The Rampage sat down to interview tennis captain, Mailan Bay, to gain some insight into how she feels about the game and what her plans for the future are with her tennis career.

Q: How long have you been playing on the team?

A: “Ever since my freshman year.”

Q: Do you feel you play a big role on the team?

A: “Yes, I feel like I do because I’m the only one on the team who’s been there for four years and I feel like I know what’s expected and what’s to be expected.”

Q: How do you feel when you win? When you lose? 

A: “I actually have gone through a lot of losses, so when I lose I feel like I’m not really disappointed because I know I always try my best. You can ask anyone, when they watch me they see that I try really hard and hustle for the ball.  I learn from every loss and when I win I feel like I did it!”

Q: Do you think the team has a good bond like a family?

A: “Well this year it’s kind of different because a majority of the players are new, so it’s like we’re trying to be a family. There’s definitely potential.”

Q: Do you think Coach is harder on beginners or more experience players?

A: “More experienced players. He expects more from us of course because he’s been with us for so long. The new players are just starting and he’s just showing us which direction to go in.”

Q: What do you do to get yourself prepared for a game?

A: “I just relax and keep a positive attitude because a lot of times when I used to play I used to be antsy and I would come onto the court and my head wouldn’t be in the game.”

Q: What’s the best thing about tennis?

A: “The strategy and mindset of it. It’s more of a psychological game. You have to get into that mindset that you want to win and succeed.”

Q: Who in tennis do you admire the most?

A: “I admire Serena Williams the most because she’s good and she’s number one.”

Q: Do you plan on playing tennis in college?

A: “Yes, I want to, but it depends on if I have time, if I can, if it’s available.”

Q: Is there any advice you would like to give new players?

A: “So for all the freshman, my advice would be just keep trying. A lot of them have actually given up, but just keep going and keep trying. It’s a really fun sport and once you fall in love with it you’ll be really good and love playing on the team.”