Player Profile: Nika DolidzePlayer Profile: Nika Dolidze

Player Profile: Nika Dolidze

Jan. 29, 2014

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Each week throughout the 2014 spring season, we will feature a member of the Penn State men's tennis team in our "Player Profile" series. This week, we feature freshman Nika Dolidze (Tbilisi, Georgia). Dolidze is 10-7 in singles and 3-5 in doubles this year. The Nittany Lions take on #33 Virginia Tech and Cleveland State in a doubleheader this Sunday. Penn State faces the Hokies at 11:00 a.m. and the Vikings at approximately 5 p.m.

Year: Freshman

Major: Business Management

Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia

Siblings: sister, 15 years old

Why did you come to Penn State? I came here because I have heard a lot about how great Penn State was. Balancing athletics with academics, I believe Penn State is the best place one can go.

What are your plans after you graduate? I am undecided what I want to do after graduating. Definitely go back to my country and spend some time with my family for first few months. For now the most important goal is to get good grades.

How long have you been playing tennis? I have been playing since I was 6. I wanted to play soccer like most of the European kids, however; my grandfather convinced me to try out tennis, and I liked it.

Nicknames: none

Pregame rituals/superstitions: Listen to my playlist, change over grips on each racket, and visually analyze and prepare how I should play.

Hobbies: Soccer

Favorite place to eat on campus: Pollock mix

Favorite place to eat off campus: Chipotle

Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite Cartoon Character: Tom & Jerry

Favorite Movie: Scarface

Favorite Actor and Actress: Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie

Favorite sport to play/watch(other than tennis): Soccer, Basketball

Favorite team: Fc Juventus. and also a big fan of the National rugby team of Georgia.

Favorite non-tennis athlete: Lionel Messi

Who is the funniest person on the team? Ramy Labna

What song do you listen to most? Avicci-"Levels"

How do you pass time on road trips? Listening to music and telling stories

What are you most looking forward to this season? To start a new era in the Penn State tennis history, by making NCAA Tournament, as well as finishing at least top 3 in the Big Ten.