Sister Act: Stuhlman sisters provide motivation

Mark Hopkins, staff writer

The question doesnít even make Ashley Stuhlman flinch.

ìI would say Iím better for sure, and I guarantee you she says she is,î she said. 

Amber Stuhlman completely agreed with her twin sister, at least on the latter part.

ìItís really close and it comes down to like the third set,î she said. ìIn high school she beat me a bit more, but now maybe me.î

Itís hard enough competing with another player for a starting spot on any NCAA Division I team, but especially when you grew up doing everything with them. Ashley and Amber are twin sisters on the Utah State womenís tennis team and have helped the Aggies to a 6-1 start this year.

ìI think sometimes itís actually a tough dynamic, because theyíve been competitive their entire life together,î said USU head coach Sean McInerney. ìItís just hard to continue that.î

Although going head to head with a sibling can be difficult, there are definitely advantages.

ìWe just know what each other is going through,î Ashley said. ìItís not like youíre here by yourself. Itís someone you can go home to and talk to, and sheíll know exactly what youíre talking about and you donít have to explain anything.î

McInerney agreed it has been helpful for the twins.

ìItís a double-edge sword,î he said. ìYou do have somebody here, in good times and in bad times, thatís been with you your whole life, that you relate to, and you can help each other out. Itís helpful, especially in up-and-down college life.î

The Stuhlman sisters grew up in Palm Desert, Calif., one of the biggest tennis-playing communities in the world. However, Amber initially played basketball and Ashley did gymnastics, and the two didnít start playing tennis competitively until they entered high school. Playing together in college was a big draw to continuing.

ìWe were probably 15 or 16 when we were like, ÃWe probably should,íî Amber said. ìWe got better really fast after starting late.î

Amber credited their fast improvement to how they were able to push each other.

ìItís nice because we always have someone to hit with,î Amber said. ìItís so hard to find a hitting partner if only you and your family play. She was always there, same schedule, we hit together every day; it was perfect. We got better because of that.î

As the two looked for colleges, there was one requirement that remained constant: They had to stick together.

ìIf there was only one scholarship that would be open, we wouldnít even look at it,î Amber said. ìIt had to be two Ö We got asked that quite a bit, but it was always together.î

USU assistant coach and former player Jaci West is also from Palm Desert and helped set up the campus connection for the twins.

ìWe loved the campus. We met all the girls on the team and we loved all the girls,î Ashley said.

Both sisters thought alike and fell in love with the atmosphere quickly.

ìWe love the campus and the team here, so it was set from the very beginning,î Amber said.

Although alike in many ways, the sisters differ in their personalities, which seems to also transfer to the court, McInerney said.

ìTheyíre very different,î he said. ìVery different competitors, different people, which is pretty cool Ö You couldnít really get more opposite personality wise, considering theyíre twins, but theyíre both very coachable and likeable and the team absolutely loves them, and so itís an important part of our team dynamic.î

McInerney described Amber as more aggressive, while Ashley is quieter but more consistent.

ìThey both bring to the table different skill sets,î he said. ìAmber, when we need a little bit more energy, a little fire, thatís when we get Amber in there. Sheís a little bit less consistent than her sister with ball striking. Ashley is a little bit calmer, a little bit more controlled, so if I feel like we need somebody with that personality set, then we go with her.î

Their differences in personalities help them excel in different areas for the team, Amber said.

ìI feel like I play a little bit more aggressive. Ashley is probably a little bit more consistent,î she said. ìI feel like she likes singles more and I like doubles more, so it kind of suits our styles.î

Although the two have teamed up for doubles many times over the years, Ashley said they donít do it as much anymore for obvious sibling reasons.

ìWhen we were growing up we would play every tournament together, but in college we havenít been playing together as much because we tend to fight with each other,î she said. ìWeíve beaten some pretty good teams when we did play well together, so it just depends.î

Knowing each other for so long also leads to some interesting dynamics when they play each other on the court, Ashley said.

ìWe know each otherís styles. We know where weíre going,î she said. ìIf she misses a shot that I know she can easily hit, itís like ÃWow, what are you doing? You can hit that.í But if I play with someone else, then I probably wouldnít be as mean to them.î

McInerney summed up his two player-siblings well.

ìTheyíre very different,î he said. ìTheyíre very similar nonetheless.î