We asked a pair of sophomore Alexes to be a part of He Said/She Said this week in men's tennis player Alex DiValerio and women's golfer Marina Alex, where we ask one male Commodore and one female Commodore the same set of questions to get a sense of some similarities and differences in the Vanderbilt student-athlete community.
Here are Marina's answers, click here to read Alex's.
Vanderbilt Hustler: What's the biggest difference between this year and your freshman year?
Marina Alex: I think just playing more college golf, getting more comfortable with it. I played really well over the summer so I’ve had a lot to build off of.
VH: How important is experience in your sport?
MA: It’s huge. It makes all the difference. The more you give yourself situations where you’re in the lead or trying to win a golf tournament, the better it is. The first time you’re there, it’s kind of nerve-wracking. The more times you get yourself there, the easier it is.
VH: What do you hope to accomplish in the rest of your Vanderbilt career?
MA: I’d like to be All-American and leave Vanderbilt with a great record.
VH: What do you think is the most important element of your sport?
MA: Experience and controlling the mental aspect, emotional, and making the right decision on the golf course. That’s more important than everything.
VH: What's your pre-match ritual?
MA: We each do our own thing to get ourselves ready. It’s hard because you’re out there for five hours, it’s not like you’re running around with adrenaline going. It’s difficult, so we do some practice things to get our mind in the right place and to get ourselves focused, so when we’re out there it’s not any different.
VH: Why did you choose Vanderbilt? MA: When I came for my visit, I really loved it. I looked at Wake Forest, I looked at UT, some other really good golf schools, but Vandy just had it all.
VH: What's the best part of being in the Vanderbilt athletic community?
MA: There’s a lot of diversity here. We’ve got people from everywhere. It’s not just the south, there’s a lot of northern people, lot of people from the west coast, and everyone has a really good time. We take our sports seriously and we take our school seriously.
VH: What’s your favorite sports movie?
MA: Caddyshack.
VH: What's your favorite sport to watch?
MA: Football. All the time, football.
VH: Do you have a favorite pre-match meal?
MA: No (laughing). I just have breakfast.
