Hall of Fame
Theresa Jane (T.J.) Kleynhans was Austin Peay’s first of a long line of recent dominant women’s tennis players. A two-time Ohio Valley Conference “Women’s Tennis Player of the Year” recipient, Kleynhans captured back-to-back league No. 1 singles championships (1985-86). In 1986, she also teamed with Cathy Lamond to claim the No. 1 doubles title. With Kleynhans leading the way, the 1986 Lady Govs dominated the conference tourney – recording APSU’s first-ever OVC women’s championship of any kind. As a result, Kleynhans was a near unanimous choice as the 1986 Joy Award recipient as the University’s most valuable senior athlete. In doing so, she became only the third female to capture the award. During her four-year career, she posted a 65-17 overall singles record, almost all of it at the No. 1 spot. She was 25-5 at No. 1 singles as a senior and combined with Lamond for a 24-1 doubles mark. During her APSU stay, the versatile Kleynhans also ran cross country and track, and while completing her undergraduate work (Bachelor of Science in English) in 1987, she played golf. Kleynhans grew up in South Africa but later lived in Tralee, Ireland, before coming to APSU to play tennis. She now resides in Isle of Wight in England.
