New at The U: Daniella Roldan
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Daniella Roldan opened her college career at Texas for two years before making her way to the University of Miami women’s tennis team earlier this month as a transfer.
Roldan, a 5-foot-10-inch junior from Boca Raton, Fla., spoke with HurricaneSports.com about her choice to return to the Sunshine State, her style of tennis and much more . . .
Q: You have been at Miami for a few weeks now. How has it been so far?
A: I love it. I think everything is really good. I’m really excited about the team. The coaches and just everyone have been really awesome.
Q: When you decided to transfer, what made you decide on UM as the place you wanted to go?
A: Mostly, the coaches and the vibe that I got from them. I knew one girl on the team and just knowing how she was, she told me everything about the school and I just knew I had to be here.
Q: What is your favorite part about being at school in South Florida?
A: I guess it’s the closest thing to [my parents’ home in Colombia] in America. So, I think that helps a lot.
Q: What has been the biggest adjustment that you have had to make since switching schools?
A: Well, coaching- and practice-wise it’s very different. I think it’s a really good change for me . . . [In addition], just trying to get everything together these first few days is pretty hectic.
Q: Do you know what you want to major in and, if so, how did you decide on it?
A: So, I actually tried to do economics back at UT. I changed a couple of times based on the classes that I was taking. I really like law and I spoke to one of my advisors and we decided that political science would be a really good fit for me. Based on that, I could see if I really like law [enough that I would want] to go to law school after or not.
Q: What are you most excited for about your UM career?
A: Just being tougher as a person. I know that’s one of the things that I’m going to be looking to be improving. I think the coaches, the team and everyone around me are going to help me get that.
Q: On the court, what do you do well?
A: I serve pretty well, I love playing doubles and I’m a really good fighter. I’m pretty feisty.
Q: What do you think you need to work on the most?
A: Being tougher, as I said. I think that is one of the things that is going to help me improve both mentally and tennis-wise.
Q: Who is your favorite tennis player, or is there anyone you try to look to and emulate how he or she plays?
A: Roger Federer. I think he is one of the greatest athletes and is one of the greatest tennis players there is in history.
Q: Are there any players on the team who have kind of taken you under their wings a little bit and started to show you around and help you get acclimated?
A: All of them . . . It’s not that they had to do it, they all just wanted to. All of them texted me. All of them were super welcoming. I’m really happy about that.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
