Breaking the Mold

KENTUCKY ENJOYS DIVERSITY ON THEIR TEAM

By Emma Knight

The ladies 4.0 Kentucky team prides themselves on being diverse. “We are not a cookie cutter team,” said Lesa Clark. Not many teams in Mobile have a lawyer, dairy farmer, college student, personal trainer, psychologist and a college tennis coach,” Clark said.

This Kentucky team made up of members from both Kentucky and Illinois was formed six years ago, but some of their members have been playing together for over fifteen years.

“We have teammates as young as nineteen, or as old as sixty. Everyone brings a different personality to the team. We always have a good time together,” said Clark.

Birthdays are a big deal for these Kentucky women. “We celebrate birthdays with vengeance,” said captain Vicki Woods.

For teammate Jamie’s 30^th birthday this year, four players did a rap performance complete with urban attire and of course “bling bling.” Another member of the team is turning 60 this year; perhaps there will be an encore performance for this birthday.

These ladies may have a lot of fun on and off the court, but be warned ... join their team and there is probably a chance you will get pregnant or injured. This spring alone the team has suffered three knee MRIs and two resulting knee surgeries. Three players have had knee replacements, and one has had a back fusion. One of their teammates is sitting out this season because of pregnancy.

Kentucky has still overcome all of these obstacles to make it through States and now Sectionals.