Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 9 No. 4

That skill makes her a popular teammate, as she often cooks for her

teammates and friends. One dish, in particular, gets rave reviews.

“The dish that most people like … it is called Carbonara,” she

said. “It’s made with egg sauce and bacon. I guess that’s why it’s so

good to Americans. If you go to Rome, that’s the main dish.”

While Fusinato’s time at Virginia Tech is winding down, the

journey for her is just beginning. She plans to go to work for a non-

profit organization called “TEDS”—think, eat, do and serve. The

group teaches people how to do those things. She also hopes to

attempt professional tennis, if the opportunity presents itself.

The coach who found her in Feltre knows that she is ready for

whatever life throws at her.

“Getting to know Fusi, I noticed something special about her

that goes beyond the tennis courts,” Gomez said. “She is strong in

mind, spirit and body, and I look forward to seeing what she does

in the upcoming chapters of her life.”

Fusinato expressed her feelings for the people of Blacksburg

and what the community has meant to her. The kindness of the

people stands out, particularly when compared to those in her

home country.

She also expressed gratitude toward Virginia Tech and the

women’s tennis program. Tennis not only has given Fusinato a

chance to gain national recognition, but it also has helped her grow

as a person.

“Every time you’re about to play a match, you are facing yourself

and your fears,” she said. “That’s what made me grow the most.”

Fusinato has left her impact on the tennis program at Virginia

Tech. Like most international student-athletes, she arrived in this

country with certain set of fears. Now, she leaves with confidence,

and more importantly, hope.

Francesca Fusinato and the Hokies play in a

difficult ACC, but they have goals of a third straight

appearance at the NCAA Championships and a deep

run, both as a team and individuals, in that tournament.