Smith named top Aggie
Utah Statesman: How does it feel to be Athlete of the Week and also the first player on your team to be named Athlete of the Week?
Jill Smith: When I found out about it, I was first of all surprised and I was really excited. I thought it was a way cool honor. It was just really cool. I couldn’t believe I would be the first one on my team, but I’m excited.
US: What kind of player do you hate to play against the most?
JS: Definitely the pusher, which is a player that just basically gets the ball in play. [She] doesn’t have anything, no speed, no pace, nothing to hit off of. You have to generate all your own speed and they just get everything back, so it’s like a marathon match.
US: Academically, how hard has the jump from high school to college been?
JS: It’s been hard, but just because I’m not used to the way things are done in college versus high school. There are no assignments, there’s nothing to keep you on track. It’s all self-motivation. So it’s hard that way, because I kind of get behind and procrastinate and all that good stuff.
US: You’re finally getting the chance to play outside, but what is your preference?
JS: I love playing outdoors. Summer tennis is way fun. It gets a little bit hot sometimes, and it’s hard. You have to have your endurance up. You’ll be out playing a three-set match in 90-degree weather and it just kills you. But, I like indoor a lot, too. It just seems like it’s a lot faster. I don’t really have a preference. I like both of them.
US: After missing a serve, some players will use a different ball, even if they have the original ball in their hand. Why is this?
JS: It’s something you don’t really think about. Maybe it’s that you missed your serve with that ball, so you want a new start. I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about that.
US: Do you have any superstitions or pre-match rituals?
JS: Not really superstitions. I kind of get funny about things, like if I don’t have my new pair of socks and they’re not clean. I always need a fresh pair of new socks, and I always have to have my banana, but I don’t really have superstitions.
US: Do you prefer playing doubles or singles?
JS: Singles for sure. I’ve always been a singles player. I’m more of a backcourt player. I just like to bang the ball from the backcourt. But I like doubles a lot. I just do a lot better in singles. Doubles is really fun, but I probably prefer singles.
US: Who is your favorite tennis player?
JS: Monica Seles. For sure. She’s been my favorite ever since I was little. I think at first because she has two hands on both sides [forehand and backhand] like I do. But she is just so cool. She’s like my idol. She’s so aggressive and is just all about business on the court. She’s so good.
US: Who do you think is the biggest jokester on the team?
JS: The biggest jokester on the team would be Holly [Anderson]. She’s just so funny and she’s always happy, and she keeps the team up and going. She’s a good motivator. But the funniest one would have to be Richelle [Ferguson]. She just says the funniest things, and we all laugh so hard. She’s so funny.
US: Where is your favorite place to eat?
JS: Café Rio. All-time favorite. Chicken salad with the house dressing is the best thing ever.
-slbk5@cc.usu.edu