EVANSTON, Ill. - Each week, NUSports.com will bring you an interview with a member of the Northwestern women's tennis team to allow fans a chance to get to know the individuals who make up the 16-time defending Big Ten champion Northwestern Wildcats.
This week's subject is Erin Larner. The freshman is a native of Portland, Ore. where she was the number one ranked high school player in the state. Larner never lost a match while competing for Jesuit High and won four state championships.
She was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 27 after a strong outing during ITA Kick-Off Weekend. Larner knocked off her first ranked opponent in straight sets during the match against Arizona State. She gave up only four points all weekend.
Larner has posted a 3-2 dual record so far in her first collegiate season. She began the year in the fourth singles spot and has since climbed to second. She won her first Big Ten match with a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Penn State's Katia Blik on Feb. 14.
"Erin is a coach's dream," Northwestern head coach Claire Pollard said. "She is dedicated, very coachable and demands the very best from herself. She has a solid court game, transitions well and is developing a forehand into a huge weapon."
She has already stepped into the No. 2 spot on the team, and we are looking forward to her playing a huge role for the `Cats in her four-year career."
Q: Describe your recruiting process and how you ended up playing at Northwestern.
A: I first visited Northwestern in the winter of my junior year and immediately fell in love with the campus. I thought very highly of Claire and the program. I committed the summer before my senior year and was ecstatic about coming to Northwestern. I could hardly wait a full year until I could actually come to campus.
Q: What advice do you have for kids wanting to play collegiate tennis?
A: Work to your maximum potential every day. If you push yourself every day or every time you are out on the court you are getting better. But in the end, enjoy it no matter what the outcome.
Q: Describe your pregame ritual.
A: My pre-match ritual is pretty simple. My main thing is that I have to listen to some upbeat music that will make me happy and put me in a good place before I go out on the court.
Q: What is the best concert you have ever attended?
A: The best concert was Macklemore before he was really popular. He is from Seattle so he had a lot of shows in the Pacific Northwest before he became really famous. He is truly a phenomenal performer. Being in the crowd, you can really see that he is enjoying himself, and his songs have a powerful significance in his life.
Q: What is your favorite place to visit?
A: Palm Springs, Calif. is by far my favorite place. It is kind of like a second home to me. I used to visit there a lot because my mom's side of the family lives there. I also really enjoyed Thailand and want to go back there someday. The people are super friendly, and the food is incredible.
Q: What are your favorite activities?
A: Hanging out with friends, listening to music and going on hikes in the Pacific Northwestern because the views are breathtaking, and it is a blast to make a day out of it with close friends.
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: I definitely play favorites to the teams from Oregon. I grew up watching a lot of Portland Trailblazers basketball and Oregon Ducks football.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: I think that all athletes have a story that is unique to them, and they each have something that fuels their fire. I have always liked the underdog stories of athletes, and I specifically remember one of my tennis coaches giving us an article to read about Dwyane Wade. It talked about his hardships and how he chose to work hard in athletics rather than get involved in the rough world he grew up in. My coach told me never to take the opportunity I was given for granted. If someone who has the odds stacked against him can go out and give it their all every day then I can too. Stories like that remind me that I am blessed to have the opportunity to play tennis.
Fans can see Larner and the rest of the `Cats in action this weekend against high-quality opposition. Northwestern is slated to take on No. 6 Baylor Friday night at 6:30 p.m. inside the Combe Tennis Center. The Wildcats will cap the weekend with a showdown against No. 35 Texas on Sunday at 11 a.m.