CORAL GABLES, Fla. – With three weeks at the University of Miami under her belt, Clara Tanielian of the women’s tennis team spoke with HurricaneSports.com about what it has been like.

A transfer who hails from Ensuès-la-Redonne, France, Tanielian also previewed what she is most looking forward to at Miami and more . . .

Q: You’ve been at UM for a few weeks now. What’s it been like so far?

A: Well, it’s really different from what I’ve been used to doing and I really enjoy it so far. Like, playing tennis and studying, it’s just what I want to do and the team and the coaches are amazing and the campus is also. The atmosphere is really nice, so it couldn’t be better.

Q: What’s been your single most favorite part so far?

A: I would say—I don’t really know actually—I enjoyed when I got here and the team welcomed me [when I got off the bus]. I enjoyed the first practice too. It was very intense, very hard, but still nice too. [In addition], maybe just when we went to the restaurant with the girls, just trying to get to know them and just having fun together. It’s really nice and very different from what I did last year, so I like it.

Q: You mentioned when the girls greeted you when you got here, but also when you were flying to Miami you ended up being on the plane with the women’s basketball team [returning from its foreign tour]. How interesting was that to see so many Hurricanes on the way to Miami with you?

A: Yeah, it was cool. Actually, I was so surprised in the airport and I just was so shy. I didn’t want to talk to them in the beginning and then I just tried to begin a conversation and they were super nice. I was really surprised at the way they tried to integrate me into their group and then at the airport in Miami they were super nice too. They helped me to do many things, so it was super nice and a good first vision of what the University will be.

Q: Are you taking any fun classes?

A: Yeah, I’m taking philosophy. I thought philosophy wouldn’t be nice at all, but it’s actually a really cool class . . . and we’re talking a lot and it’s interesting and the teacher is funny. So this one is fun, and I love every single class I’m taking.

Q: Is there anyone on the team who has started to show you around and kind of mentor you as you’re getting adjusted to UM at all?

A: I would say Steffi [Stephanie Wagner]. She’s a senior and she helped me to find [where places are] at the University and helped me to figure out some stuff, but Siny [Sinead Lohan] or Wendy [Zhang] too. And the other girls too, it’s just [they were the] ones who . . . spent time with me the first few days, but the other girls are really nice too.

Q: What are you most excited for about being a Hurricane?

A: Playing team matches.

Q: That’s something you haven’t done before, right?

A: No, I’ve never done that before. I’m really looking forward to the spring season. I think it’s going to be lots of fun.

Q: When you look back on it, what was it about Miami that made you feel like this was the school for you?

A: The level of the tennis team, for sure. I know this was a strong team and most specifically the coaches. I met the coaches and I really think they were wise and the girls were super nice too . . . I would say the girls and the coaches really is what made my decision.