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July 1, 2009
This is the fifth in a series of 13 features about Miami University's brightest student-athletes. Their exceptional academic performance during the recently completed spring semester earned them a spot on the roster of the RedHawks' exclusive Straight-A Team. In addition to their rigorous schedules on the athletic fields, each of these individuals earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average this past semester.
If Miami Tennis player Riekie Honiball can replicate the success of her freshman season, she's in for a tremendous career.
On the court, the Windhoek, Nambia, native helped the RedHawks to Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships and their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. In the classroom, she went through the spring semester with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average to become of member of the Straight-A Team.
Honiball played No. 6 singles for Miami, posting a 9-12 overall record while splitting her matches in league play with a 4-4 mark. But where she made her biggest mark was in doubles, teaming with Brintney Larson for a 15-7 record (6-1 MAC) at No. 3. Several of their late-season wins gave Miami the doubles point.
Balancing school and sports is not an easy task, but Honiball certainly made it look that way. She said it is something she learned early on in her career. "Balancing school and tennis is definitely a challenge, but because I've been spending a lot of time on tennis all my life, it has taught me a lot of discipline especially with time management. There are times which are harder than others, especially exam weeks when we're in season. Missing class is probably the toughest part of it, but it also gives me a chance to take my mind off my studies and enjoy time with my team."
Her discipline resulted in a 3.86 GPA for the entire year, quite an accomplishment given her Mathematics and Statistics major. She credits her mom for her success as she also has a love for mathematics. "My mom has always shown interest in my school results and motivated me to try my best. She is always very proud of me when I get good grades, but never disappointed because she knows that I always give my best. She was probably the biggest influence that made me want to pursue a career as an actuary."
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Honiball stayed in the United States for the first half of the summer, attending an Athletes in Action camp. There, she had the chance to develop both her tennis game and her relationship with God. "It was definitely one of the best weeks of my life. Apart from that, I visited a friend in Kentucky and then came home last week (June 21)."
She has been practicing tennis and visiting friends and family at home, but is ready to start a vacation job at Sanlam Namibia - an insurance company in her home country.
Since her homeland is south of the equator, she missed the summer season, although yesterday's weather had a mild range of 46 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. "Everyone complains that it is very cold and most people don't have heaters. After a winter in the States, though, I love this weather, just cold enough that you don't feel like you're boiling when you're playing tennis! And then, I'm going to have some snow when I get back... perfect combo!
STRAIGHT-A TEAM
Hometown/HS: Windhoek, Namibia. Attended Windhoek High School for 1½ years before graduating from Stellenbosch High School.Upcoming Year: Sophomore
Major: Mathematics and Statistics
Minor: Actuarial Science
Spring Semester GPA: 4.0
Overall GPA: 3.86
Someone to Look Up To: Gerrie Berner, my coach at Stellenbosch. He is very wise and taught me to really love tennis.
Most Difficult Class at Miami: American Politics and Diversity. But most of the classes for the Miami Plan are difficult because they are not in the areas of my biggest interest.
Favorite Class/Subject: Calculus... Actually all Math courses
One thing People should know about Namibia: We have each one of the big 5 animals in the country - Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopards. We also have the biggest cheetah population in the world.
Hometown Food Specialty: "Braai vleis" (barbequed meat, especially mutton)
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