Recruiting Profile
VanPelt Signs to Play for Hometown Jayhawks
by Rhiannon Potkey, 25 December 2024
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Kinley VanPelt (WTN: 19.0) made visits to major colleges across the Southeast and Southwest. The Lawrence, Kansas native wanted to explore other areas of the country before making her commitment.
But in the end, VanPelt didn’t stray far from her roots. The four-star senior and lifelong University of Kansas fan signed to play with the hometown Jayhawks.
Senior Kinley VanPelt Has Signed with Kansas
© Contributed Photo
“Everyone told me you need to find a place that feels like home, and Kansas did because it was my home,” VanPelt said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play for Kansas, and I get to stay close to my family.”
VanPelt signing came on the heels of a stubborn foot injury that sidelined her from tennis for an extended period. She first injured her foot in 2022 and had surgery in 2023. VanPelt finally got back on the court this year, only for the pain to return and necessitate another surgery.
“When it came to recruiting, it definitely was hard because coaches sometimes were a little bit nervous that I was having surgery right when the recruiting period started,” VanPelt said. “But a lot of coaches still had faith, because thankfully I still had a good record that summer previously.”
Although the injury toyed with VanPelt’s emotions, she has been able to find some positives from the time off the court.
“It definitely helped me mentally, because I’d been playing tennis every single day my entire life,” she said. “When that is taken away from you, and you realize tennis is pretty much your whole life, that was pretty difficult. It definitely made my heart and my passion for tennis a lot bigger. It makes me want it more now than I ever have before.”
VanPelt’s dad is a tennis coach, and she was on the court as soon as she could hold a racket. Her older sister Keegan, a senior playing for the University of Nebraska Omaha, has been her lifelong hitting partner and mentor.
“My dad was the reason I fell in love with tennis. Since I was just a baby, he has been my No. 1 fan, motivator, and supporter,” VanPelt said. “My dad has been more than just a father. He was my first coach and will be my forever coach. He is the true reason I am the player and person I am today on and off the court. He is my biggest inspiration. From early mornings to late night hits after work, he has sacrificed everything to get me to my dreams.”
VanPelt is on the student council at her high school, where she helps plan events like dances. Having more time to devote to school during her injury was one pleasant diversion to keep her busy.
“It definitely made me do things that I've never done before, that normal kids have done,” she said. “Like, I've never really been home around the holidays with my family. I was usually off with a coach or a tennis friend traveling for a tournament or just one of my parents, so I never really got the whole normal child Christmas or Thanksgiving. It was nice.”
VanPelt has musical talents that she enjoys cultivating. She has played the guitar since she was 14 and asked for one for her birthday.
“I have played the ukulele since the third grade, and I kind of got tired of it because it's just small and plays the same thing,” VanPelt said. “I decided that I wanted to get a guitar, but I don't really take lessons or anything. I just teach myself.”
VanPelt is undecided on a major at Kansas, but she is considering pre-med or pre-law. Being able to represent the Jayhawks means a lot to VanPelt and she’s happy to be staying so close to home.
“My whole family has been such a huge support system for me,” VanPelt said. “My mom and little brother always watch my live matches and cheer from afar, and my grandparents have always been there for me. I am very excited to get to play for the team I grew up watching all these years.”
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About Rhiannon Potkey
Rhiannon Potkey is a veteran sportswriter with more than two
decades of experience in journalism. Potkey has covered many
sports at many levels and has a passion for finding great stories.
Potkey has covered the U.S. Open, junior sectional and national
events, college conference championships and Davis Cup matches.
Potkey is currently Content Strategist for Tennis Recruiting. You
can reach Rhiannon by email at
[email protected].
