By Jenna J. Campbell
UW-River Falls Sports Information

UW-River Falls tennis player Amber Weissinger can be given many titles.
She is the Falcons No. 3 singles player, the team's co-captain, a daughter, an aunt, a godmother, a sister, a student, and a friend.

With many activities going on in her life, when does she have time to do everything she enjoys?

She makes time to do the things that she loves. Some of her hobbies include running, roller blading, or basically anything that is physically active. She loves spending time with friends and her family - parents Karen and Al, brother Corey and her sister Pam.

Weissinger, a senior from Eau Claire, also has a niece/god-daughter and says, "she's my favorite person in the world right now."

She also said that her mother, Karen, is her role model and her backbone in everything that she does. Without her Mom she wouldn't be where she is today. "The support she shows me, on and off the court, has helped me to succeed." Weissinger also describes her brother and sister as parental figures. She says, "they've always been so supportive."

She is currently in her fourth year at UWRF. She is double majoring in marketing communication and business administration. She will be graduating in the spring of 2006. After graduation, she wants to work in the corporate world. She ideally wants a job where she can travel, live in a big city, and put promotions together for advertisement.

She says she has enjoyed all of her years in college and has gained many fond memories.

The one memory that sticks out to her the most is the summer she spent taking classes at UC-Santa Barbara. "It was a time for me to go and be an individual, and learn so much about myself."

Weissinger has been playing tennis on and off since third grade. She joined her middle school team and has been playing competitively ever since. "Playing doubles with one of my closest friends, Alison Campbell, is by far my greatest high school memory. It made us grow so close," said the Eau Claire North High School graduate.

She is now in her fourth and final tennis season for the Falcons and is currently playing No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles with Jen Kersten.

She raves about the unity of this year's Falcon team. The team members care about each other which is enlightening, she said The Falcons are having a great start to the season. UWRF is currently 5-1; the only loss was against UW-Whitewater, 8-1. Weissinger and doubles partner Kersten scored the only team point in the match with an 8-6 win.

"I am most proud of myself for the goals that I achieve, or the goals that I have set and are in the process of achieving," Weissinger states.

Not only does she set life goals she also sets goals for her tennis season. This fall her individual goals are to have a winning season and to perform to the best of her ability. Another goal she has set for herself is not to get down mentally. At the WIAC tournament in October, Weissinger would like to medal in singles and be in the top two spots for doubles.

A goal that she hopes the team can achieve is to beat one of the three elite teams in the conference, which include UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and Whitewater.

When looking at her past tennis seasons at UWRF, she states that her best memory would have to be her teammates. "Each person has effected my life in some way or another."

She also went on to say that Falcon Coach Lee Lueck also has played a huge part in her great experience at UWRF. "Lee Lueck is the single best coach I've ever had in my entire life. Lee is the nicest person I have ever had to deal with. He has so much compassion and is very understanding. Lee is the most non-threatening authoritative figure; I've always felt comfortable going to him with any problem. This just makes tennis that more enjoyable."

"Amber's been a good team leader, very sociable, personable and likeable. She keeps the camaraderie and the spirit of the team up; she is a good co-captain," said Lueck. He also said something that has always impressed him is the good physical shape Weissinger is always in. "She has won some matches she wouldn't have without it; it gave her a good edge."

Lueck went on to say, "Amber is very mentally tough; unwilling to give in without a fight. Amber fights for every point, her attitude is great."