The Emory Senior Spotlight Series continues with a look with current women's tennis student-athlete Sasha Hartje.
Name: Sasha Hartje
Hometown (HS): Bloomfield Hills, MI (Detroit Country Day School)
Sport: Women's Tennis
Major: Sociology
** How did you start getting involved with tennis? How old were you when you started playing?
I got started with tennis because of my mom. My mom was a tennis player at Harvard University and for as far back as I remember I just wanted to be like her and found inspiration in that. I was 5 years old when I finally grabbed a racket and got to work.
** Do you have any current plans for after graduation?
I am currently planning on getting my MBA and playing ice hockey as a grad student next year at Long Island University.
** What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?
One piece of advice I would give to my freshman self is to meet as many people as possible and to live in the moment.
** Which Emory faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
My coach Amy Bryant has made the greatest impact on me during my college career because she is so much more than a coach on the court. She cares about me as more than just a player and has been like a mother figure for me when I feel so far away from mine.
** What is one class would you retake just for fun and why?
One class I would retake just for fun is the Sociology of Happiness because it was my favorite and most applicable class I have taken. There is a lot more to happiness than meets the eye.
** What is the most unique thing about your hometown?
The most unique thing about my hometown, Detroit, is that we are dubbed as "Motor City" and are known for our "Motown Music".
** What is something that people may not know about you but should?
Something that people don't know about me but should is that my dad was the first American player to ever play hockey in the Soviet Union before turning pro and that is how I got my name: Alexa "Sasha" Hartje.
** Other than tennis, what is another sport you think you could play at a high level?
Other than tennis, another sport I know I can play at a high level is ice hockey. You can catch me on the ice next year ��
** What is one professional athlete (past or present) would you like to have a conversation with and why?
A professional athlete that I could love to have a conversation with is Serena WIlliams. I think she is one of the toughest, fiercest, and greatest athletes of all time and to get even an ounce of wisdom from her would be a dream.
** How have you been trying to occupy your time with given the current COVID environment?
I have been occupying myself with lots of friends and family. There have been many puzzles built and many board games played.
** Food you hate that everybody else seems to enjoy?
A food I hate that everyone else seems to enjoy is tacos. I don't actually hate them but I certainly wouldn't pick them at a restaurant.
** What would you say are your top three television shows of all time?
My top three tv shows would be The Challenge, Gossip Girl, and Entourage. This was probably the hardest question because I have seen pretty much every show out there multiple times.
** What is your favorite thing to do around Atlanta?
My favorite thing to do around Atlanta is explore new restaurants and venues. There are so many different parts of Atlanta and so many different amazing places to discover.
** What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?
My favorite Atlanta restaurant would have to be Hawkers but there are so many to choose from.
** What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?
My most memorable moment during competition while being an Eagle would either be competing in the NCAA Outdoor National Championship Match or winning NCAA Indoor National Championships my freshman and sophomore years.
** Favorite non-athletic moment from your past few years at Emory?
My favorite non-athletic moment from my past few years at Emory would have to be joining Kappa Alpha Theta. So many of my friends have come out of joining this organization and I am so grateful for that.
** Favorite team activity or tradition?
My favorite team activity is traveling together. There is something just so special and unique about competing on the road together and bonding in our hotel.
** What would be one thing you'd like to impart to the underclassmen before finishing your career?
One thing I would like to impart to the upperclassman before finishing my career would be to embrace the opportunity that is placed in front of you. Never walk away from a practice or match knowing you could have given more effort, but also, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just have some fun and the people/memories you will make along the way will make every moment worth it.