KIENKAS ARE ON A ROLL

Kienkas are on a roll
By Jide Alaka with Agency reports
March 18, 2010 02:34AM
Lolia Kienka in action for Shaw University. Photo: REUTERS

Kalada Kienka and his sister, Lolia were yesterday named CIAA Men's and Women's Tennis Players of the Week, respectively. Last week, both players continued season-long winning streaks.

Kalada Kienka, who originally hails from Lagos and a junior at Shaw University, played four matches last week and was unbeaten. He defeated all his opponents from Chowan, Bluefield State, Charleston, and Division I Norfolk State convincingly.

In eight sets (two per match), he dropped only four games. His singles record for the season stands at 10-0.

He has been partnered by Milos Stankovic in the doubles and their record is also commendable, standing at 8-2. This include four wins in last week's matches.

The Bears, as Shaw University sports team are known are 5-5 on the season.

His sister, Lolia Kienka, also from Nigeria, was also on the record setting mood. She has remained unbeaten in singles matches. She also defeated opponents from Chowan and Norfolk State. She dropped only five games in four sets throughout the week and that has brought her season singles record to 8-0.

With doubles partner Evan Okafor, she has lost and won one match respectively. Their loss was to Division I opponents, Norfolk State. They have a record of 6-2 for the season.

The men's and women's tennis teams will travel to Petersburg, for the CIAA Tennis Roundup on Friday and Saturday.

Trained at home
Their father, Godwin Kienka was obviously happy with the development. 'I just got the information too and I am very happy. The school is now depending on them to take them further than they went last season. This also helps them to keep their scholarship and emoluments.' 'It shows that if we do our home work well, we can produce good tennis players from the country. My children are a perfect example. I trained them here before they got into school and they will only get better.' Godwin, a resource person for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), said his children would have loved to be part of the national team for the upcoming Africa Junior Tennis Championship starting in Abuja next week: 'Kalada would have loved to be here, some of the players are his friends but this time is their tennis season in America and since their scholarship is tied to performance, they have to stay there.' The Shaw University team will return to home courts on March 25, for a match against North Greenville University.