Catching up with Elena Cerezo-Codina

Junior talks about how she has grown at Tech as well as competing against some of the top-ranked players in the nation

December 13, 2016

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women’s tennis team boasts a roster of talented, skilled and interesting student-athletes. In an effort to learn more about their lives on and off the court, HokieSports.com will interview select Virginia Tech women’s tennis players each week.

This week, we sat down with junior Elena Cerezo-Codina.

What differences are there from your hometown to Blacksburg?

Elena Cerezo-Codina: The weather and food (Mediterranean diet) is different as well as the time of meals. Everyone has a life outside of their home with events on the streets and different parties etc. Even the landscaping is different.

Where are your favorite spots to go on campus?

EC: My favorite spots to go on campus are the Drillfield, the duck pond and the tennis courts.

What got you involved with tennis?

EC: I played soccer until I was 9 years old. I am from a small town, so I had to play on a masculine team (only with boys). I grew up, and my father didn’t like the issue of me being around boys all the time. I love sports. My father had a friend who was a tennis coach, so I started to play, and I have been playing ever since.

If you could switch places with another Tech athlete, who would it be?

EC: I would be any soccer player. I would like to experience playing soccer around girls instead of boys.

Who do you look up to the most? Why?

EC: I try to take positive things from a lot of different people. I think everyone can teach you something. I really admire people who face big adversities in their lives such as cancer. I think that I am a fighter, and I try to smile and stay strong under any circumstance. I admire them because they have the courage to stay in life, fight for survival and be better every day.

How has your time been as a Hokie so far?

EC: It was wonderful. I lived incredible experiences. I met wonderful people, and I made a lot of friends. I visited amazing places that I never imagined I would go, and I enjoyed playing tennis with the best players in the nation. I am living one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

What has been your favorite memory as a Hokie so far?

EC: I have so many, but the biggest one was beating Miami at home my freshman year.

What has tennis done for you?

EC: It gave me a lot of things. I learned to be disciplined, responsible and how to make an effort to achieve your objectives. It gave me many positive values. I grew up as a person. I met incredible people around the world that I can call my friends. It gave me the opportunity to live in another country, achieve a degree and fight to be a better player.

CEREZO-CODINA’S QUICK HITTERS:

Favorite team to face: UVA

Favorite memory as a Hokie: Beating Miami my freshman season

Favorite thing to take on a road trip: Music

Favorite food: Anything my mom cooks (migas and tortilla de patatas)

Favorite class: Abnormal psychology

Biggest fear: Disappointing myself

Biggest pet peeve: People with hypocrisy

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snap Chat: Facebook

One word teammates use to describe you: Mentally strong

For more information on Cerezo-Codina or any of the players on the 2016-17 roster, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's tennis, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WTennis