FRESNO, Calif. – Kylie Gail Holsworth’s journey in sports has led her down a path previously untouched in California’s Central Valley. This year, the Fresno State freshman will make history and compete as the university’s first collegiate adaptive sports athlete – a milestone made possible by her years with the Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program.
“If it wasn’t for Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program, I don’t know where I would be sports-wise,” Holsworth said.
She’s been an adaptive sports athlete with Valley Children’s since she was 6 years old, participating in everything from water skiing to hockey to basketball.
Now, her focus is on wheelchair tennis, a sport she first picked up through the program at Valley Children’s.
“My first time holding the racket was with Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports on this court right here,” she said during practice on the courts at Fresno State. The sport itself is inclusive, Holsworth said, and that’s part of what drew her in.
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“What I really liked about wheelchair tennis is that you don’t have to play with just another person in a wheelchair. It’s very universal,” she said.
Her passion for the sport took root during her senior year at Hoover High School. When she started applying to colleges, she found that opportunities for adaptive athletes are rare at the collegiate level.
In fact, she said she found only two universities in California with adaptive sports programs.
Coach Denise Dy, who serves as the head coach for Fresno State women’s tennis, said she saw Holsworth’s potential immediately.
“Kylie is one of those, overall, just amazing athletes,” Dy said. “When I first met her in our first open clinic session for tennis, she was a natural. She did amazing.”
Holsworth’s presence helped launch the Fresno State Wheelchair Tennis Sports Club. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), which governs college tennis nationwide, recently adopted wheelchair tennis under its umbrella.
Dr. Jill Friebele, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and director of the Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program, said Holsworth’s arrival marks the accomplishment of an objective years in the making.
“My goal was to produce a collegiate athlete here at Fresno State that would kickstart and eventually bring on a whole phenomenon here in the Central Valley,” Dr. Friebele said.
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She hopes Holsworth’s presence will inspire others.
“Just by Fresno State having Kylie as their first athlete, hopefully that will attract others who realize that this is a campus that’s adaptable. It’s a campus that’s welcoming,” Dr. Friebele said.
Holsworth is already serving as a mentor to younger athletes in the Valley Children’s program, working with them to improve their skills and show them what’s possible.
“I think it’s more really about bringing opportunity for the kids, you know, because I was one of those kids,” Holsworth said.
She’s also thinking ahead.
“I’m looking for ten years from now – when the program is really developed. What is it going to look like?”
Holsworth’s first collegiate competition will take place on December 5, 2025 in San Diego at the 25th Annual Hendrickson Classic.
To learn more about the adaptive sports program at Valley Children’s, click here.
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