Alabama Women’s Tennis Q&A: Jacqueline Pelletier
2/14/2018 10:33:00 AM | Women's Tennis
RollTide.com will be posting Q&A's of each member on this year's Alabama women's tennis team so fans can get to know the members of our Crimson Tide family. The third Q&A is with Jacqueline Pelletier, a sophomore transfer from St. Mary's. Pelletier has posted a 5-1 mark in singles, while dominating doubles play with an 8-1 record.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
A: Seeing and spending time with my family is by far number one! Secondly in Hilton Head, S.C., we have a lot of bike trails around the island and it's really cool to spot gators near the marshes as long as you don't get too close or you might become lunch!
Q: If you could play tennis with anyone, who would it be?
A: I would play tennis with my brother Beau. It was awesome to be able to warm up with each other if we were at the same tournament. He's a very good player, especially in his creativity in shot selection, and we have really competitive battles (up until he grew taller than me).
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa?
A: Nothing But Noodles. I like that you can add any protein you like to most dishes and they also have spicier options for those brave souls who can handle it.
Q: What is your favorite tennis memory?
A: When I won the state championships for South Carolina. My whole family was there supporting, plus I got to take a picture with the Chick-fil-A Cow!
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Any place with a warm beach and good waves. I grew up near the beach and I have very fond memories of surfing, boogie boarding and building sand castles.
Q: What is your favorite movie and why?
A: Chariots of Fire. It's about two Olympic runners' stories for Great Britain. I loved Eric Liddell's faith in that he ran for something greater than himself.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: To start up a business, possibly a philanthropy, and be a professional tennis player.
Q: Who is your hero and why?
A: Saint Germaine Cousin because she shows how God can work through people in amazing ways if you seek Him.
Q: What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
A: I really enjoy walking across the quad because you have this open space of trees and then surrounding the space are these beautiful brick buildings.
Q: What other sports did you play growing up?
A: I first started swimming because I wanted to go surfing with my dad and he said I could come with him only if I learned how to swim. Then I played water polo, surfed and did Tae Kwon Do.
Q: How old were you when you started playing tennis and how did you get into it?
A: Around 10 years old, and my Aunt Mary, who had played tennis for Cal, talked to my dad about getting my brother and me on the tennis court. Also, my parents would hit and I started off chasing balls. Then, I started a kids clinic and I had a lot of fun playing games.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing for Alabama?
A: I love that as an Alabama student-athlete, our motto is to strive for excellence; but what I am most grateful for as a transfer to play here is the dedication and effort all of our coaching staff puts into helping us athletes be the best we can be. From the people on the grounds crew, our trainer, our fitness coach, our nutritionist, our sports information manager, sports psychologist, academic advisor and our tennis coaches. They all go beyond the call of their job to build the kind of relationships that makes our team a family that I feel will go beyond our playing years.
Q: What is your major and what do you hope to do with it one day?
A: I will be majoring in Business Management and I hope to organize a service that not only people need, but that makes a positive impact on the community I am in.
Q: Describe yourself in three words…
A: Dedicated, Kind, Organized
Q: How many different countries have you traveled to and name a few of your favorites.
A: Bahamas, Mexico, Ecuador, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. When I lived in California, my family would take trips down to a bay in Mexico where we would fish, collect sand dollars and look at the sting rays or jelly fish that washed up on the shore. Also, our family would set up a homemade firework show and we would all sit on the patios to watch it.
Q: If you could play another sport in college, what would it be?
A: Volleyball, I'd love to be at the net to spike and block!
Q: If you can live in a book, TV show or movie what would it be?
A: The Bible. It would be amazing to live in that many time frames, and experience the fulfillment of the Old Testament in the New Testament in the coming of Jesus.
Q: What's your favorite holiday and why?
A: Christmas because we celebrate our savior Jesus's birth, and it's a time when my family comes together.
Q: What would you like to say to the fans?
A: Thank you for all the incredible support, you make it an absolute joy to play.
Q: What superhero would you be or what super power would you have and why?
A: The Flash. Having super-human speed would be awesome to be able to see everything around you in slow motion, and to be a faster than a speeding bullet.
Q: Celebrity crush or favorite actor?
A: Clint Eastwood for favorite actor. I think of the old westerns, especially "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales".
Q: If you could be on any reality TV show, what would it be and why?
A: Duck Dynasty. I love that the people are down to earth and my grandfather hunted ducks. His motto is, "You kill it, you clean it, and eat it." It was simple and made me appreciate and respect what I was given.
Q: What is your favorite food or type of cuisine (i.e. Mexican, Italian, etc.)?
A: My favorite food would have to be frozen yogurt. Every time I travel, I am on the lookout for any frozen yogurt places. If I could live on it I would :)
Q: What actress would most likely play you in a movie?
A: Masey Mclain. She starred in a movie called "I'm Not Ashamed" that I liked.
Q: What are your pre-match rituals?
A: I like to spend some quiet time before the warm-up to visualize my game plan. Then, I'll listen to a few songs and get good pre-match nutrition. Warm-up with my teammates and then I'm ready to compete!
Q: If you can switch places with anyone, who would it be and why?
A: Taya Smith. She is the lead singer of a band called Hillsong. To have a gift of such a beautiful voice and to be able to meet so many people would be amazing.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Tim Tebow because he's not afraid to share his faith publicly and he backs up his talk. I also think it's amazing he went from being a professional football player to pursuing a career as a professional baseball player.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Michael Angelo. He painted the Sistine Chapel and I don't think I have ever seen a painting so incredible.
Q: If you could talk to any animal, what would it be and why?
A: Elephants. Then I could talk to Big Al !
Q: If you could be any cartoon character, who would it be and why?
A: Snoopy in Charlie Brown because I love dogs. He goes outside of the box, he's courageous, he's loyal, multitalented and funny.
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