TEMPLE WOMEN'S TENNIS NEWSLETTER

Can you just bring us up to date on your life today?

"My name is Ksenia Power. I am currently an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Public Health at Temple University. This is my full-time position, and I truly enjoy the work I do. I began my time at Temple in 2016 as a first-year PhD student in kinesiology, and during that year I also met the coaching staff of the women’s tennis team. That connection led me to volunteer as an assistant coach for several years while pursuing my studies."

What made you want to stay connected with tennis and coach while pursuing a PhD?

"I am a very competitive person and was a competitive tennis player for many years. It has always been important to me to stay connected to the sport. I love tennis deeply, and that love will never go away. When I arrived at Temple, I asked whether the team needed help in any capacity. I thought I might at least be able to hit with the players to keep my own level up, but Coach Mauro offered me the opportunity to serve as a volunteer assistant coach. I joined practices whenever I could and supported the team during matches, and I immediately said yes."

How did those experiences shape you personally, professionally, and educationally?

"First, coaching the team allowed me to stay meaningfully connected to the sport. I was impressed with the high level of the women’s tennis team—we consistently competed against excellent programs, and I had not realized how strong Temple’s team truly was. Practicing with them pushed me as a player and reminded me of the intensity I experienced as a student-athlete myself.
It also demanded renewed discipline. As a Division I player, I practiced in the afternoons, but at Temple the team trained early, with the bus leaving at 6:15 AM on weekdays. I couldn’t attend every practice, but when I did, I found myself returning to that disciplined athlete mindset. I had great respect for how hard the players and coaches worked, and that environment made me stronger personally and professionally, even though I was no longer a member of the team myself."

Do you follow professional tennis? Do you have any favorite players?

"I do follow professional tennis closely. I don’t typically idolize specific players, but I enjoy following rankings and results. I particularly appreciate humble athletes. For example, Elena Rybakina recently won the WTA Finals, and I admire her because she is incredibly talented yet remains modest and respectful. Roger Federer, he is retired now of course, but he is another great example of that balance. I watch professional tennis regularly and continue to follow the sport closely."

Do you have a favorite memory from coaching at Temple, either on court or off?

"One of my favorite aspects was the camaraderie and positive atmosphere in practices. Coach always found ways to make training challenging yet fun, there were jokes, music, and a strong team spirit. I also had the opportunity to travel to Florida with the team once, possibly during spring break or conference play, I can't remember. It was a perfect combination of competition and team bonding. I warmed up the players, watched their matches, and experienced the travel routine with them. We competed hard, but we also enjoyed evenings together, including team dinners. It was an unforgettable trip, and Coach Mauro always found ways to make these experiences enjoyable."

Being a student athlete yourself, and then eventually a coach, what lesson would you want to share with out current crop of student athletes.

"As both a former Division I tennis player and someone closely involved with the Temple program, my biggest message is to value every single moment. Being a student-athlete is demanding—there are days when you don’t want to pick up a racket, go to the gym, or study. But those four years go by very quickly, and you may never have another experience like it.

Temple also offers something special. I played at Stephen F. Austin State University in a small Texas town and then at the University of Akron, which was bigger but still not comparable to Philadelphia. Temple is in one of the most vibrant, historic, and culturally diverse cities in the country, just minutes from Center City. Looking back, I sometimes wish I had started my collegiate career here—I likely would have never thought of transferring. So I would tell current players: appreciate your coaches, the resources, the program, and the city around you. Enjoy every day."