TicketsCINCINNATI - Kelli Niehaus is a junior on the Bearcats' tennis team who hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and went to Mount Notre Dame high school. She currently holds a 3-0 record in singles action this season and is 2-2 in doubles play with partner Callie Flanagan. We sat down with Kelli to learn more about the local girl from Cincinnati.
Why did you choose to stay in Cincinnati?
"I honestly never planned to stay in Cincinnati. I took a tour here and immediately fell in love with the campus, the facilities and the programs."
What does it mean for you to be from Cincinnati, especially with the spotlight on the city right now?
"I think its cool to be from here, representing my city. Its insane how well this city is doing from the Bengals to the Bearcats - I'm loving it!"
How did you get involved with tennis?
"My mom played a little tennis in high school, my older sister played for Ohio State and my brother played for NKU. So basically I'm from a big tennis family. I followed in my sister and brother's footsteps, we all have been playing since we were very littl.e"
How do you feel about getting off to a good start this season being 3-0 in singles?
"Good, really good. I love competing and representing this school. I'm excited to be coming off of fall tournaments and go into duel matches as a team."
How do you de-stress after a match?
"I like to hang out with my friends, eat something and hang out with my Puggle, Maggie."
Who are your tennis icons?
"My tennis roll model is my sister, Sandy and my brother, Andrew. As for people on the tour I would say Simone Halep because she is just a really good competitor."
Have you ever been to the Western Southern open in Mason?
"I go every year! Its exciting to get to see everyone actually there in person, instead of on TV. I go with my family, friends and teammates it's definitely something I look forward to going to every year."
How's campus life for you been since your first year got turned on its head with the pandemic?
"My first semester was very good, then Covid hit. I am now getting used to being on campus more again. It was so sad to not see anybody on campus last year when we would be practicing."
What's your favorite hangout spot or restaurant off campus?
"I do like skyline, being from Cincinnati I have to! I like going to some of the cute shops and restaurants in Over the Rhine."
What are some of your favorite memories so far at UC?
"Traveling to the conference Championship in Florida and playing at the USTA campus. Honestly though, any of the matches. One of the most exciting matches last year was against Marshall because It came down to three-all and it was just a really exciting moment for the team."
Why do you love tennis?
"I would say I love all sports. But tennis is different because there is the singles aspect of it so you have to bring yourself up. In college you have the team aspect and I've always loved being apart of a team. I think tennis has been a big factor in other parts of my life such as teamwork and time management."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I am an accounting major through the College of Business, so I hope to have passed my CPA exam by then. I hope to be working at a accounting firm, I just don't know what one yet. Another thing is I hope to just travel, that's just something I have always wanted to do."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats head north to Cleveland, Ohio to face off agains tToledo University Saturday, Feb. 19 and Cleveland State Sunday, Feb. 20.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Why did you choose to stay in Cincinnati?
"I honestly never planned to stay in Cincinnati. I took a tour here and immediately fell in love with the campus, the facilities and the programs."
What does it mean for you to be from Cincinnati, especially with the spotlight on the city right now?
"I think its cool to be from here, representing my city. Its insane how well this city is doing from the Bengals to the Bearcats - I'm loving it!"
How did you get involved with tennis?
"My mom played a little tennis in high school, my older sister played for Ohio State and my brother played for NKU. So basically I'm from a big tennis family. I followed in my sister and brother's footsteps, we all have been playing since we were very littl.e"
How do you feel about getting off to a good start this season being 3-0 in singles?
"Good, really good. I love competing and representing this school. I'm excited to be coming off of fall tournaments and go into duel matches as a team."
How do you de-stress after a match?
"I like to hang out with my friends, eat something and hang out with my Puggle, Maggie."
Who are your tennis icons?
"My tennis roll model is my sister, Sandy and my brother, Andrew. As for people on the tour I would say Simone Halep because she is just a really good competitor."
Have you ever been to the Western Southern open in Mason?
"I go every year! Its exciting to get to see everyone actually there in person, instead of on TV. I go with my family, friends and teammates it's definitely something I look forward to going to every year."
How's campus life for you been since your first year got turned on its head with the pandemic?
"My first semester was very good, then Covid hit. I am now getting used to being on campus more again. It was so sad to not see anybody on campus last year when we would be practicing."
What's your favorite hangout spot or restaurant off campus?
"I do like skyline, being from Cincinnati I have to! I like going to some of the cute shops and restaurants in Over the Rhine."
What are some of your favorite memories so far at UC?
"Traveling to the conference Championship in Florida and playing at the USTA campus. Honestly though, any of the matches. One of the most exciting matches last year was against Marshall because It came down to three-all and it was just a really exciting moment for the team."
Why do you love tennis?
"I would say I love all sports. But tennis is different because there is the singles aspect of it so you have to bring yourself up. In college you have the team aspect and I've always loved being apart of a team. I think tennis has been a big factor in other parts of my life such as teamwork and time management."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I am an accounting major through the College of Business, so I hope to have passed my CPA exam by then. I hope to be working at a accounting firm, I just don't know what one yet. Another thing is I hope to just travel, that's just something I have always wanted to do."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats head north to Cleveland, Ohio to face off agains tToledo University Saturday, Feb. 19 and Cleveland State Sunday, Feb. 20.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.