ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: YUKI SUGIYAMA

In her first year on the Portland State women’s tennis team, international student Yuki Sugiyama is poised to reach a milestone that no female Viking has for 13 years: the elusive 10th win.

Originally from Sapporo, Japan, Sugiyama holds a 9-2 overall record in singles play and is on pace to be PSU’s first women’s tennis player since 1998 to break the double-digit mark in singles wins.

Sugiyama transferred to PSU in 2009 from her home in Sapporo—Portland’s oldest sister city—but due to international transfer rules, she could not play for the green-and-black until this season.

Once she was able to take the court, though, she did not waste any time in making her mark. Sugiyama has the best winning percentage in the Big Sky Conference for players with at least two decisions, and she has more wins at Line No. 1 of singles play than any other player in the league.

The last Viking to break the 10-win barrier was Leinani McAneney, who went 12-5 on her way to being named a First Team All-Big Sky selection in 1998. With six matches left to play in this season, Sugiyama has an opportunity to eclipse that mark in her debut year.

After Wednesday’s tennis practice, Sugiyama was kind enough to speak with the Vanguard and tell us a little about herself.

Vanguard: What has been your favorite moment on the tennis court since you’ve arrived at PSU?

Yuki Sugiyama:I have two. One was when we won our conference match against Northern Colorado last month. Some of us got a little emotional after we won.

The other was in my last match, on Sunday. I won the first set 6-1 and then lost the second. I was losing confidence, but Jay [head coach Jay Sterling] told me to have some fun. After that, I just tried to relax and have fun—and then I played well [and won the third set.] It was a very impressive match for me.

V: If you could change any rule in tennis, what would it be?

YS:The challenge system, so we could have it like they do in professional matches and tournaments. So, after I hit a ball that the judge calls out and I think is in, I would be able to ask for a challenge from the main judge. At the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, they have video. That would be nice.

V: What’s your greatest strength?

YS:I think I’m good at controlling my mental game. I try to avoid getting frustrated and I try to be positive. For me, it’s scary when I think about the whole match. It’s very long and I have to get two sets, and that maybe takes two hours. So, I just try to get one point at a time.

V: Which is your favorite place to eat around campus?

YS:I like Sushi Land downtown.

V: What is your favorite thing to do around Portland?

YS:Just hanging out with my friends. I like cooking, and in Japan it’s not common to have potluck parties, so I didn’t know about [them]. I like potluck parties.

V: What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?

YS:Right now? I would donate it to help in Japan.

V: Do you have any hidden talents?

YS:I’m good at takeuma, the bamboo stilts we have in Japan.

V: Do you have any nicknames?

YS:Some of my teammates call me Yukes. Others call me Yuke-ster, but I don’t really get that one.

V: What is the last thing you cooked?

YS:I cooked Japanese vegetable soup two days ago. It was good.

V: If you could any concert or sporting event anywhere, what would it be?

YS:I want to go to a tennis Grand Slam tournament.

V: What has been your favorite class at Portland State?

YS:I liked Film and Health in the fall term. We watched a movie every class that was related to health problems. So, I got a chance to learn about public health issues and watch movies like “Erin Brockovich,” “A Beautiful Mind” and “Godzilla.” They were fun movies and I really enjoyed it.

V: What is on your mp3 player right now?

YS:“Low” by Flo Rida.

V: If you could have dinner with three people of your choosing, who would they be?

YS:Tennis players Kim Clijsters, Martina Hingis and Roger Federer.

V: What song would you be most likely to sing at karaoke?

YS:I’d probably sing something by the Backstreet Boys because it would be easy. Something like “Everybody.”

V: What was the last book you read?

YS:“Cosmicomics” by Italo Calvino; it’s an interesting story. I used it for a writing class last term.

V: Do you have any favorite superheroes?

YS:I like the “Spiderman” movies. I’ve watched them all—a lot.

V: Thank you, Yuki. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

YS:I just want to say thank you to my parents and my coach for supporting me.

—This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.