TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

This weekend, you narrowly missed winning your flight at the Bowling Green Invitational. How much of a confidence boost was it to finish 2-1 at the tournament?
It was a big boost. It gave me so much more confidence and it showed that all the hard work from last year and over the summer paid off. It showed me and the rest of the team that we are very close to the good teams like Bowling Green and Xavier, which are good in their conferences. It feels really good knowing we can hold up with them and play in the same league.

With a year under your belt in the college game, are you more relaxed and prepared for matches than a year ago?
I’m definitely more relaxed. I mean I’m still nervous before a game, but I know how everything works—our routine, how everything is set up. I know how it feels to be on the court, just how it feels to be on a team and play for a college.

Coming from Austria to college in America, what have been some of the biggest differences that you’ve had to adjust to?
Just being so far from home and being independent. It’s hard because of all the small things you have to think about that usually your mom or your family thinks about. It’s difficult, at the beginning, to make friends. It takes a while to get used to the people and to the language.

When the Williams sisters started winning championships in the late ‘90s, it changed the way the women’s tennis game was played. How do you think players, like Maria Sharapova, have been able to catch up?
The Williams sisters definitely changed the women’s tennis game. I think players like Maria Sharapova did a really good job catching up. They even improved the Williams sisters' game. They hit as hard as the Williams do and they also have the technical skills. They hit powerful and play smart, too.

Who is your favorite tennis player to watch?
It’s hard to say. I like Maria Sharapova, how she pushes herself on the court, fights for the ball. She never gives up.

You also were a star volleyball and badminton player in Austria. What made you choose tennis when it came time to pick a sport for college?
I’ve always played tennis. I made it to the volleyball and badminton teams because of tennis. I was used to the sport. I knew how the ball flies. But I started playing tennis first and then I just played volleyball and badminton. Tennis brought me to the other sports.

You listed Kevin Pitra, the former UB men’s soccer player who passed away earlier this year, as one of the most impressive people you’ve ever met. What made him leave such an impression on you?
I just met him for a couple minutes last year. He was just so impressive. He never gave up. He finished his master’s degree (in Education while he was being treated for cancer). It’s hard to explain, but he showed me that whatever happens in life, you have to make the best out of it.

What is your favorite part of living in Buffalo?
I like living with my friends here and being surrounded by my friends all the time. There’s always somebody there for me. There’s always somebody there to spend time with.

With a season that extends almost throughout the school year, how have you been able to juggle academics with athletics and become a UB Scholar-Athlete?
It’s hard work. It’s very time-consuming and I wish I would have more time to spend with friends. You just have to do what you have to do. It’s like one thing connects to the other. If I’m having trouble in school, then I know I have to study, then it’s always in my mind, even when I play. So if I know everything is set in school, I can play tennis better and concentrate more.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB athlete?
My favorite moment was definitely (UB’s) win against Akron last year. It was our first MAC win and I was playing the last match on the court. My match was the one that decided the match and I won (beating Courtney Brenkus, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, at third singles). That was very impressive. We were all almost crying and it was a good feeling.

“The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Joe Guistina.