Katie Zien

Year: Senior
Hometown: West Suffield, Connecticut
High School: Suffield
Major: Economics

Why did you choose Moravian College?
When applying for schools, I had no idea what I wanted to major in. So I looked for small liberal arts schools with a good D3 tennis program. I stumbled upon Moravian after meeting Dawn at a tennis camp over the summer, and it was a perfect fit!

What is your major and why?
 I am an Economics major. I chose economics because I find the business world very interesting. My dad is a financial planner, so I have grown up with it around me and now that I am starting to understand it, I like it even more!

What has been your favorite course at Moravian and why?
My favorite course at Moravian so far has got to be the Computer Science class I took first semester freshman year with Dr. Lang.  My class had six people in it so we got a lot of personal attention when we needed it, and the class was so high energy. I also got to work with programs and concepts I had never heard of before so it was really cool. It can be really fun to take a class outside of your comfort zone.

What are your plans for the future once you finish your degree at Moravian?
I hope to work with my father once I graduate Moravian. He is a Financial Planner and there is so much I can learn from him. I also believe I can bring a different perspective to his practice so I will be able to improve upon what he has created.

What is yourost memorable moment as a Greyhound?
My most memorable moment as a Greyhound was when our team won the Landmark Conference last year after facing so much adversity during the season. We were the definite underdog, and came together as a team to pull out a win. I've never been on a team so encouraging and so driven. My teammates are some of the best people I know.

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
Being a student-athlete is tremendously rewarding and forces you to learn time management, and self- discipline. While playing a sport in college does take up a lot of time both during the week and on the weekends, it helps you to study and do homework when you need to instead of procrastinating for hours. It is beneficial in a completely different way also. Being an athlete keeps you in shape, and being healthy helps me to focus in class, and be in a better mood all around.

What is the hardest part of your sport?
In my opinion, the hardest part of tennis is keeping your head in the game. Since there is no time limit, you can always come back if you are down and so can your opponent. You may lose the first set, but that does not mean you are going to lose the game. That is a very difficult concept to remember when you are tired and losing. Conversely, you have to stay focused if you are winning because if you lighten up even for a moment, your opponent can get right back in the game.

What advice do you have for a prospective Moravian College student-athlete?
Playing a sport in college is not an easy thing to do. The training is harder, the hours are longer, but the reward is ten times better. If you dedicate yourself, you have every resource here at Moravian to improve exponentially. I found tennis to make the transition from high school to college much easier. Since I am from Connecticut, nothing about Moravian reminds me of home. I did not know a single person coming here in the fall, and tennis was one of the few constant between my home life and school life. Having an outlet helps you to meet new people and feel more comfortable at school. I guess my advice would be Moravian has every resource you could want for a D3 program. Work hard, and you will improve.

Favorite:
Color? Yellow!
Food? Popcorn
Restaurant? Friendly's
Movie? Dodgeball
TV Show? Dexter
Musical Artist? Rise Against
Athlete? Andy Murray
Pro Team? Boston Red Sox
Hobbies? Tennis, organizing things, scrap-booking
Most Prized Possession? this is lame, but my scrapbooks. They showcase my friends, family, and accomplishments.
Biggest Fear? Disappointing people.