By Natasha Muhametzyanova, Contributing Writer

This May, Hilltop Tennis will say goodbye to some of its brightest players as they graduate from WLU. This year, coach Heather Gallagher’s Lady Toppers ranked ninth in the NCAA II Atlantic Region rankings. Graduating Lady Toppers are Raquel Cabero and Andrea Puga.

The men’s team will see even bigger changes next season as five Toppers will be graduating this semester: Pablo Cimorra, Santiago Gutierrez, Baptiste Perrin, Andrew Ponder and Matt Tully. The men’s team received second place in the first NCAA II Atlantic Region rankings.

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

We all share the same passion for tennis. I love playing matches and traveling with my team. I really like all my teammates and my coach.

What is your favorite college memory?

It is my last home match. It was really moving to know it was the last match after all these years of playing.

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

I’m not gonna miss having to study for the tests and do assignments.

What are your future plans?

I’m gonna work for a year to make money and pay for my master’s program.

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

[I’ve been] in love with tennis since I was three years old. Playing matches and practicing with my teammates is great. I love waking up in the morning and knowing that I have a practice just makes me happy. We are a family, and we learn from each other every day.

What is your favorite college memory?

I think the time when my teammates and I went to New York to the U.S. Open Tournament, and of course, many other trips we had together and the times there were tough matches and you have your teammates there telling you, “You got this.”

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

I’m not gonna miss the weather and being in the middle of nowhere.

What are your future plans?

Well, I’m going to Las Vegas to celebrate my graduation! After that I’m hoping to get some experience in my field and work for a year in the U.S. I love studying, so I’m planning on applying for MBA next year.  

What is your advice to the students who will join the team next year?

Enjoy every day because time flies. The next moment you realize you’re already a senior and you just played your last match and you wonder what you’re gonna do with the rest of your life without tennis.

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

In Spain, I can’t play tennis and study at the same time. West Liberty gave me an opportunity to do something that I love.

What is your favorite college memory?

Travelling with my teammates and parties.

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

I like pretty much everything, but I will not miss some of my classes.

What are your future plans?

I am looking for one-year internship in the Wheeling area. After that, I am planning to apply for a master’s degree either in Spain or another European country.  

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

The experience of meeting new people from different places. I started playing tennis when I was five. All that time, tennis has been an individual sport for me, so it was nice to experience four years of team work.

What is your favorite college memory?

Making friends and meeting my girlfriend.

What are your plans for future?

I’m looking for a job in Pittsburgh area.

What is your advice to the students who will join the team next year?

Have fun and enjoy your time here. It’s gonna be a nice four years.

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

Sharing adventures with my teammates and winning together and travelling together.

What is your favorite college memory?

I made so many good memories here like watching basketball games and going out with friends. My graduation will probably become a great memory too. I think my favorite moment though was when I qualified for Nationals.

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

Being unable to go anywhere without a car. I will definitely not miss that.

What are your plans for future?

I’m planning on going to grad school in the fall and getting a graduate assistant position as a tennis assistant coach, but I don’t know yet which university I will go to. I want to be involved in tennis in some way and maybe become a coach in future.

What is your advice to the students who will join the team next year?

You’d better work hard to have the same great team we have now.

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

Growing up, you participate in all the tournaments individually, but here you get to play as a group. There are days when you can win your matches and the whole team loses or vice versa and you still win as a group.

What is your favorite college memory?

When we won Conference for the second time.

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

I will not miss the weather here. I’m from England, but this weather is too much even for me.

What are your plans for future?

I am definitely done with college.  I’m going back to England. I have a graduation ceremony on Saturday, and Monday morning I’ll be already on a plane. I’m a level-2 coach back home, so I think I will be coaching for a while.  

What is the best part of being involved with Hilltop Tennis?

I like being in a team environment. So you’re not just playing by yourself in tournaments, but you can look across the court and see the other guys, and you compete together. That’s really fun and exciting.

What is your favorite college memory?

For me it’s probably a collection of memories: meeting the guys, going to tournaments together, and winning Conference two years in a row.

What are some things you won’t miss after college?

Having to get up at 8 o’clock and go to classes.

What are your plans for future?

I’m planning on staying in U.S. for a year or two and hopefully go to either New York or San Francisco. I’m looking into a placement with a finance company that offers an extensive training in the field.

What is your advice to the students who will join the team next year?

Work hard, practice and just enjoy the experience of being out there for four years. Just make the most of it while you can before you go to the real world.

Photo credits: Hilltoppersports.com and Natasha Muhametzyanova