Name:  Anna-Sophia Capizzi
Sport: Women's Basketball
Hometown: Chevy Chase, Md.
High School: Academy of the Holy Cross
Activities/Clubs/Committees: Athletic Office Assistant, Joe Schwartz Committee

Why did you choose Haverford?
Haverford was not on my radar at all when I started looking at colleges, but by chance I met Haverford's athletic director, Wendy Smith, at one of my high school team's tournaments and she encouraged me to schedule a visit and meet the basketball team. The team was extremely welcoming and the campus was beautiful so I decided to apply. After visiting again for an overnight, I realized that Haverford was an excellent fit for me in many ways– I was looking for a college with exceptional academics and accessibility to professors, as well as a strong athletic program that understands the importance of academics.

What is your favorite team experience?
My favorite team experience happens before almost every game we play. We have a tradition of playing music in the locker room (and even choreographing dances to some songs) before games to get us fired up. These moments with my team are definitely some of my favorites because you can feel the collective energy and adrenaline for the game but also the dedication we have to each other. While we take our sport seriously, we have fun together even before some of the most intense and important games in our season.

Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I have always participated in sports and played basketball and ran track in high school. I chose to play basketball in college because I love the game and love having something that I am able to work at and see myself get better at. I also knew that if I had the opportunity to play basketball in college, I would be part of a strong community of friends and teammates, which is very important to me, and has been the most rewarding part of my experience as a college athlete so far.

What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
Being a student-athlete means being able to pushing myself academically as well as having the opportunity to dedicate my time to play a sport that I love. As a student-athlete, I am challenged to organize my time, make sacrifices, and commit myself to a team that shares my goals. It also means having the responsibility to represent Haverford; we travel to other colleges and strive to represent the core values of Haverford through our sportsmanship and integrity during competition.

What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
I would advise high school students to visit our campus and get a feel for the Haverford community. I strongly recommend an overnight stay. Having the opportunity to personally interact with professors, students, team members and others at Haverford, is essential. The most important part of my college discernment process was not putting unnecessary pressure on myself and making sure that I focused on finding a college where I felt the most comfortable and challenged. The best advice I can give prospective students is to relax about the process and go with your gut!