Q & A With Tennis Senior Pascale Schnitzer
9/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 13, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State senior Pascale Schnitzer joined the Spartan tennis team from her native Chile in January of 2004, competing at No. 5 singles. Last spring, she played at No. 2 singles compiling a 12-9 record for State, including a big win over Laura McGaffigan of then-No. 35 Indiana. Schnitzer also posted an impressive 7-3 doubles record in Big Ten play.
Q: How did you get recruited to Michigan State University?
A: "I looked on the internet at universities and contacted the coach through e-mail because of the tennis program."
Q: Describe the transition from Chile to Michigan State.
A: "Everything was different, beginning with the weather. I came here in the spring so it was a little bit shocking for me. My English wasn't that good so it was hard for me in the beginning, but I think I adjusted pretty fast. After the first semester I was used to everything."
Q: What are the differences between playing tennis in Chile and playing in the U.S.?
A: "Well first of all, I never played on a team before. I always played individual tennis because in Chile and South America we don't play for teams, so I was used to just caring about me. Coming here and playing on a team was a lot different."
Q: Describe the relationship you have with the other girls on the team. Do you think being competitive with one another can help raise the level of the team?
A: "It helped having the team when I first came to Michigan. I think playing against each other can be good, but you must have a limit sometimes."
Q: Do you think playing on a team has made you a better player?
A: "Yes. I learned different things and being on a team has some benefits that you don't have playing individually. You have more support, so yes, in some ways I think it made me better."
Q: For your senior year what goals have you set for yourself?
A: "I want to have my best record yet and just do my best."
Q: What kind of leadership role do you play on the team, being one of three seniors?
A: "As a senior, I just try to help the underclassmen with anything they need or anything that they want to know."
Q: Do you have any superstitions or anything?
A: "NO."
Q: What do you enjoy most about coming to MSU?
A:"I like the university. I think it's really beautiful here and I'm able to be independent."
Players Mentioned
