- "I made VWC my top choice because Virginia Wesleyan has all the requirements that met what I wanted from a school. I wanted a college with small class sizes, that was located in the suburbs, which recognized my achievements, and was located close to home. After visiting other universities, I knew that Virginia Wesleyan was the school for me"
- Selected Virginia Wesleyan over James Madison University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech and Virginia Military Institute
Sophomore (2014-15): Played four singles matches and three doubles matches on the year… Defeated Honestee Sphabmixay of Penn St.-Abington 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles on March 10… Went 2-0 at No. 2 doubles with partner Kristen Walden, defeating Shenandoah University and Penn St.-Abington.
First-Year (2013-14): Played 12-of-15 singles matches at the No. 3 spot on the ladder, going 1-2 at No. 2 singles… Won four-straight singles matches from March 3-8… Went 6-4 in ODAC play… Played all three doubles positions during the year, winning matches at each… Posted a 4-4 record at No. 1 doubles with two of those victories coming in league play.
Academic Accomplishments: Presidential Scholarship recipient… Two-time Dean's List honoree.
Before VWC: Competed in tennis and field hockey for Bayside… Three-time Most Valuable Player in tennis… 2010 Best Offensive player in tennis… 2012 recipient of the Leadership Award in field hockey… 2012-13: Physical Fitness Excellent Award, Future Business Leaders of America… 2011-12: Outstanding Virginia/U.S. History Student, Spanish III Award, Outstanding AP Environmental Science Student, Outstanding Math Analysis Student… 2010-11: Excellence in Honors English, Outstanding Achievement in Spanish, Environmental Club… Award of Achievement for Accounting in 2013.
Personal: Daughter of Charlene and Jorge Cifuentes… Parents attended St. Leon University.
Get to Know Marisa
- Enjoys all types of music and would like to spend vacation time in Scotland or Ireland
- Favorites include the book "The Give", any Disney movie, and the TV series "Full House"
- A fan of Olympian Mia Hamm
- Self-description in 10 words or less: "determined, athletic, hard worker, trustworthy, honest, intelligent, humorous, down-to-earth, practical, thoughtful"
- My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "being able to completely submerse myself into a sport that I love playing. There is no better feeling than pushing myself in order to become the athlete that I know I can be. Being an athlete is more than how one plays on the field, but also how one carries themselves off the field"
- The part of my game I've improved the most is: "being able to remain calm and lead a team when things start to go wrong on the court or the field. Communication and positive re-enforcement are essential when trying to motivate and push your team"
- My personal athletic goal at VWC is: "to always put all that I have into what I am doing, whether I am at practice or playing in a game. I also want to be an all-around role model athlete by demonstrating great sportsmanship and excelling at my academic studies"
- If I could spend one day with a famous person from any time period it would be: "Sacagawea, because I want to know what she expected while she guided Lewis and Clark. Lewis and Clark would have never accomplished what they did without her help"
- People might be surprised to know: "I can sing. Many don't know I have been in All-District chorus multiple times and was asked to participate in being recorded for the Holiday Lights music track"
- It's the year 2030 and: "I am going to be wherever my career takes me, whether I am in the military or working in an office. I am living my life to the fullest with a career that makes me happy and with a family I love unconditionally. I believe God will direct me down the right path for the future"
- The most important advice I've received is: "from my father. He told me that I should never let someone or something stop me from doing what I love, because in the long run I am the one that has to live with the decision"
