoDuke.com: How have you changed from your freshman to sophomore season?

Kristin Cargill: I think I get along better with the coaches. Last year, I was so concerned with the line-up and where I was going to play and everything, and it just didn't help at all. So now that I just don't think about that and I just concentrate on improving, realize that I don't have any control over that, we've gotten a whole lot better. And hopefully I'm developing into a leader, so by my junior and senior years I can be a leader on the team.

GoDuke.com: This a close team that has certainly had a lot of good times together. Is there something particularly funny that has happened this season?

Kristin Cargill: I remember, it wasn't during the season, but on Halloween we had an amazing time. We went to Peter Shults' (a player on the men's tennis team) house, and two of our recruits were here. And we just had a great time there. We all dressed up as aerobics instructors, so that was fun. And Las Vegas, the time was amazing there. We had great dinners and we went shopping. So even though it has been a rough season, I feel like we've gotten closer as a team.

GoDuke.com: So the trips, like to Las Vegas, where you're spending a whole week together, does that really bring the team closer?

Kristin Cargill: Oh, yeah, definitely. I feel like I know... like Jackie, she just came this year, but I feel like she's one of my closest friends. And Lauren, too. And Clelia, she has changed dramatically from the beginning. Now she talks all the time and she participates in every conversation, and it's just great. So it definitely brings you closer together.

GoDuke.com: How have your classes been this semester?

Kristin Cargill: I love my classes, but I think they're a lot tougher for some reason this semester. I decided to major in Psychology, so I'm taking two tough Psych classes, but they're very interesting so I don't mind doing the work. And also, my teachers have been very understanding; they let me turn stuff in late and everything like that.

GoDuke.com: There is still tennis to be played, but do you know your plans for the summer?

Kristin Cargill: I am teaching a Duke tennis camp, so I will be here. I'll be helping Jamie [Ashworth] and Adam [Gusky] with that.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any idea what you want to major in yet?

Kristin Cargill: I'm a Psychology major, personality and behavioral psych. I'm very interested in mental health, abnormal psych problems. I could probably diagnose myself with a few! But I got the opportunity to work in the John Olmstead mental hospital, and that interests me a lot. Or law school. Completely opposite.

GoDuke.com: If you could play another sport at Duke what would it be and why?

Kristin Cargill: I would probably run cross-country. I love to run, I run all the time.

GoDuke.com: What other hobbies do you have other than playing tennis?

Kristin Cargill: I like to read a lot. I love shopping. Hopefully this summer Katie Blaszak will teach me how to cook, because I'm very interested in it, I just don't know how to do it that well. Traveling, too, I love to travel. I've been to Shanghi, Europe, South America, a bunch of places.

GoDuke.com: What's your favorite place that you've been?

Kristin Cargill: Costa Rica.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any pre-match rituals?

Kristin Cargill: I always re-grip my racquet, every single time I put on new grip. I always work on returns and usually quick volleys before my match.

GoDuke.com: If you could appear on the cover of any magazine, what would it be?

Kristin Cargill: Shape.

Favorites:

Type of racket: Babolat Tennis court to play on: The Riviera in Palm Springs at the Easter Bowl Food: I love pizza Book: Catcher in the Rye TV Show: The OC CD: Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits Movie: Shawshank Redemption Actor/Actress: Johnny Depp, for sure Professional team: I guess the Atlanta Falcons. I don't really watch it. Professional athlete: Michael Jordan Place at Duke: Duke Gardens when it's nice out Class at Duke: My Roman history class