Twin sisters, Frances Hina Goldsmith, a sophomore general studies major from Honolulu, Hawaii, and Maria Kana Goldsmith, a sophomore general studies major from Honolulu, Hawaii, have played tennis for Dixie State University for two years.
After this 2018 spring semester both Kana and Hina have plans to move on from DSU.
“It’s been a dream come true for us to play at a collegiate level,” Hina said.
Hina will be attending the University of Utah in the fall and her sister Kana will be attending Brigham Young University.
When they first decided to come to DSU, both Hina and Kana said it was a no-brainer.
“DSU was the only school to offer the both of us a scholarship, and our parents wanted us to be together,” Hina said.
The twins achieved an 8-3 victory against California State University Los Angeles, April 19, which was their last match as Trailblazers in the PacWest Competition.
Although they have been playing competitive tennis since high school, neither of the Goldsmith’s intend on pursuing collegiate tennis at their future institutions.
“If anything I plan to help out [with other tennis teams] or play [tennis] as a hobby,” Kana said.
Kana mentioned that she didn’t feel that she was playing up to par in the beginning of the 2017-18 season but that she learned to improve.
“Never give up no matter what your circumstances may be,” Kana said. “There was a time that I thought I wasn’t going to improve, but by not giving up and with the support of my teammates and coaches I was able to bounce back.”
Head coach Eric Pelton said he was sad to hear from the Goldsmiths of their decision to transfer, and it is unfortunate to see the twins go, but he knows that change is constant especially around this time of year.
During the recruitment process two years ago, Pelton recognized the academic and athletic achievements of the Goldsmith twins and that it was what enticed him to invite them to play for the Trailblazers.
“They were good girls… it was a good deal, like a two for one,” Pelton said. “Usually you put a lot of effort into recruiting just one player but in this case we got two; it was like a bonus.”
Pelton said from his position as head coach he’s recognized Hina’s efforts in her single matches and mentioned that the twins’ double team has helped the tennis team pick up extra points overall in this past conference.
With a number of players lined up for next years roster Pelton and the team are preparing to enter into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the 2018-19 season.
“The PacWest… was a strong conference,” Pelton said. “But unless we were the top teams, one or two in the nation the reality of winning that conference was not there. Our goal from this year in the PacWest and transitioning into the RMAC will go from being competitive to potentially of winning the [RMAC] conference.”
The tennis team finished its season with 9-10 in the PacWest Conference, moving onto next season, 2018-19 the Trailblazers will compete in the RMAC along with the rest of DSU athletics.
