As a small girl in Kazakhstan, Karina Jarlkaganova didn’t particularly care for tennis. She would play for her father, when he suggested she should. As a young woman, she would play for her country, representing Kazakhstan on both the national and the International Tennis Federation’s Federal Cup teams. She would win a national championship by 18 .

And now, as a freshman with the Hornets, she plays not only for the sake of the team, but her family. In an age when the athletes we watch seem to focus on the “me” aspect of sports, Jarlkaganova’s selflessness provides a refreshing juxtaposition.

“I like to be a team member, I enjoy it very much. I want to do my very best for the team,” she said.

After graduating high school, her family would move from their hometown of Almaty, Kazakhstan, to the chilly climate of Toronto, Canada. She believes her parents emigrated in order to provide the family with better opportunities, particularly her 10-year-old little sister.

“Maybe for a better life. I have a little sister, and mostly it’s for her. For her education, for her better life,” Jarlkaganova said.

Like so many athletes, she had aspirations of playing professionally. But money was hard to come by in Toronto, so Karina decided she could best contribute to the family by educating herself. “I did nothing in Canada except I was learning English ?” very hard ?” and I played tennis.”

When her English reached an adequate level, she sent tennis scholarship requests to American schools, one of which would reach Hornet tennis coach Bill Campbell’s desk.

“He answered really fast, like the next day. He called me, and that’s it, I’m here now. My family is very happy-they got rid of me,” she said.

Said Campbell: “It depended on her learning how to speak English to help the family out. She hadn’t taken the SAT before, but she passed it. She’s very smart.”

Leaving Toronto for Sacramento was a welcome transition- “It’s just too cold, I’m not a winter person”- and one made smoother by the surplus of Russian-speaking girls that constitute this season’s team, including leader Margarita Karnaukhova and several of her fellow freshman teammates.

“I’m happy that there are so many Russians here. I feel like I’m not alone,” she said.She has the on-court qualities that coaches covet.

“Well, I think I’m very consistent. Maybe I can’t hit as hard as Margarita can, but I’m very consistent and I can play long matches- three sets, four hours- and I think that’s my strength,” Jarlkaganova said.

Campbell recognizes her steadiness, but lists another of her talents that isn’t easily taught, or learned.

“She’s very consistent on the court,” Campbell said, adding that, “There are very few young women who can move on the court as well as she can. She’s very fast.”

Jarlkaganova had a chance to showcase her talents earlier this year at the Wailea Tennis Classic in Wailea, Hawaii, when she matched up with Oregon’s star Dominika Dieskova, the No. 26 player in the nation at the time. Although she lost, the match earned her some respect from the team, as well as a measure of confidence.

“I think I could have beat her. I don’t know why I was so nervous. I think that maybe I’m not experienced enough in tournaments. I don’t know actually. It happens.”

Still, there are dimensions of her game that need improvement. Campbell admits that although it has been steadily improving, her serve can use some work. But above all, he’s looking for her to become more aggressive.

“I actually believe that when she learns how to be more aggressive, she’ll be one of the top players in the nation,” Campbell said.

For now, Jarlkaganova will continue to work and play here at Sacramento State, content in the fact that furthering her education translates into better opportunities for her family back in Toronto. Well, not too content.

“There is no perfection, never ever. I always need to work on something and improve.”

Josh Terrell can be reached at [email protected]