Commitment Profile
Fall Signing Week '11: Kathryn Hoch Heads to Wisconsin
by Rhiannon Potkey, 13 November 2011
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Kathryn Hoch doesn't expect to be surprised by many of the gifts she receives on Christmas Day this year.
Since she has committed to play at the University of Wisconsin, the five-star recruit knows exactly what is waiting for her under the tree.
"My parents are buying me parkas, blankets and every color of Uggs possible," Hoch said. "I need to stock up on the warm clothing."
Although Hoch is a New Jersey native, her blood has thinned quickly.
She has been living and training in Hilton Head Island, S.C. while attending the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy.
"I have spent two winters in Hilton Head and the coldest it's ever gotten is like 37," Hoch said. "I am a little scared because when I was in California this summer for Hardcourts I was freezing and it was like 50."
There is a connection between Hilton Head and Hoch being recruited to Wisconsin.
Hoch has been traveling to Hilton Head during spring break since she was born.
Once she started playing tennis, Hoch's mother wanted to make sure she didn't miss any practice time on the vacations.
So she sent Kathryn to nearby Van der Meer Academy to take some lessons.
It was there an 8-year-old Kathryn first met Brian Fleishman, who is now the head coach at Wisconsin.
They have kept in contact over the years, and Fleishman offered Hoch a scholarship once she became eligible to recruit.
"That was a big factor in choosing Wisconsin," Hoch said. "I really had it down to three schools - Wisconsin, Iowa and West Virginia. I went to Wisconsin and the whole feel of the place was just amazing. The tennis facilities were amazing and I met some girls on the team who were so nice."
Hoch has always liked Fleishman's style of coaching.
"He is laid back, but he is still intense," Hoch said. "He knows when to be intense and when not to be. He is not like overpowering in any way, and when I watched their practice it seemed fun."
