Upcoming Event: Women's Tennis at Bryant Invitational on September 13, 2025
Women's Tennis
at Bryant Invitational
Providence College Athletics
Catching Up With Women's Tennis Seniors Aidan Epstein and Natalie Pitocco
7/1/2020 11:26:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Women's Tennis seniors Aidan Epstein and Natalie Pitocco reflect on their four years in Friartown.
Your senior year was cut short due to the global pandemic. Can you talk about what the past few months have been like for you and how you have spent your time?
Epstein: I was lucky to have had the chance to say in Naples, Florida with a fellow teammate (Mimi Dailey). We spent over a month there continuing classes, playing tennis and working out. I then went to move out of my house off campus at Providence where I stayed for the next month and finished school. Lastly, I moved into a studio in Providence to start work.
Pitocco: These past few months, after getting home from spring break, have been difficult but gave me the time to reflect on the past four years and appreciate the time I did have with my teammates. It was hard to not be around teammates, coaches, and friends, when you are used to seeing and talking with them every day. So, for the remainder of the semester, we focused on communicating through Zoom meetings and keeping the bond that we had strengthened over the fall semester and into spring break. Since I had so much more free time on my hands, I did get myself into a new routine (something that would remind me of student-athlete life) and found myself doing new things that I did not have the time for at school. Finally, I had the chance to think about all of the good memories that I will take with me, from Friartown, after graduation.
Coach Klaeson arrived during your freshman year, can you elaborate on the impact he has made on you as a tennis student-athlete?
Epstein: He impacted the tennis team immensely. He made the program more serious, legitimate, cohesive and fun. For me personally, he gave me a chance to become a leader and test myself athletically and mentally. I was always able to stay organized in school, so he was able to push me physically and in leadership roles which have made me a better person.
Pitocco: Coach Klaeson made a huge impact on not only my tenni,s but my outlook on life off the court. Each day, Coach was there to remind us that we had the chance to be better than the day before and that putting in extra work, even when it was difficult, would put us in the position to dominate other teams and get ourselves ahead in life. The standards that Coach held the team to made us a better team, better athletes and better people. He always told us to make the most of each second we had with each other on and off the court because that time was limited. The senior class was able to witness this firsthand, as our season was cut short. On the court was all about learning to improve ourselves and our teammates. Coach always referred to our four years as an "educational journey" and I could attest to the fact that I have learned so much about the game of tennis. From preparation to technique, mindset, strategy, and recovery, Coach honed these skills and taught me more than I could have imagined.Â
What has the experience been like over the past four years to see your program evolve, as well as see the transformation on campus with several new athletic and academic facilities?
Epstein: The program is night and day from when I arrived freshman year. It is much more serious, but still has the personalities that make everyday fun. From the gear to the schedule to the accountability every player has, there is something very different in the air now.
Pitocco: My experience from freshman year to senior year is like night and day. The changes that have happened on campus, with the new Ruane Development Center, are unbelievable and the resources that we were able to use, benefited our team in many ways. As far as the tennis program, it is safe to say that it has evolved for the better. The team has strengthened on all levels and the future success of the program is exciting to think about. It is rewarding to have been a part of this transformation. I am also extremely thankful that I had the opportunity to use these facilities on a daily basis and I greatly appreciate the initiatives of the Athletic department to provide us with the best of the best.Â
What has been your favorite road trip with your teammates?
Epstein: This isn't a road trip, but it would have to be spring break. Every year the team bonds and laughs more than ever. This year especially was great.Â
Pitocco: This is a hard question as we have spent countless hours in the van together. Every day, I practically fell off my seat in laughter. If I had to pick one trip, it would have to be the Quinnipiac Invitational Tournament this fall. This trip is always fun because it is usually our first road trip as a team, to start off the fall season. This year, there were some rain delays which caused matches to be pushed to the next day. We were able to use this extra free time to bond and enjoy our time together off campus.Â
Most memorable moment while at PC? (athletically, academically or socially is fine)
Epstein: I think every day getting into the van for tennis and laughing so hard about something that happened during the day was a broad but happy memory for me. It was the therapy everyone needed every day and that little downtime before practice to switch our mindset.
Pitocco: There are so many memorable moments I can think of so this is another hard one. However, one moment that stands out is our team's spring break trip, my sophomore year, to South Carolina. It was our first year staying in a house together and our team dinners and free time spent on the beach are some moments that I will never forget.Â
What are your plans for the near-term future?
Epstein: I've started working virtually for Fidelity in their institutional asset management department and I'm moving to Boston in the next couple months!
Pitocco: I plan to stay another year at PC to get my MBA and I will hold a GA position in the Business School. Since I will be on campus every day I will, of course, continue to support the tennis team and PC Athletics!
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