Written by Cheyanne Mumphrey 

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Meet Hailey Rochin, a junior on the Northern Arizona University women's tennis team from Tucson, Ariz. Rochin has followed in her older sister Tatum Rochin's footsteps since she could remember and last year got the unique opportunity to play tennis at the Division I level with her. Before arriving at NAU, Hailey was rated as a five-star recruit and was top five in 12's, 14's 16's and 18's in the Southwest section that included New Mexico, Arizona and El Paso. Rochin is entering her third season as a Lumberjack as she pursues both a degree in Nursing and a Big Sky Championship.

Athletic Communications (AC): How long have you been playing tennis?

Hailey Rochin (HR): I've been playing tennis since I was nine, so for 11 years.

AC: What made you play tennis?

HR: My dad got me involved. He wanted to be a tennis player when he was younger and he took my sister Tatum [Rochin] and I out to a local country club in Texas. I just fell in love with the sport; I thought it was a lot of fun. I tried other sports but I was a ball hog, so tennis was perfect because I got the ball and I could give it away. My dad has definitely been my biggest influence.

AC: Who started playing tennis first, you or your sister?

HR: My sister started playing before me and would bring home trophies, so I decided I had to start. I followed in her footsteps.

AC: What was it like playing with your sister and playing on the same team last year?

HR: Well, she was my captain so it was great. I really looked up to her on and off the court. It strengthened our relationship as sisters and we got closer because I looked up to her in so many ways. It was great playing with her; it was my favorite college year.

AC: Do you have any pre-match rituals?

HR: My spirituality is really important to me, so I pray every time before I play and listen to some awesome music like Taylor Swift. I pray, meditate and just reflect on the school aspect and that I'm playing for NAU.

AC: What is it like knowing you play for NAU and in some ways your home state?

HR: I love being able to go to school where I grew up. I feel a pride in that I get to represent my state through my university. I didn't want to go to school out-of-state and I wanted to be close to home. University of Arizona was too close, literally in the same town, but I loved NAU. It gives me that Northeast feel with the snow, but it's also close enough I can drive home.

AC: How do you feel about ping-pong?

HR: I love ping-pong and I'm so good at it; it is like mini tennis. It's similar to tennis because you can turn your wrist a certain way and create a spin on the ball. It is very fun, you have serves and volleys. Ping-pong is definitely my second favorite sport. Tennis is a lot harder, but ping-pong is just as fun.

AC: What are your goals for your junior year, this season?

HR: I would like to make first team. It is an individual award for how many wins you get in the Big Sky and coaches vote on it. Individually, I would like to play in the top 3 in our team lineup and maybe even become a captain to lead some of the younger girls. Obviously winning the Big Sky conference championship is a huge deal and I would love to do that within the next two years. Our new facility would be great to do that in.

AC: What has been your shortest and longest match?

HR: The shortest matches are probably an hour long and usually are fast if I beat a girl and the weather conditions are good. I think my longest match, that I can remember, was three-and-a-half hours long and I was exhausted. I even had a tournament at regionals that went until the next day because of a rain delay. Those kinds of matches are hard because you have to reset your mind every time, but those matches are the most fun because they get really gritty and you have to be mentally tough.

AC: What do you like better singles or doubles?

HR: I think I like doubles more because you get to have a teammate on the court with you and you can feed off their energy. It is more strategic and a lot more fun. You can get crafty and it becomes more of a team sport.

AC: What is it like playing with international players?

HR: In regard to what it brings to our team, it is incredible and I love playing with foreigners. I love the idea that I learn so much about different cultures and can actually speak a little bit of German and Dutch. I like how they bring a different work ethic and cultural identity to our team; it is really cool and adds spice to our team.

AC: Do you want to play professionally after college?

HR: After college I want to focus on my missionary work, but I'm never going to forget that tennis was a vehicle for my future.