Taylor Gilliam, Women's Tennis Sophomore, Chemistry
Middletown, Ohio/Lebanon HS
I WILL succeed in my tennis career
I WILL work hard throughout my next three years as chemistry major
I WILL make time for my friends and family
Freshmen year in college is a time where one learns to develop both as an independent person and as a student. Sports information assistant Bryan DeArdo talked with now sophomore Taylor Gilliam about her freshmen year, her expectations for this year and what is her favorite food as the main dining hall.
BD: What did learn the most from your first year on the tennis team?
TG: The thing I learned the most from my first year on the tennis team was that win or lose, my teammates were always there for me!
BD: How do you look to contribute to the team this year?
TG: This year I plan on contributing by maintaining the position I played on last year. I played first doubles and third singles. Hopefully, I'll start up some fall conditioning for the incoming freshman.
BD: What is the life of a Chemistry student like at Capital?
TG: Life as a chemistry student at Capital is a lot of hard work and dedication. It's hard sometimes to balance the work that comes with being Chemistry major, along with extracurricular activities and friends. I definitely learned freshman year how to manage my time with all the work I was handed.
BD: What are you looking forward to the most about this upcoming school year?
TG: One thing I am looking forward to most this year is hopefully resurfaced tennis courts. Other than that, I'm hoping to make friends with the new freshman class coming in and hoping to get some of them to play tennis!
BD: Being a freshman last year, you probably frequented the MDR for most of your meals during the week. What is the best good there?
TG: The best thing in the MDR was Nina's corn pudding. It was amazing. Other than that, the cookies were fabulous!
BD: What were the pros and cons to living in a dorm?
TG: You live in close spaces with so many girls, but that allows you to make a lot of new friends. That's part of the college experience.
BD: Would you rather have morning classes and get them over with, or sleep in and have afternoon classes?
TG: I prefer to get all my classes done in the morning so I have a chance to get all homework done and go to work before practice.
BD: What is a coolest part of being an NCAA athlete that most people don't think about?
TG: It's neat just to say that I'm playing a sport in college. Many people dream about it and never do it. I'm living that dream.
BD: What's on your I Pod when you work out?
TG: Typically, I have a lot of hip and rap to keep my blood pumping while I'm running or lifting weights.
BD: What would you like to accomplish at Capital before you graduate?
TG: I would like to eventually play first singles for Capital and graduate at the top of my class and with honors.