Junior Transfer Adela Aprodu Juggles Tennis and Academics
4/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 8, 2010
PITTSBURGH - This year marked a milestone for hockey player Sydney Crosby when 27.6 million people tuned in to watch the 2010 Winter Olympics men's hockey final in which Crosby scored the winning goal. Unable to contribute to the record-breaking number was Pitt women's tennis player and fellow Canadian Adela Aprodu.
"I tried very hard to follow each of Canada's games, and even though I did not watch the gold medal game, I did have a play-by-play from my dad and sister while on the bus ride back from a match."
Aprodu, a die hard hockey fan, transferred to Pitt in 2008 to join the women's tennis team. After one season she made her mark, helping Pitt win its first round match in the Big East Championship for the first time in program history. In addition to her first year feats on the court, she highlights the student in student-athlete, taking on a heavy course load while maintaining excellence in the grade book.
Originally from Romania, Aprodu moved to Canada with her family at the age of nine. She was astounded by Canada and how alien and new everything was, especially coming from a less wealthy country.
"The transition was very smooth because of how close my mom, dad, sister and I are," said Aprodu. "We were there for each other and we stuck through the highs and lows. Ultimately, it is my parents that I am very grateful towards for having the courage to move to Canada and provide an amazing life for my sister and I."
A true team player, Aprodu treats the team like a second family, especially when the match is on the line. On two occasions last season, Aprodu held fast in the tie-breaking match, giving her team the win over Big East rivals West Virginia and Cincinnati. The Cincinnati win coming in the first round of the Big East Championship.
"She's one of those people that make you smile," said teammate Elizabeth Adams. "She's always the teammate that's the first to tell you `great shot' or ask you how a test went. She genuinely cares."
Aprodu came to Pitt after transferring from Drake University. After a year at Drake, Aprodu was ready for a change and found it in the Steel City, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Though she says it wasn't a deciding factor, the Pens are one of her favorite teams to watch.
Pulling her work ethic from some of her favorite hockey players like Wayne Gretzky, Aprodu takes on a large courseload each semester. In addition to her tennis responsibilities, she is currently taking on 21 credits and it's certainly not her first semester doing so.
"First of all, I love what I do. I love going to class, and I love playing tennis. For me those two things are not burdens, but pleasures. Second of all, I only take 21 credits and play tennis at the same time because I know that I can give 110% to each; otherwise I would not pursue such a schedule."
If 21 credits weren't achieving enough, tack on Aprodu's long list of majors. She's working towards three majors while competing at the Division I level; Media and Professional Communications, Administrative Justice and Health Services.
"I decided on a triple major because I loved the courses offered for each major and because all three majors intertwine and will help me in both law school and in deciding on the type of lawyer I want to become."
With a strong one-handed backhand and aggressive style of play, the transition to a court room should be an easy one for her. Modeling athletes like Crosby, Aprodu has always known how to use hard work and determination to accomplish both her goals in life and on the tennis court.
Head Coach George Dieffenbach appreciates her love of academic success and her contribution towards the team goal of winning the highest team GPA award. The award is given every year to the team with the highest overall GPA and it is something the team works hard towards.
"She's a player who's a good student, a student of the game and a player who can play the whole court," says Dieffenbach.
With Canada's monumental Olympic gold medal victory still fresh in her mind and heart, the team Canada desktop picture on her computer isn't changing anytime soon as she gets ready to complete her junior year as a stand-out student-athlete here at Pitt.