Northwestern University Athletics
Meet the 'Cats: Manon Peri
3/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Each week, NUSports.com will bring you an interview with a member of the Northwestern women's tennis team to allow fans a chance to get to know the individuals who make up the 16-time defending Big Ten champion Northwestern Wildcats.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- This week's Meet the `Cats feature focuses on sophomore Manon Peri. The Los Angeles, Calif. native had a dominant freshman season and was headed for more of the same this year before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
A season ago, Peri put together a 22-9 overall record with a 13-6 mark in dual matches. She was 9-1 in the Big Ten and played in the third, fourth and sixth singles spots for Northwestern. Peri played only three full dual matches this season before her injury.
Peri ended her freshman campaign by winning 11 of the final 13 regular-season matches. She won the final five in straight sets with no opponent scoring more than four points in any set.
Head coach Claire Pollard said of Peri, "She has the biggest weapon on the team and once she gets healthy, watch out college tennis."
Mo displays the flair, repertoire and temperament of the French despite her American upbringing."
Q: Describe your recruiting process and how you ended up playing at Northwestern.
A: I had a pretty good summer in between my junior and senior years of high school. Claire contacted me and flew out a couple of times to watch me play at some tournaments and at home. After talking to her for about three months, Claire offered me an opportunity I could not turn down. It was always a dream to play college tennis and she gave me the chance to play on a top team and compete at the highest level.
Q: What advice do you have for kids wanting to play college tennis?
A: Just have fun. You are young and this is a chance to do something you love as your job. Coming off a season-ending injury, I will not be able to play the sport I love for several months. I want them to be able to say they had fun and enjoyed every second of it because you never know when it might not be there anymore.
Q: What is the best concert you have ever attended?
A: I think the best concert I have ever attended was Coachella 2012. There were so many great bands but the best part was the last performance by Snoop Dogg when he brought out 2Pac and Biggie in hologram form. It was an awesome experience, definitely one that I will remember forever.
Q: What is your favorite place to visit?
A: My favorite place to visit is my grandparent's house in the south of France. They live in a suburb of Marseille called Cassis. It is the prettiest place I have ever been to and so much fun. It is right on the Mediterranean Sea and is a cute beach town where a lot of my family lives.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My favorite food would have to be chocolate fudge brownie ice cream from Ben and Jerry's. The best part is finding the chunks of brownies hidden in the ice cream.
