This week, the Clarion talked to women’s tennis player Maureen Slattery.

Q: How old are you and what year are you?

A: I am 20 and I am a junior.

Q: What is your major?

A: Economics.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Newport News, Virginia.

Q: How did you get started playing tennis?

A: My parents played for fun on the weekends when I was little and my mom started to coach me a bit. Then it progressed from there.

Q: How did you come to DU?
A: I met the coaches at a national tournament. I thought I clicked well with them and I thought they were really nice. I took a visit here and once I saw the campus and the city, I knew this was where I wanted to play.

Q: You were just named the Player of the Week by the Summit League. What does that mean to you?

A: It’s definitely an honor and it doesn’t happen all the time. I think it’s a good reward and a reminder that I need to keep working hard for the team. Individual performances can really boost the team, which is the most important thing.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

A: Three weeks ago, we beat the highest ranked team that we have ever beaten since I have been here. Kansas was ranked No. 23 in the country and we beat them. It was a culmination of the hard work our team has put in. We really gelled well. It might have even been the best moment of my life, too.

Q: What are your individual goals as the season wraps up and the post-season approaches?

A: My individual goals are to go undefeated in conference play and really work on my game to help us win some rounds in the national tournament, if we get there. Basically, I don’t want to lose any more matches. I think I have been playing well. I have a lot of confidence right now and I’ve been practicing extra hard. I have everything I need to meet these goals.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?

A: I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I want to pursue a Ph.D. in economics and hopefully teach at a university somewhere. I will definitely be playing tennis for the rest of my life whether it is some competitive tournaments or just league play. I will be playing forever.

Q: What is something you enjoy doing apart from tennis?

A: I really, really like music and I used to sing a lot. That is something that has been a secondary passion of mine.