Alexandra “Sasha” Ozerets
Junior, Tennis, Cal Poly
STATS
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Major: Business Admin concentrating in real estate finance
Instagram: 2.2K followers - @sasha.ozerets
Major: Business Admin concentrating in real estate finance
Instagram: 2.2K followers - @sasha.ozerets
INTERVIEW
Proudest Athletic Achievement?
Big West Freshman of the Year and playing high up in the line up to win Big West Conference championship
Big West Freshman of the Year and playing high up in the line up to win Big West Conference championship
How and when did you get started in your current collegiate sport?
I started at 9 years old because my brother played tennis and at the time I copied everything he did. I tried it out and realized I loved it and was talented so I decided to stick with it!!
I started at 9 years old because my brother played tennis and at the time I copied everything he did. I tried it out and realized I loved it and was talented so I decided to stick with it!!
What other sports did you play growing up? Anything memorable about playing many sports?
I was a very competitive rhythmic gymnast and represented the US in international competitions and placed high on my events.
I was a very competitive rhythmic gymnast and represented the US in international competitions and placed high on my events.
What was the biggest challenge you faced on your way to becoming a collegiate athlete?
My biggest challenge I faced was trying to maintain a balance in my life with academics, social as well as my sport. Sacrifices are crucial to compete at such a high level in collegiate sports but I tried to balance as much of everything to be successful in all areas of my life.
My biggest challenge I faced was trying to maintain a balance in my life with academics, social as well as my sport. Sacrifices are crucial to compete at such a high level in collegiate sports but I tried to balance as much of everything to be successful in all areas of my life.
Can you share a breakthrough moment in your early career that shaped your path to today?
I never really had a huge breakthrough moment with tennis. I knew from the beginning that I had a lot of potential and it was always a matter of how far was I willing to go to tap into that. Being successful in junior tournaments was a hint at my future success as well.
I never really had a huge breakthrough moment with tennis. I knew from the beginning that I had a lot of potential and it was always a matter of how far was I willing to go to tap into that. Being successful in junior tournaments was a hint at my future success as well.
How do you maintain your fitness level in the off-season?
I maintain my fitness level off-season very easily. I am a very active person as it is. I love to surf, swim, and go on daily runs constantly on top of tennis training and lifting. Staying fit is more of a hobby and lifestyle than it is a chore in my opinion.
I maintain my fitness level off-season very easily. I am a very active person as it is. I love to surf, swim, and go on daily runs constantly on top of tennis training and lifting. Staying fit is more of a hobby and lifestyle than it is a chore in my opinion.
How do you go about your mental preparation before competing?
My mental preparation before competing is pretty laid back and I try to get myself as relaxed as I can before going to play a match. I need to enter into a focused zone that allows me to play at my highest level and that comes from a place of peace and trust. I also love hyping myself up as well as my team to get us in the competitive zone.
My mental preparation before competing is pretty laid back and I try to get myself as relaxed as I can before going to play a match. I need to enter into a focused zone that allows me to play at my highest level and that comes from a place of peace and trust. I also love hyping myself up as well as my team to get us in the competitive zone.
What has been your most difficult moment while being a student athlete?
The most difficult moment is for sure all the sacrifices you need to make compared to a regular student. Everyday our schedules are packed to the brim with classes, lifts, and practice. But at the same time we must have the proper nutrition to maintain energy and focus throughout the day and keep up our studying to have good grades. Finding the balance and relishing the grind the whole time is the most difficult part.
The most difficult moment is for sure all the sacrifices you need to make compared to a regular student. Everyday our schedules are packed to the brim with classes, lifts, and practice. But at the same time we must have the proper nutrition to maintain energy and focus throughout the day and keep up our studying to have good grades. Finding the balance and relishing the grind the whole time is the most difficult part.
What’s your major and what do you want to do with it post graduation?
My major is business administration and I’m concentrating in real estate finance. I’m not sure what I want to post grad yet, but definitely stay athletic but work in real estate as well.
My major is business administration and I’m concentrating in real estate finance. I’m not sure what I want to post grad yet, but definitely stay athletic but work in real estate as well.
Do you see yourself as a role-model and if so, how do you approach that role?
I like to consider myself a role model. I feel like I’m proud to represent the idea of a student athlete. I am so passionate about my school and tennis that I know some young girls would love to feel the same way.
I like to consider myself a role model. I feel like I’m proud to represent the idea of a student athlete. I am so passionate about my school and tennis that I know some young girls would love to feel the same way.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be an NCAA student athlete?
Embrace and love the grind. Seek perfection but don’t ever be satisfied. And always stay hungry cause you can always improve.
Embrace and love the grind. Seek perfection but don’t ever be satisfied. And always stay hungry cause you can always improve.
Your motto for life?
Seek discomfort and instead of worrying about what you can’t control, focus on what you can create
What is your biggest success?
My biggest success I would say is playing D1 tennis at a dream university, and maintaining great grades in school always.
Seek discomfort and instead of worrying about what you can’t control, focus on what you can create
What is your biggest success?
My biggest success I would say is playing D1 tennis at a dream university, and maintaining great grades in school always.
Favorite places/destinations?
Corsica, France. Portugal. And Kyoto, Japan.
Corsica, France. Portugal. And Kyoto, Japan.
Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to my parents. They are so full of unconditional love and they have done everything for our family, they immigrated from Russia to follow their dream and didn’t stop till they accomplished their goal.
I look up to my parents. They are so full of unconditional love and they have done everything for our family, they immigrated from Russia to follow their dream and didn’t stop till they accomplished their goal.
Current passions outside of sports?
I love to travel, surf, cook, rock climb, and ski
What’s your next big goal to achieve?
Becoming an NCAA All-American and winning the conference championship again
I love to travel, surf, cook, rock climb, and ski
What’s your next big goal to achieve?
Becoming an NCAA All-American and winning the conference championship again
What’s something no one really knows about you?
Russian is my first language, and the ocean is where I feel most at peace
Russian is my first language, and the ocean is where I feel most at peace
What do you do best? And what makes that possible?
I am the most determined and driven person. That’s what I do best, I don’t give up. What makes that possible is my need to become the best version of myself. I love to work and just improve to see progress.
I am the most determined and driven person. That’s what I do best, I don’t give up. What makes that possible is my need to become the best version of myself. I love to work and just improve to see progress.
What has been your favorite NIL partnership?
I haven’t really had many
I haven’t really had many
Why should other student athletes join 98Strong?
It’s an incredible community of likeminded people with the same passions that understand you like no one else does. They celebrate your achievements and inspire you to succeed.
It’s an incredible community of likeminded people with the same passions that understand you like no one else does. They celebrate your achievements and inspire you to succeed.
What has been most rewarding for you in being a part of 98Strong?
The most rewarding part of being in 98strong has been the people I have met and became friends with through the program. Everyone has been so supportive and have genuinely only the best intentions for you. The recognition for all the hard work from over my life has been very rewarding.
The most rewarding part of being in 98strong has been the people I have met and became friends with through the program. Everyone has been so supportive and have genuinely only the best intentions for you. The recognition for all the hard work from over my life has been very rewarding.
GALLERY
Elite98 Student Athletes
6 Top Student Athletes out of over 30,000 within the 98Strong Community
