10 Questions With ... Shayee Sherif -- Women's Tennis

This week is Tennis Week and we begin with a 10 Questions feature with sophomore standout Shayee Sherif. In 2019 Sherif helped lead the Pirates to an undefeated season (22-0) and a CCCAA team state championship. Sherif also made it to the state finals in singles play and the state semifinals in doubles play at the CCCAA State Tournament.

1. Do you remember when you first started playing tennis? What is it about the sport you love so much? And … tell us how you made it here to OCC??

"When I was a little kid, my dad taught my older sister and me and I fell in love with it. I've been competing since I was six and I've been playing ever since. As far as coming to OCC, I wasn't sure where I was going to go out of high school. I went to a charter school in San Diego so I came up to OCC and met Chris and toured the campus. I was thinking about going to other schools, but I ended up at OCC!"

2. You have a special connection to OCC after helping the Pirates win a cluster of state championships back in 2019. That year, Coast won the team championship as well as the singles AND doubles titles. Tell me what that experience was like and how excited are you to get back on the court for 2021?

"That season as just amazing. For sure, Ojai was my favorite part of the season. I was able to have some of my best matches at that event. We had an all-OCC singles final and we nearly had an all-OCC doubles final as well. All of the hard work from the entire season was paying off. In the semifinals, I was so tired from the previous match so I wasn't overthinking. I just played relaxed and confident and has some momentum from the previous matches. I was just so happy to make the finals and to play against (fellow OCC teammate Miri Inoue) was a lot of fun."

3. How has it been playing for Chris? He comes off as such an annoyingly nice guy. Is that how he is as a coach as well? What have you learned from him during your time at OCC?

"It's true … he's never gotten mad! But, he still works hard to prepare for our matches. He's really organized and he does a really good job motivating us for each match. He lets us play against the guys and that's been very helpful for me because I play a more of a power-type of game. It helps to play against people with more spin style. Against the girls, it's more of a one-game style."

4. What has it been like during this pandemic and what have you been able to do to stay sharp as we head towards the 2021 season?

"The tennis club where I usually train was closed for the first two months and it was hard to find courts to practice, so I've been playing against my siblings and Dad. I'm hoping to get some more practice and to continue on my fitness before the season starts in the spring."

5. OK … fun tennis question for you … so if I gave you an opportunity to play anyone you want in the history of tennis … male or female … who would it be?? And … what venue would you want to play this person at? 

"For me, I'd love to play Serena Williams because of the way she rips the ball and I'd definitely want to play on the stadium court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. I love the energy of that venue!"

6. If I gave you a 24-hour pass from COVID and you could do anything that you used to do, what would it be?? What do you miss the most from this isolation??

"It would be traveling. I got to go to Australia and I would love to go back!" 

7. All kids like to eat … what are your favorite meals??
   1. Favorite food in general – "Mexican food … love it."
   2. Favorite pre-match snack – "The day before a batch, I like to eat pasta. Right before a match, something light, like a smoothie or a snack."
   3. Favorite post-match meal – "I like to eat a cheeseburger after a match."
8. When you're not playing tennis, what do you enjoy doing?? Any hobbies or interests???

"I love shopping … it's kind of a problem. I also like to paint and do yoga."

9. In the COVID world, we've all been binge-watching TV shows. What have you been watching during this isolation time?

"Honestly, I'm not too much of a TV watcher. I'm more of a TikTok fan."

10. What are some of your plans after OCC?? Perhaps a career beyond tennis??

"Hope to keep playing tennis for as long as I can. After OCC, I'd like to transfer to a four-year school in the state – maybe UC Irvine or Concordia. After tennis, I'd like to become a tennis coach!"