Chances are you’ve seen Elise Sambol around on campus before. Maybe you’ve seen her cruising around in her one of a kind gold Honda CR-V (cleverly nicknamed Goldie Hawn) or perhaps you’ve seen her duking it out on Tao Tennis courts, where her Serena Williams-esque shots rival the speed of light. Captain of the Women’s Varsity Tennis Team, Elise recently achieved her 100th career victory with a routine routing of her Colgate University opponent. Elise kindly found the time to talk tennis and her love for Nebraska with HC in between matches all the way from San Antonio, TX. Be on the lookout for this Bear Find- she’s “beary” hot!
Elise Marie Sambol
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting and Marketing
Campus Involvement: Captain of the Women’s Varsity Tennis team, member SAAC, previous VP AKPsi, was VP of Social for FAB, Retail Management TA
1. Congratulations on your 100th individual victory as a member of the Women’s Tennis Team! How does it feel to be part of such an esteemed winners’ club?
It feels great? No, it truly does. But honestly, I didn’t even know I was close to the 100 mark. Someone else actually had to tell me about it. I think my Midwestern work ethic helped me accomplish this somewhat daunting task.
2. What’s been the best/most rewarding part of being on the Wash U tennis team?
The immediate sense of community and belonging. I can be myself and I won’t be judged … well not that harshly.
3. Why should we fear you on the tennis court? Which pro tennis player does your game most resemble?
Even though I am not 5’10” and jacked out of my mind, I still have a presence that strangely exudes confidence. I also don’t like to be messed with so if you try something that I do not like, I will make you suffer by either: a) hitting you while you are at the net or b) making you trip as you run to one of my many winners during the match.
I really don’t think I resemble any tennis players, but I would like to think that my game is somewhat similar to Serena Williams game.
4. I know, from personal experience, that you hit the ball QUITE hard. Have you pegged anyone in a match recently?
Today, actually. It wasn’t one of my better pegs because I only hit her foot/shin, but I’m sure it left a mark.
5. Favorite activities to do on the rare occasion you’re off the tennis court.
Go out with my friends, go on grown up dates with my boytoy/boyfriend, work out, read, and watch my many tv shows online.
6. It’s a known fact that tennis players have particularly bad tan lines. How are yours?
Mine were great after spring break because I was able to work on them for 2 full days, but now after being in San Antonio with no time to lay out they are just awful.
7. What are you going to do to fix these tan lines?
I will have to somehow fix this little problem of mine before Athlete Formal. Does Jergen’s Natural Glow lotion really work?
7. Time will tell! What are your pre-match routines? What do you need to do to win?
Have a great warm-up that makes me sweat and loosens up my muscles, say a little prayer, check for text messages from my parents, my best friend, or my boy, and then confidently walk onto the court singing my favorite song of the moment. Before the first point, I like to say my mantra my dad made for me back in the 7th grade: Slow down, move it around, don’t let it drop, start from the top.
8. Fed express or Nadal Schmadal?
FED all the way. He is the epitome of class.
9. You’re from Omaha. Have you been cow-tipping?
I’ve never even been on a farm and since we don’t let cows wander the streets I would have to say ‘No, I have not been cow-tipping.’
10. If you weren’t going to be an accountant next year, you’d be _______________ :
An FBI agent.