Checking in With Anna Collins
April 29, 2020 | Women's Tennis
Senior tennis player is spending her time here in Louisville
Throughout the remainder of the 2020 spring semester, we will check in with the players on the University of Louisville women's tennis team as they complete their semesters online. This week we check in with Anna Collins.
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Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being cancelled?
A: Obviously it's pretty disappointing. I was really excited for how the rest of our season was going to look because I know how hard we've worked as a team. It's a shame it has to end this way but these girls are special and I know the returners will come out of this stronger and motivated to make next year a great year. I'm super excited for them to see what happens!
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Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?Â
A: I've been just trying to relax and spend some quiet time reading and writing. I've started playing guitar and piano a lot more than I used to and I've enjoyed that a lot. Also just being intentional with keeping in touch with my friends and family has been a goal of mine during this time.
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Q: What did you have originally planned for spring break and what are you actually doing?
 A: I had planned to stay in Louisville and that's where I've been since this all started. I'm kind of glad I didn't have any big plans!
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Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
 A: I've been trying to just do some body weight circuits at my house and a lot of core work. Our strength coach sent us ideas and circuits we can do on our own so I've been trying to implement that. The two flights of stairs in my house have helped too :)
Â
Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
 A: I was really impressed with how we have been able to overcome some obstacles as a team this spring and just show heart in every match we played. We've played some really good tennis and had a lot of victories through both the wins and the losses. This is a special group of girls and I think we were heading in the right direction with a lot more to give.Â
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Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
 A: I think the people is what I'll miss the most. I've always enjoyed the community here and for it to be like a ghost town now is pretty tough. But that's why I'm still thankful for social media and phones where I can still keep in contact with all the people that I know here.Â
Â
Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
 A: It's been tough with everyone being spread out now but FaceTime and Zoom is such a nice way to just see their faces every once in a while. But we always have our group chats and stuff to keep in contact which is nice too!
Â
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: Just thank you so much for your continued support even in the midst of this. I know it's a struggle for everyone and your encouragement and support of us athletes really does mean a lot. A lot of us wouldn't be able to be here without!
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory of this season prior to the sudden end?
A: Probably one of the most enjoyable times I had this season was going to Hawaii. We didn't actually get a lot of tennis in because of the weather but it was great to be able to go to the beach and just enjoy that time with my teammates. It's definitely something I'll remember for a while and I'm just glad to have gotten to do it with this particular group of girls :)
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal? Â
A: What comes to mind is just all the significant wins I've been able to be here for. From beating Virginia my freshman year and going to Bandido's afterwards to celebrate, to beating Syracuse in the first round of ACC's that same year. The next year beating Furman and Virginia Tech. Last year beating Furman again and Clemson. But in all of that I think it's just been a feeling of pride that I've gotten to be a part of such a special program. Each of the girls that I've been on a team with will always hold a special place in my heart because they're the ones that I went through all of this with. From my first two years waking up to work our tails off for 6am "Fun Friday's", to just every other time we had to work through something together, even this year. I think it's the people and the little moments that I remember and will treasure the most.Â
Â
Q: Are you home or on campus? (Either way, what have you been doing ? what have you binged watched, hobbies, etc.)
 A: My family is really spread out so I've chosen to just sit tight wait out the storm and try to just focus and get my work done. When I'm not doing that, though, I've started watching the show Lost (my brother recommended it and I finally have time). Also trying to keep up with Grey's Anatomy when I'm not playing guitar or piano. Just been trying to chill and stay healthy mentally and physically!
Â
Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus? Â
A: Thankfully no one in my family has been. My sister is a medical professional in Nashville so has seen a lot of the effects of it but thankful her and her family have not been directly affected themselves! Very thankful they are all safe and hoping it stays that way :)
Â
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Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being cancelled?
A: Obviously it's pretty disappointing. I was really excited for how the rest of our season was going to look because I know how hard we've worked as a team. It's a shame it has to end this way but these girls are special and I know the returners will come out of this stronger and motivated to make next year a great year. I'm super excited for them to see what happens!
Â
Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?Â
A: I've been just trying to relax and spend some quiet time reading and writing. I've started playing guitar and piano a lot more than I used to and I've enjoyed that a lot. Also just being intentional with keeping in touch with my friends and family has been a goal of mine during this time.
Â
Q: What did you have originally planned for spring break and what are you actually doing?
 A: I had planned to stay in Louisville and that's where I've been since this all started. I'm kind of glad I didn't have any big plans!
Â
Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
 A: I've been trying to just do some body weight circuits at my house and a lot of core work. Our strength coach sent us ideas and circuits we can do on our own so I've been trying to implement that. The two flights of stairs in my house have helped too :)
Â
Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
 A: I was really impressed with how we have been able to overcome some obstacles as a team this spring and just show heart in every match we played. We've played some really good tennis and had a lot of victories through both the wins and the losses. This is a special group of girls and I think we were heading in the right direction with a lot more to give.Â
Â
Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
 A: I think the people is what I'll miss the most. I've always enjoyed the community here and for it to be like a ghost town now is pretty tough. But that's why I'm still thankful for social media and phones where I can still keep in contact with all the people that I know here.Â
Â
Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
 A: It's been tough with everyone being spread out now but FaceTime and Zoom is such a nice way to just see their faces every once in a while. But we always have our group chats and stuff to keep in contact which is nice too!
Â
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: Just thank you so much for your continued support even in the midst of this. I know it's a struggle for everyone and your encouragement and support of us athletes really does mean a lot. A lot of us wouldn't be able to be here without!
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory of this season prior to the sudden end?
A: Probably one of the most enjoyable times I had this season was going to Hawaii. We didn't actually get a lot of tennis in because of the weather but it was great to be able to go to the beach and just enjoy that time with my teammates. It's definitely something I'll remember for a while and I'm just glad to have gotten to do it with this particular group of girls :)
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal? Â
A: What comes to mind is just all the significant wins I've been able to be here for. From beating Virginia my freshman year and going to Bandido's afterwards to celebrate, to beating Syracuse in the first round of ACC's that same year. The next year beating Furman and Virginia Tech. Last year beating Furman again and Clemson. But in all of that I think it's just been a feeling of pride that I've gotten to be a part of such a special program. Each of the girls that I've been on a team with will always hold a special place in my heart because they're the ones that I went through all of this with. From my first two years waking up to work our tails off for 6am "Fun Friday's", to just every other time we had to work through something together, even this year. I think it's the people and the little moments that I remember and will treasure the most.Â
Â
Q: Are you home or on campus? (Either way, what have you been doing ? what have you binged watched, hobbies, etc.)
 A: My family is really spread out so I've chosen to just sit tight wait out the storm and try to just focus and get my work done. When I'm not doing that, though, I've started watching the show Lost (my brother recommended it and I finally have time). Also trying to keep up with Grey's Anatomy when I'm not playing guitar or piano. Just been trying to chill and stay healthy mentally and physically!
Â
Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus? Â
A: Thankfully no one in my family has been. My sister is a medical professional in Nashville so has seen a lot of the effects of it but thankful her and her family have not been directly affected themselves! Very thankful they are all safe and hoping it stays that way :)
Â
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