Throughout the year, GoIslanders.com's Christina Boothe will feature student-athletes from each of our 15 sports. Every Monday, we will bring you a Q&A session with a student-athlete, while Wednesday we will feature an in-depth story of a student-athlete. Be sure to keep tabs on GoIslanders.com as well as our Facebook (Islanders Athletics) and Twitter/Instagram (Go_Islanders) pages throughout the year for more information.
There is an iconic picture that circulates around the Island University of a women's tennis player celebrating a massive victory at the Southland Conference Championships. It embodies the Islanders spirit and captures the essence of athleticism—working hard and succeeding when it really counts after a season of sweat and dedication. That student-athlete is junior Islanders women's tennis player Celia Rodriguez, and she sat down to talk about her tennis career with GoIslanders, including the context around her infamous picture.
GoIslanders (GI): You have really made a name for yourself as a junior in the Southland Conference and on the island. How does it feel to be one of the top players in the conference?
Celia Rodriguez (CR): When I came to the island, I was really nervous. As I began winning every game, I was gaining confidence. Each year, each summer, helped me prepare for the season and become even better than the year before. I'm motivated. I don't want to lose because I know I've already won a lot of matches. It feels good, but it's tough because I have to work a lot.
GI: You are far away from home. How was that transition?
CR: It was okay. I wasn't really sure about coming here to the United States. But, when I came, I realized that it was one of the best choices I made in my life because I can do what I like and study, too. In Spain, I can't play tennis and study at the same time, but I can here. I miss my family, but here I'm so busy with tennis and studying that I don't have much time to miss them. Plus, we Skype, so that helps.
GI: This is your junior season, so you have one more year to go. What things do you want to accomplish during your time left here?
CR: We won the conference last year, and we want to do it again. Then, we'd like to do better than we did at the NCAA Championships last year. We didn't pass any rounds last year, so we're getting ready for that and practicing a lot. Coach Moore always tells us, "You have to be focusing on one match at a time and not thinking about NCAAs or the conference championships."
GI: Your team won the conference and then lost in the first round of the NCAA Championships. Having experienced that, what are your goals as an individual and as a team?
CR: Last year, we had bad luck. When you play indoors, it's a totally different dynamic. We're used to the wind and the sun. The tournament was in May, and it was really hot outside. It would have been great for us to play outside, but we had bad luck. I think if we play outside and if we get a little bit more ready for the tournament, becoming mentally tougher, we will do better. As a team, we need to be ready for that. As a singles player, I try to do my best for every match, and the results will come.
GI: Coach Moore has strict dietary plans for his student-athletes, as well as curfews. How has that contributed to your success as a player?
CR: Sometimes, when you go out, you spend the next three days tired. You really don't give all your best during that time. The curfew really helps a lot. You get the eight to nine hours of sleep that you need. It's the same with the food. Coach Moore shows us what to buy, from oatmeal to eggs and protein, and it really helps. When we go to the gym after practice, we're not tired. If we don't do those things, curfew and eating well, we really notice it. We've been doing this for two years, and the results are really good. We can see it in the matches. Coach Moore says the same thing all the time, but it really helps and you learn to appreciate it.
GI: What is the most memorable match you have ever played?
CR: When we were in the conference tournament finals, I was playing a singles match that, if I won one more point we would win the tournament. I won the first set and then I was in a tiebreak in the second set and it was really tough. So when I won, I couldn't believe it. There's a picture of me celebrating the match, and it's everywhere on campus. All my teammates were screaming and celebrating. I will never forget that match.
