North Carolina State University Athletics
Student-Athlete Spotlight: Sophie Nelson
1/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
RALEIGH, N.C.- Recently, Gopack.com had the opportunity to catch up with Sophie Nelson from the women’s tennis team to get to know more about who she is.
A senior from Southampton, England, Sophie will graduate in May with degrees in political science and English.
Throughout her career, she has compiled 31 wins in doubles play, winning six straight doubles matches to start the season last spring and playing a team-high 10 doubles matches in the No. 1 position.
Why she chose NC State: “The close-knit team environment the girls had when I visited on my recruiting trip seemed so unique and definitely something I wanted to be part of. I also really like Raleigh and the fact that it is a straight flight over here was an added bonus!”
Her plans after college are: “There are no concrete plans yet but I’ll most likely return to England and find a job there.”
The cultural differences between England and the US: “I would say that the emphasis placed on sport is a lot more significant here; I wouldn’t have this opportunity to play my sport and get a degree simultaneously back home. Everything in general is just bigger here too, especially food portion sizes!”
Someone on the team that inspires her to do her best: “Taylor Zaytoun is easily the hardest working person I know. She constantly gives 100% effort whether it is on the court or in the gym and sets an example for everyone else to follow.”
Some personal and team goals she has set for her final campaign: “I would love to make the NCAA tournament again, we made it my sophomore year and it was the best feeling ever knowing that our hard work all season had paid off. A winning record would be nice too!”
What a typical day is like for her as a student-athlete: “I usually start the day with a big breakfast as I’m not too social before I’ve eaten. Then I go to classes in the morning and have practice in the afternoon, which is followed by lifting and then conditioning. After that I’ll probably take an ice bath and then have dinner with the team, and the rest of my evening is filled with homework or Netflix or both at the same time.”
What she enjoys doing when she is not in class or at practice: “I do quite a bit of writing so some of my free time is spent doing columns either for the Technician or for the online blog Elite Daily. I also watch a lot of premier league football (soccer) and probably way too much Netflix!”
To keep up with the latest information on NC State Women's Tennis:
Facebook: NC State Women's Tennis
Twitter: @PackWTennis @CoachEarnshaw
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