Alabama
UAB
Alabama Women’s Tennis Senior Moka Ito Excited to Return to Play this Weekend
1/22/2021 1:21:00 PM | Women's Tennis
The Fukushima, Japan, native and her Crimson Tide teammates open dual-match competition this weekend with a Saturday doubleheader vs. UAB and Alabama State
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Now in her fourth year playing in the United States, the thing that Alabama women's tennis senior Moka Ito misses most about her home in Fukushima, Japan, is the food.
"That's the one thing that I really miss about Japan," Ito said. "Especially sushi, which you can get here, but it's not the same."
While she misses her Japanese specialties, she is quite fond of a certain American delicacy, "Chick-fil-A, for sure my favorite is Chick-fil-A."
Her taste in entertainment is a mix of Japanese and American. Jurassic World is her favorite movie while she enjoys reading Manga: Haikyuu. A fan of the Minions, Snoopy and Disney, her favorite vacation spot, Tokyo Disney Resort, combines her love of all things Disney with the comforts of home.
When it comes to tennis, the game she found here in Tuscaloosa enhanced her enjoyment of the sport she has been a part of since she was very young.
"The team atmosphere is great, and I love how we all cheer for each other," Ito said. "Before I first got here, I felt more like just an individual, and now I am more part of the team and it's great."
That team atmosphere plays into her favorite part of the collegiate season, which opens this weekend at Alabama – dual matches.
"I really like how we are all playing matches side by side and cheering each other on as we work together to win," Ito said.
This weekend, Ito and her teammates get the spring season underway with a pair of dual matches on Saturday, Jan. 23, starting with UAB at 11 a.m. CT and Alabama State slated for 4 p.m. CT at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility.
"I'm excited to play this season, and I'm just so grateful to have the opportunity to play," Ito said.
Due to health and safety considerations in addition to the current guidelines, attendance at Alabama tennis home indoor competitions are closed to spectators. Both matches are slated to be streamed live.
Get all the latest information on Alabama women's tennis by following AlabamaWTN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
