Summer meet and greet :: Laurence Pelchat
7/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
July 23, 2014
Over the course of five weeks, GoGriz.com is introducing you first to three incoming players, then five returning players who will make up the 2014-15 Montana women's tennis team. Today: Laurence Pelchat of Repentigny, Quebec.
Pelchat, the third member, along with Sasha Carter and Precious Gbadamosi, of the group that came in as freshmen in 2011-12 and have helped turn Montana into one of the top programs in the Big Sky Conference, wasted little time making a name for herself in the league.
She was a first-team All-Big Sky selection as a freshman and was second team last spring as a junior when she went 8-1 in singles and 8-1 in doubles as the Grizzlies went 9-0 in conference matches and won their first Big Sky championship.
Pelchat has three times received ITA Mountain Region doubles rankings, is a three-time Academic All-Big Sky Conference selection and was named an ITA Scholar Athlete as a freshman in 2012.
She has career records of 68-36 in singles and 64-39 in doubles.
"From day one Laurence has brought leadership and a fierce, competitive drive to the team, and she always seems to be in the mix during our biggest wins. At those times, when the pressure is on, she rises to the moment and plays more focused," says UM coach Steve Ascher.
"Whether it's working with her partner to win a crucial doubles point in a 4-3 victory or pulling out a tough three-set match against one of the opponent's best players, we know Laurence is going to leave her heart and soul on the court.
"That's important for all of her teammates to know, that they are going to be there for each other when the moments arise that decide greatness. Laurence has brought that understanding to our team."
Hometown: St-Sauveur, but I currently live in Repentigny, Quebec
Siblings: I have one older sister; she is 24 years old and awesome
Favorite pro tennis player: I grew up watching Justine Henin play, so I would have to go with her. She had the greatest one-handed backhand!
Favorite female pro athlete: I have to pick Genie Bouchard because we are both French-Canadians!
Favorite male pro athlete: Federer
Favorite sport other than tennis: Hockey
Favorite movie: I love Coach Carter and The Blind Side
Favorite TV show: I watch too many different TV shows and love them all, but Grey's Anatomy will always be my favorite
Favorite band or musician: Hard to say, I like pretty much everything
Favorite book: I don't really read, but I like puzzles
Favorite food: Pizza
The best place you have visited: We get to travel a lot with the team, but Montana is pretty amazing. Glacier Park is spectacular!
The place you would like to visit: I really want to go to Australia and Spain
Three words that best describe you: Loyal, outgoing, playful
What you wanted to grow up to be when you were a child: I wasn't one of those kids who had dreams about becoming a doctor or an astronaut, I simply thought I was going to figure it out one day!
What you want to be when you graduate college: I want to start by traveling a little and enjoying life, then I would eventually love to manage a company or start my own business
Summer or winter: Summer, but I still don't like when it gets too hot
Morning or night: Night
Introvert or extrovert: Extrovert
Dancing or singing: I am terrible at both, so neither
Cats or dogs: Dogs all the way
Call or text: Both
PC or Mac: Mac
Ice cream or frozen yogurt: Ice cream!
Spicy or mild: I am slowly getting used to spicy things, and I like it!
Clay, grass or hard court: Clay
Country you would like to win the World Cup: Belgium
Country you think will win the World Cup: I really want Belgium to win, but Germany has a great team!
Players Mentioned
