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CollegeTennisOnline: Tell us about winning the singles title back in October at the ITA  National Small College Championships? You were able to pull out a really close final against Emory's Serena Burkard. How does that help your outlook for the rest of this season?
Amy Staloch: I really didn’t think about winning the tournament until I was up 5-4 in the third set. Then I started to get really nervous about playing for a national title. I was proud that I could pull out such a close match because I had to stay mentally tough, and that’s something I’ve been working on a lot. For the rest of the season, I just want to play matches and not put pressure on myself from winning this tournament.

CTO: You had to retire from your quarterfinal match at the ITA Regional due to an injury. What was going through your mind when that happened? Did you think you had lost out on any chances to play in the national championships?
AS: I really was just worried about what was wrong with my eyes. (The injury was an eye infection.)

CTO: You had a great freshman season, reaching the NCAA singles semifinals. What was the most difficult adjustment to college tennis for you? What was the easiest adjustment to make?
AS: What made adjusting to college tennis easy were my team and coach. All the girls were really close, supporting each other on the court, and having fun off the court. Also, my coach, Andy Girard, is easy going and helps us in any way he can.

CTO: Carnegie Mellon has a great academic reputation. How did you come to decide you wanted to go there? What do you like best about the university, Pittsburgh?
AS: I wanted to play at Carnegie Mellon because I knew I could get a great education at a small school in a bigger city than my hometown, Midland. What I like best about Carnegie Mellon is the people I’ve met, and the opportunities to get involved. We don’t get off campus that much but when we do, we go to eat and go shopping. I enjoy the Steelers, too. :-)

CTO: What do you like to do in your free time away from the court, away from school?
AS: I like to spend time with my friends and go to sporting events.

CTO: Do you have a favorite band/musician? Favorite TV show? Favorite movie?
AS: Band: Dave Matthews Band. TV show: Friends. My friends and I watch it way too much. Movie: A lot of them

CTO: What's your major, your plans after college?
AS: Chemical Engineering. I want to work for a chemical company.