MISHAWAKA — Amina Spahic is a good tennis player.
The Penn High School senior, though, is truly a great student athlete in every sense of the word.
Spahic, who plays No. 2 doubles for coach Eric Bower’s Kingsmen, is one active young lady.
Spahic is involved in numerous activities and clubs off the court at Penn, including speech and debate, Muslim Student Association and Culture Club. She is also one of the valedictorians for the Class of 2026.
“I’ve just been able to meet so many more people by being involved,” said Spahic, who will attend Notre Dame next year. “They have all influenced me and affected me for the better. They put a smile on my face.
“It’s about taking advantage of the opportunities that are here. That means everything to me and my family.”
Spahic and doubles partner Mary Kirleis had their biggest win of the season April 30. The pair of senior co-captains rallied for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 win in a three-hour match to give their team the clinching point in a huge 3-2 win over Northern Indiana Conference rival and No. 10 ranked South Bend Saint Joseph’s. The Kingsmen duo fought off match point in the second set and won 10 straight games in the epic rally. The thrilling victory was the first for Penn over St. Joe since the 2019 season, when the Kingsmen won a pair of 3-2 matches, one in the regular season and one in the regional.
“I see Amina quite a bit off the court too since she is in my Culture Club and MSA (Muslim Student Assciation),” said longtime Penn coach Eric Bowers. ”I’m just blessed to have her off the court too. She’s a true scholar athlete and that means a lot to me. I stress life outside of tennis.”
Spahic and Kirleis, the only seniors in Penn’s varsity lineup, are 7-0 together in dual matches this season. Penn went to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the NIC with the dramatic win over the Huskies. Spahic teamed with Jaanavi Kaushik at No. 1 doubles as a junior when the No. 15 Kingsmen went 19-6 and lost 3-2 to No. 11 Munster in a quarterfinal match of the IHSAA State Finals. Spahic and Kaushik won 6-0, 6-1 at state to finish 17-6 in 2025.
“Having a new partner this season has been a little more challenging,” said Spahic at a Penn practice prior to the St. Joe match. “But practice has helped us know what each of us does best so we can play to our strengths.
“I do like playing doubles because you have a partner out there to support you. I like that this team has a strong connection. I think that shows on the court that we are a team.”
“I do like the individuality of tennis. I think what I like about the sport too is the angles, the form and the technique. I know, it’s nerdy.”
Kirleis was elated after she and Spahic claimed the final point in the epic win over St. Joe on the Penn tennis courts.
“”I’m ecstatic,” emphasized Kirleis April 30. “I’m so proud of my team and so proud of myself and Amina. It was all about attitude. Me and Amina pride ourselves on positivity and attitude. We always say go out there and play with a smile. We are in sync out there. We just looked at each other in the match when we were down and said we have nothing to lose.”
Spahic, who played mainly on the junior varsity as a freshman and a sophomore, is also very proud of her heritage. Her parents Muharem and Enisa were born in Bosnia.
“I’m very proud of my culture, very proud of Bosnia,” stated Spahic, who has two older sisters.
Bowers, who played tennis at both NorthWood High School and Bethel College, visited Bosnia last summer as a part of a 42-day, 17-country trip for six select teachers from across the country.
Spahic is also active and talented in many areas off the court other than clubs and the classroom. She plays piano, paints, likes to run and loves to play pickleball and loves Legos.
“My mom hates that I have Legos all around our house,” related Spahic with a laugh.
Bowers credits Spahic for her ability to make it tough on opponents.
“Amina is tough to play,” remarked Bowers, who teaches AP History at Penn and coached both the girls and boys teams to the state finals in 2025. “She’s not flashy, but she is skilled and is one of those players who finds a way to get the ball back one more time.
“Her big talent is mentally. She’s also very vocal and competitive. She’s also a sponge when it comes to what we tell her.”
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn’s Spahic a true student-athlete on and off the tennis court
Reporting by Scott Davidson, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
