Harriton’s Nina Hoog is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
Hoog, a sophomore, won the Central League singles tournament for the second year in a row, and helped the Harriton girls’ tennis team capture the PIAA District One team tournament as well. She also plays for the Harriton paddle tennis team. Off the court, she plays tenor sax and clarinet in Harriton’s jazz band and orchestra, and has studied piano for nine years.
Q: You said your best match of the Central League singles tournament was the championship final against Conestoga’s Ashley Griffith, where, after winning the first set, you were down 6-5 and wanted to close out the match and force a tiebreak. What was working particularly well for you in the final?
A: Throughout the match, I felt I held a strong mental game, which especially helped me in the tiebreak of the second set.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you currently working on the most?
A: The strongest part of my game is my ground-strokes. I enjoy hitting from the baseline, particularly my inside-out forehand.
Q: Who are your favorite tennis players? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?
A: My favorite tennis players are Caroline Wozniacki and Aga Radwanska, mostly because they both show great stamina during the longest of matches and Wozniacki in particular shows good sportsmanship under all conditions.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: Before every match, I like to warm up by jumping rope and doing shadow swings.
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the PIAA District One team tourney – can you share it with us?
A: My most vivid memory of the District team tournament is the level of competition that we faced particularly against Henderson and Radnor High School. Everyone gave it their best and I’m happy we pulled it out in the end.
Q: Who have been your top tennis mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from them?
A: My top tennis mentors are Josh and Julia Cohen. I have learned solid technique and game strategy as well as maintaining focus throughout the match.
Q: What is your favorite tennis venue, and why?
A: My favorite tennis venue is the Sony Open in Miami because most of the top-ranked players are in the tournament and it was a great experience being able to watch them up close.
Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly appeals to you?
A: At this time I am undecided on a specific career path, although I do like math and science.
Q: You play several instruments for several Harriton musical groups. What is your favorite performance song?
A: My favorite performance piece is Louis Prima’s Sing Sing Sing, playing jazz clarinet. It is a very upbeat piece from the big band era.
Fun facts – Nina Hoog
