Nov. 12, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - This week brings another installment of "Catching Up With Women's Tennis". Last time we caught up with junior Marjorie Ondeck, who has spent two years in the program. This week we caught up with one of Lee Taylor Walker's two freshman on his squad, Robyn Jones. Jones has gone 5-3 in her first fall with the Memphis Lady Tigers. She is primed to have a successful career for the Blue and Gray.

What did it mean for you to come in and win your flight's championship at the Roberta Alison Fall Invite in your first tournament of your Memphis career?

"It was a huge relief to come right in and win my flight at the Alabama tournament. Coming in and playing college tennis is intimidating. Most of the players you compete against are intimidating. To see that I actually could play with some of them gave me a lot of confidence going into the next tournament."

What do you do as a student-athlete to balance your time between tennis and schoolwork?

"You are only on court for so much time. Lee (Taylor Walker) doesn't ask very much of us compared to the other coaches. You just have to make the most out of your time on the court, it is about quality not quantity. Whenever you get off of the court you need to go just as hard in your studies."

What are some of your career aspirations?

"I am looking to major in international business. I am really interested in possibly working for Medtronic or another company with headquarters in Memphis. I am still just fishing around."

What brought you to the University of Memphis from Baton Rouge?

"It was really the coaching staff. They are the unbelievable. They are the best coaching staff by far in the country. It is only a matter of time before everyone starts to realize that, as well. The city also brought me in, everybody loves Memphis, it is a great city."

"His attention to detail, everything is extremely organized. He knows exactly what he is doing at every practice, every minute. It is that kind of structure that helps a program excel. You can't fail, there is no way too. Him and Matt and his wife, Erin, they are all there pushing us every day."

How are the relationships with the other girls on the team?

"It has been awesome. I wouldn't have been able to make such an easy transition if it wasn't for the other girls on the team. My roommate, Summer, and I, are both freshman. She was from halfway across the world and they just welcomed us with open arms. They are just the most warm, nicest people you could ever ask for."

How has it been rooming with Summer since she is from Australia?

"It has been awesome. She is my best friend. It is a different culture and it is just fun to experience that and get to know what life might be like over in Australia. She is just awesome."

What are some of your personal goals and team goals for the next four years?

"As far as team goals go, we just want to continue rising to the top of the conference and continue to do well. They did better last year than they had the year before, so we just need to keep rising this year. Individually, it is hard to say. I would really just like to continue improving. It is not as much about results right now personally. I am more focused on just improving my game because I have three years to go. I am looking at the end product instead of just right now."

You start off the season playing one of the better teams in the country in Georgia. What does that mean to get right in the thick of things and play a tough schedule?

"Georgia is eight weeks away right now. It shows what Lee and Matt and the Memphis team is all about. You don't just ease into it, you go right at it."