Thursday, January 23, 1997
KOCSIS:
Hungarian finds opportunities for sports and education at UCLABy
Christie DeBeau
Daily Bruin Contributor
The love of tennis is what took sophomore Kati Kocsis thousands
of miles away from her family and friends.
Two years have now passed since Kocsis left her homeland of
Hungary in search of the American dream.
"If you want to go to a university in Europe, there is no way to
do your sport … you have to study," Kocsis said. "So, this is the
best opportunity to play tennis and go to school together."
Kocsis misses her friends and family but has been adapting well
to life away from home.
"I miss it a little bit but I think it was really easy
adjusting," she said.
After transferring from Southern Mississippi, Kocsis will be
playing at the No. 1 spot for UCLA.
Kocsis began her Bruin career by reaching the finals of the T.
Rowe Price National Clay Court Championships, becoming the first
player in UCLA history to achieve that accomplishment.
Her spot in the national preseason rankings improved from 10th
to 6th in the fall.
Kocsis opened the winter season at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic
where she claimed the tournament title.
"I was surprised," Kocsis said after her victory. "I took a long
time off, and I really started to practice a couple days before the
tournament."
The Milwaukee tournament and the Pac-10 Indoor Championships
 where she advanced to the semifinals  were primarily
warm-ups for Kocsis and the rest of the team. It is the Nationals
that Kocsis is preparing for.
"These tournaments are to get us ready, get the whole team
together," Kocsis said. "We want to get ready for the Nationals.
That’s the most important part of the year."
Around 7 years of age is when Kocsis began her tennis career.
Her family was responsible for getting her started.
"The whole family played tennis," Kocsis said. "My parents play.
We like tennis a lot."
While her parents may have sparked her passion for tennis, it is
her own motivation that keeps Kocsis playing.
"I just love tennis, I always have," Kocsis admitted. "It’s so
much fun. I can’t even imagine my life without tennis."
UCLA Sports Info
Kati Kocsis