Dec. 5, 2012

Aerielle Pendleton is one of three players that will join the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis program next season. She spoke with uwmpanthers.com about her tennis background and why she's coming to UWM.

Talk about your relationship with Coach Sean McInerney
"My relationship with Coach Sean is a very good one - we get along great. That is one of the reasons I decided to go to UWM. He is such a good coach and he really cares about me as a person and how I progress as a student and an athlete. He pushes his players to do better and is really competitive, which is something I really looked for in a coach. I am really impressed by the progress the team has made under his leadership."

Tell us about your game?
I really like to move forward and play offensively. I also like to play doubles. My strongest shot is my forehand and my favorite is my backhand down the line, which gets me a lot of winners. I started playing tennis at age 12 and I had to work really hard to catch up to my peers, who have been playing since they were seven or eight. It feels amazing to see all of my hard work paying off."

What are you hoping to study while at UWM?
"I would like to major in International Relations, with a minor in Psychology. I am interested in global affairs and would like to work for the U.S. government."

What attracted you to the city of Milwaukee?
"I love the city of Milwaukee - it's a great city. There is a lot to do, which is why I wanted to go to school in an urban area. I also like the fact that it is located right off Lake Michigan. Also, Milwaukee has a Cheesecake Factory!"

What are your goals for your freshman year?
"My goals are to continue to work hard to improve my game, play my best every match and to win as many matches as I can. I really want to help our team be number one in our conference, win our conference championship and go on to the NCAA Tournament."