April 11, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team will feature a student-athlete every week this spring in attempt to "Meet the Spartans". This week sophomore Katarina Lingl (Rochester Hills, Mich.) sat down with msuspartans.com to answer some questions about her love for baking and why she came to MSU. Lingl has lead the team in singles play this season with a 10-8 record. She has seen action on court four and five and is 6-11 individually in doubles matches.

Name: Katarina Vella Lingl

Nickname and why: Kat because my family has been calling me that since I was born so it stuck with me.

Year in School: Sophomore

Hometown: Rochester Hills, Mich.

Major: Journalism

Best thing about being at MSU: It is a beautiful campus and I am only an hour and a half away from home so my family can visit me easily.

Favorite class: Journalism 203 - visualizing and gathering information

Favorite movie: 50 First Dates

Favorite food: Cheese ravioli

Favorite restaurant: Picanos Italian Grille

Special talent: I can bake any and all kinds of dessert

Famous relatives: Dominic Ciccodicola, movie/show producer

Siblings: I have an older sister, Adriana, who goes to Michigan

What do you want to be when you grow up: Tennis coach

Most exotic place you have traveled to: Canada

Dream vacation spot: Italy

Favorite musician or band: Stevie Wonder

Song that gets you pumped up before a match: The World's Greatest by R. Kelly

Reason you picked MSU: My coach, Paco Trinidad, played tennis for MSU. He inspired me to play for this great school and has supported me the whole way.

Favorite TV show: Cake Boss

If you could play a tennis match against anyone, who would it be and why: James Blake because I read his book and found it very inspirational. He has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

Favorite thing to do besides play tennis: I love to cook

Favorite store to shop: Coach

If you were not playing tennis, what other sport would you be involved with: Ice skating

Favorite spot on campus: The gardens

Favorite pro sport & team: My favorite pro sport is hockey and my favorite pro team is the Detroit Tigers

Favorite match played at MSU: My first dual match as a freshman which was a double header against EMU and Detroit. I won all four of my matches and we won both matches as a team.

Pre-game ritual: I say a prayer to my deceased grandpa, Nonno

Anything else you want the world to know about you: One of my life goals is to own a bakery, I recently started a collection of piggy banks, and Christmas is my favorite time of year!