Athlete Spotlight: Shayna Klitzke

DICKINSON – When Dickinson senior Shayna Klitzke steps onto the tennis court, she knows she’s going to get the best of her opponent across the net.
That goes with the territory of being a WDA champion. Last season, she made history by becoming the first Dickinson player to win a conference singles title. A week later she was in the state championship match. And while she came up a bit short in that match, she’s cemented her place among the best to play for the Mavericks program.
“I think what I remember most about my junior year is the time that I spent with my team,’’ she said. “They are a large part of why I enjoy tennis as much as I do. They helped me be confident in my game. And I was able to dream more about the possibilities of being really successful that year.”
Her six-year run with Dickinson’s program has been impressive. In addition to the conference singles title and a runner-up finish at state in 2025. Shayna and older teammate Valeria Bradley twice placed third at state in doubles in 2023 and 2024. And she was a singles state qualifier as an eighth grader in 2022.
While many standouts pick up a racquet at an early age, that wasn’t the path for Shayna, who attends Hope Christian Academy in Dickinson.
She participated in other sports before gravitating to tennis by middle school.
“I liked tennis because it was very different from the sports I had played prior,’’ Klitzke said. “I also had many friends in it so it was fun to play with them. I liked how it was both an individual sport and team sport. I think the self-reliance aspect makes it harder, but it also emphasizes the importance of a good work ethic. I do enjoy the team aspect of tennis, though.”
Prior to her first season in the high school program, she began hitting in November. She was ranked No. 8 on her team when she began in seventh grade. She moved up one spot by the end of the season.
Then, the big jump came.
“My coaches and parents pushed to me play in tournaments and encouraged to play more to improve my game,’’ Klitzke said. “My dad was an incredibly large part in that. He would go out and hit with me almost every day that we were able,’’ she recalls. “My dad played a little tennis in college just for fun. Not intermediate, or on a team, just for entertainment.”
The evening hit-around sessions with him, taking part in the Dickinson Tennis Club and the invaluable experience of junior tournaments all paid off.
When her second high school season began, she was the No. 3 ranked player for Dickinson. As an eighth grader, she was often facing players older and with more experience. “As a young member of the team, I did not have much confidence and the mental aspect of the game was certainly not as strong,’’ Klitzke said. “I also understand more fully now that no matter if I win or lose a match, my worth is not found in that outcome.”
Her skill set on the tennis court is diverse, says Dickinson coach Lia Bradley.
“I would say the biggest strengths on court is her consistency, athletic ability and being able to get to most balls,’’Bradley said. “She also possess a great serve.”
Shayna has developed into a complete player who can go toe-to-toe with anyone in a baseline battle or come to the net when the opportunity comes to finish a point. 
Her on-court demeanor is quiet and reserved. 
“I would say my mindset or personality on the court is different than off,’’ Shayna said. “I think that it is more about the situation and know that I should be my best in all I do. I also know that sometimes I can come off as a little too determined. I have been trying to be more loose and enjoy the moments more.”
Her goals this season are to enjoy every moment and do her best to defend that WDA title. 
The all-stater will head to the University of Jamestown and play for the Jimmies program following high school. The level of competition will be a step up to high school. Bradley said the keys for her will be to continue her consistency and point-finishing shots.
Another challenge, but one that Klitzke is ready to tackle.