Introducing U: Emma Tucker
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Leaving the winters of Marshfield, Mass., for the year long summer in Miami, freshman Emma Tucker is quickly getting accustomed to her new surroundings and teammates.
HurricaneSports.com caught up with the 5-foot, 3-inch midfielder to chat about her first month at The U…
Q: To start off, you have been at Miami for almost a month now. How has the experience been thus far?
“It has been awesome. Coming in early has helped tremendously. Getting to know the upperclassmen has also been great as they have been so welcoming and whatever we need, they are always there for us. [Strength and conditioning coach] Trey [Watson] and [athletic trainer] Karl [Rennalls] are always available for us, so they are really good resources to have. So overall, it has been amazing.”
Q: Have any of the upperclassmen in particular been there to help show you and the other freshmen around and help get you acclimated?
“Selena [Fortich], Kristina [Fisher], we call her Fish, Dejah [Cason] and Tia [Dupont], and then everybody else started to trickle in a little bit later. But they have all been very helpful.”
Q: Do you have a favorite place on campus yet?
“My favorite place so far is the seats right on the lake outside of the campus Starbucks, which my roommate, Jaclyn Marra, and I go to every Sunday to do homework for a couple hours. It is really relaxing.”
Q: Being born and raised in Massachusetts, how has it been getting acclimated to the weather?
“So, I always loved the warm weather, but getting acclimated to this heat has been sort of tough, but I am getting there. And really, I am just excited to get away from the cold and the winters.”
Q: What do you feel are your main strengths as a player?
“I am quick both on and off the ball, which is good. I also have a good view of the field and able to decide whether to place the ball in the air or on the ground. I am also good with give and goes and can read both my teammates and opponents pretty well.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your college career?
“Definitely being successful as a player and a team, altogether. I think that there is always room for improvement. So going in with an open mind and working hard is going to be important.”
Q: Are there any pros who you look up to and try to emulate or whom you just enjoy watching?
“From the U.S. Women’s National Team, I like watching Sam Mewis. She is also from Massachusetts and used to play club, so I have always looked up to her. And seeing her perform was really cool, knowing how hard she worked shows me that anything is possible.”
Q: Do you know what you want to major in and, if so, how did you decide that?
“I am working towards marine biology. I chose it because I love the ocean and I love to surf. I just love being on the water. Also, the program offered at Miami is one of the best in the country.”
Quick Facts…
Favorite professional sports team: New England Patriots
Favorite ice cream: Moose tracks
Favorite non-soccer professional athlete: Mookie Betts
A show you like to binge watch: The Office
Favorite snack: Trail mix
Nickname: Tuck or Em
Go to song to warm-up to: I have a lot, but I would say “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas
