Scholar Stories: Miller Thrives in Competition, On and Off the Tennis Court
3/16/2022 11:45:00 AM | Women's Tennis, Features
Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.
By Catherine Heher
At first glance, it seems like Kari Miller was destined to play tennis at the University of Michigan. She started playing when she was around three years old, surrounded by relatives who played tennis and an aunt who played professionally. Michigan was also in her blood: Miller grew up in Ann Arbor with two alumni parents, both of whom have been heavily involved in the campus community.
But Miller makes it clear that one does not reach her level of success without taking full ownership of their athletic and academic careers.
"It was a slow, subtle transition from my parents being in charge to my taking over," she explained.
Miller says the summer before her freshman year of high school was when things really started to change. She trained incredibly hard through the spring, eventually placing third at two national tournaments over the summer. Miller had always been good at tennis, but those successes revealed a whole other level of talent she could tap into through hard work and determination.
The decision to come to Michigan was very much her own as well. She grew up watching the women's team whenever they played in Ann Arbor and witnessed coaches Ronni Bernstein and Teryn Ashley-Fitch in action. She was elementary school-age when she first started thinking she might want to play tennis and study at Michigan.
"The balance between school and athletics is really special here," she noted, focusing particularly on the strength of the Ross School of Business where she is currently enrolled.
Miller's intensity on the court is just as present in her studies. She interned at a private equity firm in New York City last summer with only a year of college under her belt. Currently, she is in the process of applying to internships in either private equity or investment banking for the summer after her junior year; a highly competitive process in a highly competitive industry.
"I'm definitely a numbers person," she confessed, "but I don't think that's the most interesting thing about the industry."
She was looking for a career path that would allow her to utilize the same competitive nature and discipline that she has cultivated as an athlete. Miller has known coaches and other players who have had success in the industry, and she felt it would be an exciting way to bring her skills as an athlete into a real-life situation.
In many ways, Miller's athletic and career ambitions are one in the same. She possesses a predisposition and natural talent for both, but it is her drive, discipline, and competitive nature that makes her a standout. Miller does not settle for good when she knows she could be great.
This commitment can certainly be all-consuming.
"Essentially you don't have a work-life balance, at least in the early years," Miller admitted in regards to the finance industry, "but for me, that's no different than what I'm experiencing right now. I don't have tons of free time."
At the core of Miller's motivations is a genuine desire to do and experience life. If she had a free weekend off, she says she would likely spend it traveling with friends and exploring her interest in photography, a hobby that has taken a backseat to her demanding schedule. She enjoyed living in New York City this past summer for similar reasons: the fast pace and the new experiences. Miller is ultimately a person who gets it done, whether that be going to tennis practice in Ann Arbor or getting on a plane to a new city for a new job.
While she is certainly a person with a lot of internal motivation, the people in Miller's life also play a huge role in her success. She strives to be the best, not just for herself, but also for her teammates.
"Part of the reason why I've had good individual results is because I'm playing for a team. That's what motivates me," she said. While tennis is an individualized sport, Miller believes that team results are the most important, what happens individually comes second.
She feels that being on a team has been the most defining part of her Michigan career so far. It is an experience she did not have much in high school and is incredibly grateful for in college, not only because it pushes her to be a better player, but because of the support and camaraderie.
Miller is only a sophomore, so while she has many ideas about her future -- possibly playing tennis professionally for a couple of years and ultimately working in finance -- her focus right now is simply on striving to be her best. She will continue the process of applying to internships and keep striving to succeed in the classroom. On the court, she has a couple of individual goals she would like to work toward, but her team is at the forefront of her mind.
"I want my team to win the Big Ten and hopefully make at least the Sweet Sixteen, if not further in the NCAA Tournament," she said. "The main goal is to focus on how my team is doing."
Players Mentioned
