Welcome back Royals’ sports fans to Royal Talk, our Q & A interview with a Warner student athlete. This week we chatted with Morgan Bromley of the women’s tennis team led by first year head coach Bernie Weiss.
Bromley is a senior from Casper, Wyoming and is a three sport athlete at Warner University playing soccer, golf and tennis. She came to Warner by way of the University of Oklahoma when a spring break trip to the sunshine state opened her eyes to the Florida culture. Majoring in Marketing, Bromley will graduate this May and spend the next year in Africa doing mission work and volunteering at local shelters. Here is more of our interview with Morgan Bromley:
1) How long have you been playing tennis? What do you like about it?
I started playing tennis my junior year of high school as a way to stay in shape for soccer. It has always been an activity I do for fun, and that’s what I like best about playing tennis. Unlike soccer, there is less pressure and it is a more relaxed and fun environment.
2) How have you adapted to Coach Bernie Weiss and the tennis program in general?
Coach Weiss is very knowledgeable about the game, and we are fortunate to have him as a coach. His style of play and coaching methods are different than anything we are used to, and at times, it has been a difficult transition, although the change has already proven successful throughout our team.
3) Looking back at your first year of college, what are some of the things you’ve learned (Sport related)?
Wow, that was a long time ago. Throughout my college athletics, I have learned that playing at this level is very different then playing in high school. I think in college you don’t play a sport because you love it anymore, you play it because it’s part of who you are, and because you respect the game.
4) Have there been any funny moments for you in practice?
Every time Kelley gets hits with the ball, and Bernie’s stories.
5) What are your goals for this upcoming season?
The tennis program at Warner has never won a match as a team, and our goal as a team is to change that, to make Warner tennis history. And of course, we want to beat Webber!
6) Your first match of the season is tomorrow, Feb. 4, against Ave Maria. Do you have any nerves before a match? How do you prepare for a match?
There are definitely nerves, but mostly excitement. We have a new coach, a new team, and a lot of talent this year. We will probably prepare by having a team breakfast, then a sing-a-long to some Miley (Cyrus), followed by some break-dancing.
7) Can you draw any comparisons between training for soccer and training for tennis?
Training for soccer is intense. It’s very hard work, all year around, with many weeks where we don’t get to touch a soccer ball. Your body has to be very strong physically for soccer. In tennis, there is much less conditioning, and practicing techniques is more important than physical strength.
8) Describe your feelings on being named team co-captain?
It is an honor to be a team leader. It is the last year for Julia Valentine and I, and it is the last sports season of our college career, so we we’re both happy to fill that role.
9) How would you describe your athletic experience here at Warner?
Crazy, exciting and memorable. Each sport I play is very different from the other, and I have enjoyed the different groups of people and experiences I have had on each team. Tara Fadenrecht has been my mate for tennis and soccer throughout my Warner career, and people like her make the experiences so much better.
10) If you could do it over again, what would you do differently as a freshman entering college and playing a sport?
I would have played tennis instead of softball at my first college and taken my soccer game more seriously and been more dedicated.
11) What’s your most memorable moment so far?
I believe it’s going to be winning our first match tomorrow and making history!