Tennis On Campus

The USTA National Campus Championship is the pinnacle event for college club tennis teams from around the country. Sixty-four colleges qualify for the championship through their respective USTA Campus Championship - Section Events and compete for bragging rights and the illustrious title of National Champion. The 2011 event is taking place April 7-9 at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, N.C., where Florida State’s team, originally founded in 2008, will be making its debut. FSU Club President Agustina Colombo recently spoke with USTA.com about her team’s preparations for the Championship, their rivalry with the University of Florida, why she would want John Isner on her team if she could add a pro player to her roster and much more.

USTA.com: What is your team doing to prepare for the upcoming National Campus Championship?

FSU Club President Agustina Colombo: Our club is currently working on fundraisers, such as sending letters to family and friends to see if they would like to donate and support our club team. We are also trying to organize fundraisers at restaurants, where they usually donate 15 percent of earnings to the club during certain business hours. For practices, we are having practice three times a week and practice matches on the weekends.

USTA.com: What is your team looking forward to most about attending the National Campus Championship?

Agustina Colombo: Our team is really excited to meet and play against other athletes from other universities. Since most of our tournaments are in Florida, we tend to play the same players. We are also really excited to represent Florida State University in the best way we can, with great sportsmanship and determination.

                                       
USTA.com: What are your team goals at this year’s National Campus Championship? Any predictions on your placement or outcome?

Agustina Colombo: Our goal this year is to compete at a high level and challenge ourselves against other universities. It would be great if we won, but we are really looking forward to the experience of playing against other schools. We recognize that Florida is comprised of many outstanding tennis players, so it will be a boost of confidence as we approach other matches. I feel we have prepared well and should make a run deep into the tournament.

USTA.com: What are some of the things you attribute to the success of your team?

Agustina Colombo: The success of our club has been teamwork. We all support each other as much as we can, and though it may be cheesy, we are a little family and encourage and teach each other as best we can. As president of the FSU Tennis Club, I can say that I must attribute our success to not only the players but the officers and team captains who help me keep this club running smoothly and efficiently.   

USTA.com: What advice do you have for fellow club tennis teams that are striving to qualify for the National Campus Championship?

Agustina Colombo: A couple years ago, our club’s membership was less than half of our membership today of 68. We had a vision how we wanted our tennis club to change, and now two years later, our club has matured into a family of talented players with a great attitude. In other words, shoot for the stars. Any team has the chance to make it to Nationals. It just takes hard work and dedication.

USTA.com: Does your team have any unusual or unique pre-match rituals? Any team superstitions?

Agustina Colombo: No, nothing too unusual… just the typical pre-match encouragement from everyone.

USTA.com: Describe your typical practice schedule or week with your team before a big tournament?

Agustina Colombo: Before our tournament, our team practices three times during the week as a team, by playing doubles and singles matches as well as doing volley drills. Each player also sometimes sets up times with others to get more practice in.

                                               
USTA.com: Are there any teams you are hoping to meet at the National Campus Championship? Any big team rivalries?

Agustina Colombo: If anyone is familiar with the universities in Florida, there is definitely a huge rivalry against the University of Florida. We have gotten the chance to play them in our Florida League, and they are great athletes, but the tradition is engrained in us, and the truth is there is a respected but bitter rivalry.       

USTA.com: What has been your team’s favorite Tennis On Campus moment this year?

Agustina Colombo: This Tennis On Campus season kicked off with us hosting the first tournament. We put together a great team and made it to the finals. Naturally, we faced UF and lost in a nail-biter when it came down to the last match. I feel that set the stage for the year and gave us the boost of confidence we needed early in the season.

USTA.com: If you could add one professional player to your team’s roster, who would it be and why?

Agustina Colombo: John Isner. His attitude during matches reflects a majority of our players’. Although we are not the best, we put our best effort into everything we do. We strive to be the best and know with hard work we can achieve that goal.

USTA.com: Has your team participated in any community involvement activities?

Agustina Colombo: Our team has been involved in volunteering for the American Lung Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Light the Night" fundraiser. Several of our players also coach at a local middle school and have had great success with their kids.

                                                 
USTA.com: If your team won the National Campus Championship title, how would you celebrate? Would you take the trophy anywhere interesting?

Agustina Colombo: We would enjoy the moment to the fullest and celebrate with everyone in NC as well as all our players back home who have contributed throughout the year. Most importantly, we would share the trophy with everyone because, at the end of the day, we are a proud "team." We would definitely take the trophy to our school’s unconquered statue, which is greatly respected here at Florida State.