KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 8, 2011) – Kutztown sophomore tennis player Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area) has successfully balanced the demands of a being a student-athlete. This season, she is playing at No. 1 doubles and has embraced the challenge. The Golden Bears travel to West Chester Saturday morning. Grula took five minutes out of her busy schedule to speak with the Sports Information Office.
Kristen Cornelis: What has been your favorite moment as a Kutztown student-athlete?
Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area): I'm proud of myself as a student-athlete for maintaining a good GPA while being busy with tennis.
K.C.: When did you start playing tennis?
R.G: I started playing when I was in 11th grade. I was never encouraged to start or taught how to play, it kind of just happened. This is my fourth year in the sport and I'm glad things turned out the way they did.
K.C.: If you could play doubles with anyone person, who would it be and why?
R.G.: I really enjoy playing with my current partner, Chelsea White (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove). We always have a lot of fun, but we play to win. If I had to choose someone else, I would pick my sister Vanessa. We know how one other plays and she's really easy to be on a team with. I like being able to criticize her knowing that she won't get mad and if she does, my sister won't hold anything against me and vice versa.
K.C.: What do you like best about Kutztown?
R.G.: My friends.
K.C.: What do you like to do in your spare time?
R.G.: I like to read, be outside, play sports, and have fun doing a wide variety of things. I like hanging out with the team outside of practice as well.
K.C.: What made you choose Elementary Education as a major?
R.G.: I've always wanted to be a teacher and I don't really know what else I would do. Hopefully it's the right career choice for me.
K.C.: What are your career aspirations?
R.G.: I'd like to help kids reach their full potential and lead them on the right paths of life. I want to teach them how to be comfortable with themselves and be accepting of the different people around them.
K.C.: What's on your iPod right now?
R.G.: Queen, Steve Miller Band, Beyoncé, Cobra Starship, Kid Cudi, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson, Usher and so many more.
K.C.: What pumps you up right before a game?
R.G.: Music and a good pep talk from my teammates, especially Ridhima Borooah (Guwahati-Assam, India/Modern School; Barakhamba Road; New Delhi).
K.C.: Who do you look up to/inspires you? Why?
R.G.: My parents and my grandparents inspire me. They do so much and never ask for anything in return and are extremely talented in a variety of different things. I look up to people who make an effort to achieve good things in the world and who put others first.
K.C.: What is your favorite tennis match memory?
R.G.: I played a good match against Elizabethtown when we were on Spring Break this year. I was able to come back from losing the first set and won close second and third set tiebreakers by staying calm. Chelsea and I also played well against Philadelphia University this past fall. We were down and came back to hold our own for this win.
K.C.: What is the best advice you have ever received?
R.G.: Do what you love to do; if you can't be with the ones you love, love the ones you're with.
Favorites
Place on campus: The secret bathroom in the SUB
Movie: Disney movies, Elf
Place to eat: Granddad's house, Grammy and Grandpa's house
Song: “Somebody to Love” by Queen
TV Shows: “Criminal Minds”, “Pretty Little Liars”, “Dragon Ball Z”
Last Words: “I really enjoy spending time with my teammates. Everyone has their own unique personality but somehow they all blend together and we get along really well. Everyone is hilarious in their special way and brings something different to the team. I'm having a great time this season.”
