SAACthlete of the Week - Silvia Fuentes
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami women’s tennis player Silvia Fuentes is an active member in the Hurricanes’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. See how Miami SAAC has helped this Hurricane senior prepare for life after graduation in this week’s SAACthlete of the Week.
Why did you decide to be a part of SAAC?
“I always saw the SAAC being present in a lot of community events, and that caught my eye. UM is among the best schools in the country when it comes to community engagement and I wanted to be part of the family and give back to other people.”
What is your favorite memory from SAAC?
“Probably the first SAAC meeting I was in. We all watched a video about mental health for athletes and the majority of us could identify with what the video was about.”
Why did you pick Miami?
“The team culture and team atmosphere really caught my attention when I had my official visit. The coaches, the girls, the staff, they all seem to be very hard working and passionate about tennis, just like I am. Also, academic wise UM is a very good school. It has great facilities, amazing weather all year long. It was the perfect match.”
What is your favorite moment in your sport so far as a Hurricane?
“Probably when we beat the No. 2 team in the country (Ohio State) at home during Spring 2016. We had a very good season. We were within the top 10 teams of the country for the majority of the season. We also went undefeated at home, which was also a very nice experience.
What skills have you gained from being in SAAC or through the many development events?
“Being part of the SAAC has really impact me in a positive way. I feel supported because since all the members are athletes, we all go through the same struggles/endeavors in a similar way. I also improved the ability to work with people who are different from me when it comes to culture, age and point of view.”
How has your team benefitted from having a SAAC?
“I think my team feels now that they have a voice. They can speak about anything that may be a concern for them – for example – new rules by the NCAA and new University policies. They also are aware of all the community service events and how important those are. The SAAC really shows you the art of giving back to the community and whenever we volunteer, we feel we are contributing and representing the school and the team in a positive manner.”
What is the biggest challenge that you’ve faced in your college career and how did you overcome it?
“The biggest challenge that I had to over was probably my freshman year. It took me a while to get used to the new city, new culture, new team – everything was new. New beginnings are never easy, and also my language skills were not great. I learned to be more patient with myself and give myself the time to adapt to a new situation. I got a lot of support from my teammates and the school, since there is a lot of diversity within athletes and in campus in general.”
What is one fun fact about you?
“When I was a kid, I would always tell my family that I wanted to be a professional tennis player and live in Miami. What I didn’t know is that 10 years later, I would be actually living in Miami and representing a top 10 team in the nation!”
