Catching up with Francesca Fusinato

Senior claims tennis gave her the best years of her life

December 6, 2016

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech women’s tennis team boasts a roster of talented, skilled and interesting student-athletes. In an effort to learn more about their lives on and off the court, HokieSports.com will interview select Virginia Tech women’s tennis players each week.

This week, we sat down with senior Francesca Fusinato.

What differences are there from your hometown to Blacksburg?

Francesca Fusinato: In Italy food come first! There is no food as delicious and tasty as my mom`s, but it gets pretty close when I cook! Italy does not have any chain restaurants. Everything is unique just like the shops and cities. Each place has its own history, dialect and special products grown from the land.

Where are your favorite spots to go on campus?

FF: My favorite spot on campus is the Pylons of Promise because you can see the whole Drillfield there! I also like the duck pond, but I don`t get to go there often.

What got you involved with tennis?

FF: I have been playing since I was three. I liked all sports, but tennis always came first, as my dad used to play and coach. He has been my coach my whole life until I came here.

If you could switch places with another Tech athlete, who would it be?

FF: I have always played basketball, and when I did, I was a playmaker. I’d love to switch roles with Vanessa Panousis because of her extraordinary talent and leadership.

Who do you look up to the most? Why?

FF: I take things here and there, but I used to look up to Carol Kahoun when she played and coached women’s tennis at Tech. There are multiple reasons: the way she approached and talked to people, the way she carried herself, the way she showed unconditional love toward others and the fact that she knew what her values were. She acted accordingly. I could keep going keeping, but I can`t even describe it in words. Sometimes eye contact was enough to express all that had to be said.

How has your time as a Hokie been so far?

FF: It has been wonderful. It’s a great place with awesome people.

With your last season just weeks away, what will you miss the most about Virginia Tech?

FF: I will miss the campus, the community and of course, Game Days!

What has tennis done for you?

FF: It made me smile. It made me cry. it made me scream of joy and anger. It made me go through all and any emotions. It gave me the adrenaline that nothing else in the world could ever give me. It made me sweat, but it also rewarded me. It made me hate it, but never enough to make me stop loving it.

FUSINATO’S QUICK HITTERS:

Favorite team to face: Miami

Favorite memory as a Hokie: Clinching a victory over No. 6-ranked Wagner

Favorite thing to take on a road trip: A hat and sunglasses

Favorite food: Pumpkin gnocchi

Favorite class: Metabolic nutrition

Biggest fear: Removing a splinter

Biggest pet peeve: Going to an Italian-American restaurant and it’s called Italian food

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snap Chat: Instagram

One word teammates use to describe you: Ask them

Who is your celebrity doppelganger? No clue

For more information on Fusinato or any of the players on the 2016-17 roster, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's tennis, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WTennis