Spotlight: Kiri Enloe

Kiri’s stats: height: 5’7” | plays: right-handed | resides: Lakeway, TX

Kiri is a fun and fierce competitor! She brings a winning attitude everywhere she goes, and she’s always doing her best to spread joy through pickleball! We love the chance to spotlight her!

How long have you been playing pickleball?

I've been playing pickleball for about 3 years...started around covid when all we did was play tennis. We noticed some other lines on the court and then realized it was for a sport called pickleball. We bought some cheap paddles and balls and tried it out. I instantly got addicted and never went back to tennis.

How many times per week do you play pickleball (on average)?

4-5

Pickleball Medals/awards/accomplishments (whatever this means to you!)

In the span of 3 years, I’ve earned 15 medals (7 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze)

What do you love about pickleball / Why do you play?

There are so many things that I love about this sport...the camaraderie, fitness, fierce competition, amazingly cute matching partner outfits, but most importantly I love that I can now give back and teach others how to play this awesome sport! Also, one of the best things about pickleball is that it's so inclusive and that it doesn't matter your age, skill, or gender...everyone can have fun playing together!

What is your favorite pickleball shot and why?

Well...I think any shot over the net is my favorite shot, but if you want specifics then I would have to say anything with my backhand. I do love me a good backhand topspin cross court dink, but if I'm feeling feisty then I bring out the two-handed backhand drive down the line.

What is your biggest strength on the court and why?

I think my biggest strength would be setting up my partner for the kill shots. I love engaging in the backhand cross court dinks and pulling my opponent out wide and creating that beloved "pop up" so that my partner can finish the point. I also love creating that shake and bake with my drives.

What part of your game are you currently working on?

I'm constantly trying to improve my game as much as I can but as of late I've been really focusing on re-setting balls from the transition zone. I truly believe that drilling/practicing shots in the transition zone is so underrated. Most points that are lost are likely in the this zone because you're trying to come up to the NVZ or you're pushed off the kitchen line and are playing defense. Being able to defend and re-set balls in the transition zone has brought my game up tremendously and takes a lot of pressure off having to drop the "perfect" ball.

What courts do you like to play at most?

Let's be real...any available court is the best court to play on as there's so few and far between. I do have my own court, but it's mainly used for drilling as the length does not really allow for competitive play, but I do love having friends over to do drill sessions. I'm pretty lucky that I also have friends in the area that have their own private courts and I do enjoy playing there as well. I also live close to 5 soul and will occasionally set up some fun social play there. If the weather is extreme (hot, cold, or rainy) I'll meet friends at HCI and play indoors.

Any great pickleball experience/story that you'd like to share?

There are so many amazing pickleball experiences but the most memorable one is winning gold in the 4.5 women's Texas Open and receiving the golden ticket to Nationals!! However, the weekend wasn't just about pickleball it was also a girls weekend. We wined, dined, laughed a lot, and stayed in a haunted hotel...or maybe we just celebrated so hard that I started seeing ghosts...either way it was a weekend to remember!

What do you like to do when you are not on the court playing pickleball?

When I'm not on the court playing pickleball...I like to watch pickleball (just kidding...not really). I love just chilling and hanging out with my family and friends. Friday nights are the best because it's "family night" and we usually will veg out and watch movies or swim and BBQ. We also enjoy adult game nights and dinner party with our friends. Life is so busy with kids, work, and sports so any down time is happily spent at home.