KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 6, 2011) – Senior Chelsea White (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove) of the Kutztown University women's tennis team will go into her final season as one of the Golden Bear's elite players.

White plans to keep her voice loud and motivating this weekend when they host their match against Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Friday, Oct. 7 at 3:00 p.m. and Clarion University on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the KU Tennis Courts.

With a recent win against Georgian Court, White won her first double of the season alongside Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area), 8-0. The two have become a strong pair throughout their matches together.

Kristen  Cornelis: How do you feel going into your senior year?
Chelsea White (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove): Its sad, it really is. I tell the girls all the time, just enjoy every year because it'll go by really fast.

K.C.: What game do you look back on knowing you did your absolute best?
C.W.: Last year was my best year, matches wise. I played my best last year against Millersville. I won the first set of singles and lost the second. I was the last one on the court when it went into a tiebreaker. It lasted forever, but it felt really good to win that match. With the support from my teammates, I never gave up.

K.C.: How would you describe your relationship with your teammates?
C.W.: They're basically my family. I hope to never lose touch with any of them after graduation. It's the greatest thing, the diversity on our team. I got to know people from different backgrounds and learn about their different cultures.

K.C.: What do you want to do after you graduate?
C.W.: After I graduate I'd love to stay in the Kutztown area. I love home but I can't see myself leaving, I just love everyone here.

K.C.: Where would you want to work in Kutztown?
C.W.: I'd love to help Coach out and possibly get a job around here. I know Coach does it on his own and it'd be great to become his assistant coach and continue to be a part of the team.

K.C.: Is there anything else you would you like to do?
C.W.: If at all possible, I'd like to go to graduate school. If I could, I would student teach, become an assistant coach and go to graduate school at night. A lot of the people I share pre-seminar with get really stressed out with what they need to do. They also don't have jobs or sports to do. I'm able to get it all done and play tennis too. But tennis relieves my stress along with seeing the girls too.

K.C.: As one of the more experienced players, what advice do you have?
C.W.: I know most of the team is made up of two seniors; one junior and the rest are sophomores. We have a fairly new team and I remind them to always work hard and not to get overwhelmed with schoolwork and tennis because if I can do it, you can do it.

K.C.: How did it feel to win MVP last season?
C.W.: I was so surprised at the athletic banquet when I won MVP for our team. I had no idea I was going to win it.


K.C.: What do you want to focus on for your final season?
C.W.: I just want to have fun this season and get as many wins as we can work as a team.