Senior Paty Vega has left her mark on the women’s tennis team over these last four years.
Vega, a Mexico City native, traveled far from home to bring her talents to a small Tennessee town and is number one this year with a singles record of 16-7.
She and her doubles partner, Mami Inoue, lead the team with an amazing record of 19-4.
Vega went 8-3 in the fall and also won the University of Louisville Invitational.
Throughout her four years, the tennis team has made many successful trips to the Southern Conference Tournament.
Vega’s most memorable trip was when the team won second place in the conference with a victory over Chattanooga.
“Tennis is a team sport. You just want everyone to win,” Vega said.
Vega has been more than a player to the team as she helps her fellow team members on and off the court.
“She’s helped me grow up in school and on the court,” said Jessica Irey. “It’s going to be hard next year.”
Vega knows her experiences here would not have been the same without the help of other people.
“The athletic department has been so nice to me,” Vega said. “I have made so many friends from all over the world.”
As an economics major, Vega plans to get her MBA and find a job in he states. Yet she still hopes to find a job that will allow her to move back to Mexico City and be with her family. Graduation will be a sad day for Vega as she says goodbye to all the people who have meant so much her.
She believes that the tennis team will be strong even without her and the other senior player.
“It’s a young team that will soon be so much stronger,” she said.
Without her, the women’ s tennis team will have a big gap to fill as they will have to replace not only a player but also a leader and a friend. She will never forget the people who have done so much for her.
She wants to thank those who have gone out of their way to make her feel at home here at ETSU. “Thank you everyone for the opportunity and for all the people I have met. This is a nice place to be, and these are nice people.

Author