Q&A: Anna Chiacchia
CORTLAND, N.Y. - This week's State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Q&A is with the PrestoSports Women's Tennis Singles and Doubles Athlete of the Week, Anna Chiacchia (Hamburg, N.Y.).
Fredonia's No. 1 singles player senior Chiacchia won both of her conference matches last week to improve to 10-1 this season and 37-12 as a collegian. She needs one more singles win to tie for the most singles win in the program since 1999.
Anna and her sister Jane went 3-0 as Fredonia's No. 1 doubles team last week. They were 8-0 winners vs. D'Youville, 8-4 vs. Cortland, and 8-0 vs. Oswego. Together they are 5-2 this season while separately Anna is 9-2 and Jane 8-2 in doubles competition in 2019. Their doubles win Friday vs. Cortland was the 31st as a collegian for Anna, most by a Blue Devil dating back to 1999.
Anna Chiacchia
School: Fredonia
Sport: Women's Tennis
Position: No. 1 Singles/No. 1 Doubles
Year: Senior
1-Do you have a hidden or special talent?
I don't know if it's a talent, but whenever I try to point straight my fingers naturally curl and point up like they're broken or something so I guess my fingers are double jointed, hopefully.
2-Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
I always have to have my hair braided into two dutch braids before every tennis match and basketball game with pink ponytail holders. I also get very particular about putting on my socks and shoes before a match or game too. I have to put my right sock on and then my left and the seam has to be perfectly lined up across my foot and my socks fully taught and pulled up all the way. Then my right shoe and my left and I will even keep retying them so that they feel just right. I also eat a little snack before stepping out onto the court too; either a granola bar, trail mix, applesauce, or crackers.
3-What's your favorite memory since competing for your institution?
When we upset Oneonta in the first game of SUNYAC playoffs in basketball last season to make it to the semifinals.
4-If you could have one song play every time you score/get a hit/win a race what would it be?
Well before any match or game I do love to listen to Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder so either that or any Stevie Wonder song honestly would be great if it could play every time I hit a winner or made a basket.
5-If you were stranded on an island, who would you want to be there with you, and why?
My dad because people would probably actually notice he's gone and be concerned and come looking for him so hopefully we will be saved faster. Plus, he is smart, inventive and knows a lot about a lot of different topics so I think he would be able to survive pretty well on an island.
6-What is your spirit animal?
I think my spirit animal is a bunny because I am constantly moving and bouncing all over the place plus I would like to think I'm cute.
7-What's the best advice anyone has given you?
The best advice I have ever gotten was from my dad. He is a lawyer and he once told me, "I am not the best lawyer, I am not the smartest, I am not the most skilled, but that doesn't mean I can't work the hardest. You don't need to be the best or most skilled to outwork everyone. Don't get lazy. Always work hard, you have no excuse not to."
8-What are some things you do to prepare for a game mentally?
I always tell myself before and during the game, "You got this. Breathe. Just work hard and hustle no matter what and things will start going your way even if you start off with having an off day, just don't stop." And that's just what I constantly tell myself before and during any tennis match or basketball game to kind of keep myself focused.
9-Do you have a motto you live by or say to yourself on occasion?
Everything happens for a reason; it will all work out eventually. I say that to myself a lot especially when I'm stressed or upset about something, I just have to keep doing what I know I am supposed to do and power through, and trust that everything will work out for the best in the end and I have to say that so far it does.
10-If you could pick one person in the entire world to be a spectator at all of your games who would it be and why?
I really can't choose which one, but my parents. They have always been my #1 supporters and there for me no matter what. They both are very busy people being business owners and parents to four kids and I don't know how they did it all, but they still have managed to make it to almost all of my matches and games or will at least watch the live stream if they can't make it. They always keep every article of me from every paper I have been in and keep track of all of my stats and are fully invested in everything I do. Plus, I hold their opinions higher than anyone else's and always look forward to seeing them at my games and matches.
