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Meet the Newcomers: Maria Rizzolo
8/10/2021 12:46:00 PM | Tennis
Get to know the new Gopher from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's tennis team welcomes five newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Maria Rizzolo, a freshman from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and the Laurel Springs School. Rizzolo shares why she decided to become a Gopher, her life away from the court, and more.
Gopher Sports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Maria Rizzolo: The biggest reason why I chose the University of Minnesota is because of the coaches. I really loved talking to both Coach Catrina and Coach Meghan. I felt like I really connected to them on the phone. I also enjoyed talking to both of them more than all the other college coaches I talked to before them. Academics was also a big factor for me because I wanted a school with good tennis and academics. Minnesota has great academics and it had everything I was looking for in a college.
GS: What field of study are you in and why?
MR: Right now, I am undecided in regards to a major. I am not sure what I want to study, so I am hoping to take a bunch of different classes and find out what I want to do.
GS: When did you start playing tennis?
MR: I started playing at age 8.
GS: What hobbies do you have outside of tennis?
MR: I really love to read, work out, and spend time with my family.
GS: What's your family like?
MR: My family is a very active family. We are all athletes. We are a very close family and all live within five minutes of each other. All my siblings played tennis, my dad played soccer, and my mom was a dancer.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MR: I played a little bit of soccer but mainly tennis.
Fast Facts with Maria Rizzolo!
Hidden Talent: reading, I've read over 200 books in one year.
Favorite Season: Summer
Favorite Animal: panda
Favorite Movie: The Blind Side
Favorite TV Show: All American
Night Person or morning person?: morning person
Describe yourself in one word: hard-working
Favorite Food: pasta
Favorite Tennis Player: Serena Williams
Gopher Sports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Maria Rizzolo: The biggest reason why I chose the University of Minnesota is because of the coaches. I really loved talking to both Coach Catrina and Coach Meghan. I felt like I really connected to them on the phone. I also enjoyed talking to both of them more than all the other college coaches I talked to before them. Academics was also a big factor for me because I wanted a school with good tennis and academics. Minnesota has great academics and it had everything I was looking for in a college.
GS: What field of study are you in and why?
MR: Right now, I am undecided in regards to a major. I am not sure what I want to study, so I am hoping to take a bunch of different classes and find out what I want to do.
GS: When did you start playing tennis?
MR: I started playing at age 8.
GS: What hobbies do you have outside of tennis?
MR: I really love to read, work out, and spend time with my family.
GS: What's your family like?
MR: My family is a very active family. We are all athletes. We are a very close family and all live within five minutes of each other. All my siblings played tennis, my dad played soccer, and my mom was a dancer.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MR: I played a little bit of soccer but mainly tennis.
Fast Facts with Maria Rizzolo!
Hidden Talent: reading, I've read over 200 books in one year.
Favorite Season: Summer
Favorite Animal: panda
Favorite Movie: The Blind Side
Favorite TV Show: All American
Night Person or morning person?: morning person
Describe yourself in one word: hard-working
Favorite Food: pasta
Favorite Tennis Player: Serena Williams
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