Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletic Communications
NORFOLK, Va. – The abrupt end to the remainder of the 2020 NCAA spring sports season around the country has hit especially hard for senior student-athletes, who do not know if they will have the opportunity to resume their collegiate careers.
Over the coming weeks and months, NSU Athletics is highlighting a number of these student-athletes who have been integral members of their sports programs, on and off the fields of competition.
Joyce Fields is in her second year on the NSU women's tennis team after transferring from Eckerd College in Florida. The Newport News native has appeared in 18 doubles and 15 singles matches in the green and gold. She dominated against conference opponents last year, with a combined 8-2 record in singles and doubles play. Fields won her first four singles matches in conference action last season, helping NSU win the MEAC's Northern Division regular-season championship. For her career, she finished with an 8-10 doubles record.
Fields not only excels on the tennis courts, but in the classroom as well. Last season she was named to the Eta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, while making the NSU Athletics Director's Honor Roll every semester she's been at NSU.
Read more about her below in our Senior Spartan Spotlight:
Q: What made you choose Norfolk State?
A: The opportunity to play a sport that I love while continuing my education in an area close to family and friends.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Spartan?
A: I transferred to Norfolk State from a smaller school that had smaller basketball games. I had been in Echols Hall plenty of times, but when I went to my first basketball game here at Norfolk State, I got to see it come to life. The energy of the band, dancers and spirit of the people in the crowd made my first basketball game my favorite memory as a Spartan.
Q: What do you love most about tennis?
A: The competition aspect of tennis involves mental and physical strength and challenges. To play...you've got to love the grind.
Q: During your time here, you were really successful in doubles play. What can you say about your doubles partner Paula Fortuno? Is there a different mindset you have compared to singles play?
A: My doubles partner Paula and I were a good match-up. Our games were different and complemented each other on the court. Doubles and singles are very different but the focused mindset during both is just as important.
Q: What are some of your hobbies when you're not in class or competing?
A: Being a busy person, I enjoy hobbies that are productive and fun! I love cooking and trying new foods so I usually meal prep a few extra meals every time I make something. I also love being outside, so even when I am busy, I make time for runs outside or beach workouts to enjoy my city and good days.
Q: What was the hardest part of having tennis season canceled?
A: The men and women's tennis team was on our annual spring break trip. We were supposed to be in South Carolina for a week with tennis matches just about every day to play. After our third day of matches, our coach told us schools in Virginia have been canceling seasons, our school was closing, and that we had to leave back to Virginia right away. Finding out the season was canceled meant that I was done with tennis and competing without even knowing that my last match was my last match. The hardest part was saying goodbye without the actual chance to say goodbye to the program.
Q: The NCAA just announced providing eligibility relief to spring athletes. What would another year of eligibility mean to you?
A: Another year of eligibility would mean the chance to continue competing in a sport that I love for a school that I love if possible.
Q: What is your major and what would you like to do with it after graduation??
A: I am a chemistry major and after graduating I hope to continue my education in graduate school.