Introducing U: Tia Dupont
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – One of five freshmen on the University of Miami soccer team, Tia Dupont is getting quickly used to her new surroundings in South Florida.
A 5-foot-8-inch forward from Sicklerville, N.J., the Our Lady of Mercy Academy graduate took the time to speak with HurricaneSports.com about her opening weeks at The U, her style of play and more. . .
Q: You have been at UM for about three weeks now. What has it been like for you so far?
A: It’s been good. I’ve gotten adjusted to classes and I’m bonding really well with the team, definitely. I’m starting to like it a lot. I’m getting used to the heat and the workouts, all the running and the fitness. So, it’s been good.
Q: What has been your favorite part thus far?
A: Probably getting to know the team more. I like hanging out with everyone, bonding with my fellow freshmen and the older girls, too.
Q: How much has it helped that there are four other freshmen who are here with you at the same time getting acclimated with you?
A: A lot, definitely. We all go to the dining hall together. We all go to the Hurricane 101 meetings together. Usually you have someone who is willing to do what you want to do, so it helps a lot because you’re never alone.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your college career?
A: I’m really excited to play at the level of the ACC and compete against girls who are probably better than me, so I can learn from watching other people and better myself as a player. And I’m excited to get an education.
Q: How would you describe your style as a soccer player?
A: I’ve been told I have a high soccer IQ. I usually look around first before I do things, but then at the same time, when I get the ball, I like to go. So, if I’m up top and I get the ball, I run straight at the net, that kind of thing. I definitely like to score and I like to attack.
Q: What do you see as the areas of your game that you most need to work on?
A: I would say, definitely, aerial control. I need to work on [the fact that] sometimes when I run at the net I go wide instead of to the center. I can always improve how much I talk on the field.
Q: Have you decided what you want to major in and, if so, how did you decide on that?
A: Well, I’m undeclared business right now, but I’m leaning more towards entrepreneurship just because I want to be my own employer. I want to either own my own business or I want to run somebody else’s business, mostly because that is what my mom and my stepdad do. They run a used car dealership together. So, I see what they do and I kind of want that.
Q: When you think back on it, what made you decide that Miami was the school for you?
A: When I came down for an ID camp, Mary-Frances [Monroe] was very engaging. All the coaches seemed really, really nice. I really enjoyed it. I loved the campus. I loved the area around campus, too, and my mom grew up here in Miami. So, it makes her happy that I’m here because I have a lot of family [in the area].
Q: Have you spent a lot of time in South Florida before?
A: I used to vacation here a lot because we have family members [down here]. The first time I came [to UM] was with my friend like two springs ago. She was looking at the school just to come here, not for sports. That was the first time I saw it and I got really interested. That’s when I did the ID camp.
Q: Are there any particular players who have taken you under their wings at all and helped show you around?
A: Well, Ronnie [Johnson], she has helped all the freshmen. She has been really good with us, talks to us a lot. Lexi [Castellano] gives me a lot of rides to places and I’ve been hanging out with Niccola [Venezia] a lot, talking with her a lot. In general, everyone has been very, very welcoming to all the freshmen, really nice to us.
To keep up with the University of Miami soccer team on social media, follow @CanesFutbol on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
