Hawkins named top Aggie
Utah Statesman: As a freshman did you expect to be playing as much as you have been?
Haley Hawkins: [Head Coach] Chris [Wright] told us at the beginning of the first semester we would play challenge matches against each other and depending on how we did on those, who would be playing. I just took those challenge matches really seriously and fought for a spot because I wanted to play.
US: What has been the most difficult transition for you from high school to college?
HH: Family. That’s probably been the hardest thing for me because I’ve been really homesick. I love being in college, but I just wish my family could be up here too.
US: Being from Ogden, were you recruited by Weber State University. What brought you to Utah State?
HH: I was actually recruited by Weber State, but I just did not want to go there. Two or three years ago I met Chris [Wright] and I just thought he was a great coach. Also, [Aggie] Sarah Lowe, we went to high school together, she just told me how much of a great place this was and how good the program was and how much fun the team was. That just made me want to come.
US: Assistant coach Jevin West said the team is very close. What types of things does the team do together?
HH: We laugh a lot. That’s what we do all the time it seems like. We do little tennis dinners or socials. I just think everyone is really concerned about each other and happy and upbeat. I don’t know why it’s so much fun but it is.
US: Because players keep score for themselves is it difficult to keep track and is it common to have questions or disputes over the score?
HH: I think it’s easy to keep track because you just call it out after each point. Sometimes when you’re in a big game, you’ll forget it’s 40-30 or 30-love, I’ve had that happen a few times. Overall, I think if you just call it out and make sure they call it out you don’t have too many problems.
US: Do you have any traditions following a match?
HH: I like to analyze my match and see what I need to improve on or what I did good or something I’ve been working on that maybe I did better. I always like to ask both coaches what they think I should work on and I always ask my mom, so I guess that is kind of a little ritual.
US: Do you attend other Utah State athletic events? If so, which ones and why?
HH: Yeah. I’ve gone to some of the basketball games and the football games. I watch the gymnastics on TV. I think sometimes we’re gone when they have stuff, but we do the valet parking for the basketball.
US: Which male professional tennis player do you think is the best looking?
HH: He’s not the hottest tennis player, but my favorite tennis player is Jimmy Connors because he’s just really fun to watch. He doesn’t play anymore, but while he was there it was fun.
US: What is your favorite melon and why?
HH: I like cantaloupe. Growing up I’d always go stay with my grandma and she would always fix me cantaloupe and she’d make me eat salt on it to bring out the taste.
US: Do you plan on watching the NCAA basketball tournament?
HH: I’m sure I’ll watch some of it. I guess I don’t really watch it on TV. I’d rather go to an event. I think it’s pretty exciting when it gets down to the Final Four.