Kutztown, Pa (April 20, 2012) – The Kutztown University women's tennis team takes on California (Pa.) in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Semifinals on Friday, April 20. 
 
Note:  The Kutztown University women's tennis team schedule has been changed due to poor weather conditions soon to come in the Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania area for this weekend. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has announced the cancellation of the PSAC Individual Singles and Doubles Championships this weekend in Bloomsburg.  All indications are that heavy rain is forecasted for Saturday and Sunday.
 
Junior Ridhima Borooah (Guwahati-Assam, India/Modern School; Barakhamba Road; New Delhi) (Guwahati, India/Modern School) is currently undefeated with a 10-1 overall record, including a perfect 5-0 conference mark. In the PSAC First Round against Millersville, Borooah notched her seventh straight victory with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win at second singles.
 
Leading up to the championships, Kutztown University sports information student assistant Kristen Cornelis interviewed Borooah in a brief question and answer session.
 
Kristen Cornelis: How do you prepare for a match?
Ridhima Borooah (Guwahati-Assam, India/Modern School; Barakhamba Road; New Delhi): Preparation for a match is two-fold: physical and mental. To make sure I stay physically prepared to play for long hours, I increase my carbohydrate intake two or three days before the match. I also increase my fluid intake to make sure I stay well hydrated. To prepare mentally, I watch YouTube videos of tennis pros and read some inspirational quotes the night before the match. Before going to bed, I try to visualize how I'm going to play. This really pumps me up and helps me perform my best.
 
K.C.: What's been the highlight of the season?
R.B.: This whole season has been great so far but if I had to pick one match, it definitely would have been my win against Emily Palko of Bloomsburg University. It was a very tough match and I was really proud of myself for pulling it off. Although, I have to say, I could not have done it without my teammates (both men and women) cheering me on.
 
K.C.: What's your favorite tennis memory?
R.B.: My favorite tennis memory is winning a three and a half hour match-the longest match I've ever played. This was in New Delhi, India and I had won under difficult weather conditions-110 degree heat and around 80 percent humidity.
 
K.C.: What is your favorite thing to do besides tennis?
R.B.: I like to read novels-both fiction and non-fiction, watch movies, play ping pong, and hang out with friends.
 
K.C.: Do you prefer singles or doubles?
R.B.: Singles
 
K.C.: What match was your most memorable to look back on?
R.B.: (Same as tennis memory) it was special because I was trailing by a set and a break and I had come from behind to win the match.
 
K.C.: Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your life?
R.B.: My father
 
K.C.: How do you feel going into this weekend?
R.B.: I'm really excited to play this weekend. It has been a fantastic season so far and I hope to finish it up on a strong and positive note.
 
K.C.: What PSAC team do you like to play against the most?
R.B.: Every match is important to me. It does not matter who I play, I just play to win.
 
K.C.: Who would you say is your biggest rival team?
R.B.: Bloomsburg
 
K.C.: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
R.B.: No. I just pray before every match. I pray that I play well and make my team proud.
 
K.C.: What was it like to deal with an injury last season?
R.B.: It was pretty tough physically and emotionally. I had not been away from tennis for this long in a decade and I could not wait to get back on court. However, I've come to realize now that my injury was a blessing in disguise. It made me stronger mentally.
 
K.C.: Has your game changed since the injury happened?
R.B.: Yes, it definitely has. My injury bought me quite a lot of time and I used this time constructively to develop the mental aspect of my game. I learned how to be patient. I knew that once I got back to competitive tennis, I would not be able to move as fast on the court as I used to and it would take me time to get to my optimum fitness level so I learned how to play smart. As a result, I've become a better player.
 
K.C.: What do you want to get out of your experience here at Kutztown University?
R.B.: I want to graduate from Kutztown as a better tennis player, a better student and most importantly, a better person.