After competing in four fall tournaments, the UC Irvine women's tennis team is preparing for their 2020 dual-match season which starts tomorrow at Cal Tech. Freshman Jenna Schlatter, a four-star recruit out of Saint Helena High School is one of two newcomers joining a squad that includes 11 returners. Schlatter took some time to talk about what she is looking forward to in the upcoming season, her love for travel, her career aspirations and more.
 
Jenna Schlatter
Women's Tennis
Year: Freshman
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Saint Helena, Calif.
 
Other than tennis, you also played soccer during high school. What made you decide to turn your efforts and focus to continuing your tennis career?
Growing up, I always enjoyed both tennis and soccer. I tried playing both sports as long as I could until I had to pick one. I decided to turn my efforts and focus on tennis because it was an individual sport rather than a team sport. I liked the fact that I had to play for myself and not rely on others to help me out on the court. Ultimately, I decided to stop soccer and pursue tennis because it was what I wanted to do in college.
 
How has your team welcomed you? How would you describe your team in one word?
My team has welcomed me with open arms. Coming in as the only freshman was a bit intimidating at first but after a week of being on the team I felt very comfortable with them and thought I meshed in perfectly. Our team has outstanding chemistry and I'm glad I was able to fit in effortlessly. If I had to choose one word to describe my team, it would be fun. We always have fun on and off the court no matter the circumstances and I know I can rely on each and every one of them if need be. 
 
What are you looking forward to in your freshman season? Have you set any goals you wish to accomplish?
I look forward to competing as a team. During our pre-season we competed individually while representing UC Irvine, so it will be a pleasant change to compete as a whole team throughout the dual match season. 
 
If you had a whole day to spend with Rodger Federer, what would you want to do and what are some questions you would you want to ask him?
If I had a whole day to spend with Roger Federer, I would plan to perhaps spend a day skiing in the Swiss Alps. Questions I would want to ask would be:

• What's your secret to staying injury free most of your career?
• How do you make tennis look so fluid and elegant?
• Did you miss going to college?
• How have you been able to be so consistent over the years? 

You have traveled to over 10 different countries. Which country was your favorite? Is there a country you have not traveled to yet and want to visit?
My family loves to travel so I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel with them as much as I do. I would say my favorite country that I've traveled to so far has to be the Netherlands. I visited Amsterdam over the summer and absolutely fell in love with the city and the culture. The people were extremely kind, the food was very versatile, and the attractions were beautiful! One country that I would love to visit but have not yet been to is Iceland. I'm intrigued by the contrast the country offers: geysers and glaciers, ocean and volcanoes, mountains and beaches, northern lights and a climate that constantly changes. Also the Icelandic horses are so beautiful and nature in general is gorgeous. The only thing that I would miss would be tennis courts!
 
Business Administration is a very versatile major allowing for many great opportunities. What has interested you in your studies at UCI thus far? Do you have any long term goals or career aspirations?
Business analytics has greatly interested me in my studies so far. It was one of the first classes I took here at UCI and it makes me eager to keep taking different business classes here in the future. I would say one of my career aspirations is to do Real Estate whether it be my full time job or side job; it has always been something I've been interested in. 
 
Who or what has been your biggest influence to pursuing business administration as a major?
My biggest influence to pursuing a business administration major would have to be my Dad. He owns his own business and it's something that's always been a part of my life so it felt only right to pursue business throughout college.

Outside from sports, what are some hobbies you enjoy?
A few hobbies outside of sports that I enjoy are traveling to different places with my family and experiencing new cultures. Other than that I enjoy hanging out with my friends and trying out new Italian restaurants around the area.

How did you become a fan of hockey? What team do you root for and who is your favorite player?
I became a fan of hockey through my family. We grew up going to hockey games in San Jose and I've followed it ever since. I still root for the San Jose Sharks and my favorite player is Joe Pavelski.

How did you end up having six pets? What animals do you have as pets and what are their names?
My mom has always been a dog/cat lover so our house is filled with pets! I have three dogs and three cats. Our three dogs are named Voodoo, Stanly, and Storm, and our three cats are Nesquik, Jasmine, and Ginger.