Braylen Kaiser, Pioneer’s outstanding young tennis player, discovered his love for the sport in a very unique – and sweet – way.
“When I was about 10 years old, I went to the summer camp that Liberty Athletic Club held all summer and really enjoyed it,” he remembers. “While I was there, I saw other kids eating candy and ice cream and I asked, ‘where did you get that from?’ and they said ‘from tennis.’ So, I asked the camp counselor if I could join the tennis group that they hold during camp and she agreed to let me. From then on, I played tennis and got treats.”
He’s still playing tennis and the treat comes more from his performance on the court than it does eating ice cream.
Only 15, the sophomore is playing No. 1 singles at Pioneer – a very prestigious honor considering all the great players who have come before him at the tennis powerhouse. He played varsity tennis last year as a freshman where he teamed up with Dylan Li at one doubles and the duo won their first match at States over Hudsonville before falling to eventual state champs Bloomfield Hills 6-3, 6-1.
One doubles is considered one of the most challenging spots on the team with tough competition throughout the year.
The duo reached the Regional finals before losing to Huron 4-6, 4-6. “That match was devastating, but it was still awesome that we made it that far,” Kaiser says. “Our team as a whole got first in regionals getting us to states. This got us super excited and we were pumped up and ready to play. But, after a win in the first round, Dylan and I lost to Bloomfield Hills in a very hard match. The season was great playing with Dylan, cheering each other up, getting hype for the dub, and just being great teammates to one another.”
Remember, Kaiser was only a freshman so everything last year was new to him.
“The state’s experience was awesome,” he said. “I got to cheer on our team in each of their matches to give them as much positivity to get them to the next round. Also, the best of the best players are there at the one singles spot and it was crazy to see how extraordinary they are at the sport. The next time around, I need to be more focused and on my feet to be ready and bounce around on the court giving it all I got. It’s not like I didn’t do that last time, but it’s just something to keep consistent.”
Great players are always learning. Always improving. Always working on their game and looking for that edge in what is often a very competitive atmosphere. You have to be mentally and physically strong and Kaiser is trying to raise his game in both areas.
He says that most of the time his mental game is strong and he’s able to keep himself composed and emotions in check. “At the start of most matches I get nervous because I really want to get the win,” he said. “It always starts out this way for some reason and I try to stop it, but my body just can’t. As the match progresses, the nervousness goes away.
“Breathing is a good technique that I may use before a big point. I take one big breath to ease myself for the next point. Also, talking to myself is a great way to stay positive saying things like “next point” or “right here” or “lets go, come on.”
Playing doubles last year was more of an adjustment than it was going back to singles this year. A couple of injuries slowed Kaiser down last year and cost him a shot at playing singles. That wasn’t the case this year.
“This year, I was able to practice all summer with my competition from the team giving me a good sense of what I am going to face off with in the upcoming tryouts,” he said. “When tryouts came around, I fought hard and played my game being able to get the result I wanted, one singles.”
Tennis is pretty much a year-round sport for the sophomore.
“For the past year or so, I have been playing with Liberty Athletic Club just like when I started playing,” he said. “I do group lessons and get private lessons from Dan Goldberg (a Michigan Tennis alumni). He is a great and awesome coach. He gives me great advice on how I need to change my play to make it better. I couldn’t ask for a better coach.”
While he is still in the second set of his high school career, Kaiser has some very specific goals. “I want to beat my teammates during practice every day, to never give up during any match under any circumstances, and to get over a .600 win percentage,” he says. “For the team, I want us to win regionals and blow everyone out and at least one of us make it to the second day of states (semifinals).
“Our team has a lot of different great personalities. My strengths to our team is to cheer people up and just be a funny person. During team meetings, I don’t talk that much because our captains do most of the talking but try to take the feedback and put it into my next practice or match. It’s just awesome to be surrounded by these guys on my team and I love them as teammates.”
Kaiser hopes to keep playing tennis after high school – even if there isn’t ice cream waiting after the match.
“At the rate I am going right now, I feel like I am going to need to step up my game to get into a college for tennis,” he said. “But I think I can definitely get there and that’s also my intention. I will always try hard in school and also on the court.”
Braylen, the son of Kristy and Justin Kaiser, serves up a 3.9 GPA in the classroom. He wanted to thank a couple people for providing him with so much – on and off the tennis court.
“Thank you so much mom and dad for supporting me through all my decisions with the sport,” he says. “You guys are always there for me and get me fired up before matches! It’s totally incredible to have parents like you! I love you!”
Now that really is sweet.
Photos by Terry Jacoby / WLAA-D
