The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize 20-year-old Stern College junior Tzipora Leiser as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Leiser is a big part of the Yeshiva University women’s tennis team that is off to their best start in years.

Leiser helped the Lady Macs tennis team earn their second consecutive win with her match on September 21 at Prospect Park in Troy, New York. She won in three sets, 6-3, 2-6, 1-0 (10-4), as the Lady Macs swept the host Sage Colleges 9-0.

Leiser and the Lady Macs were once again victorious last Friday when they defeated St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. Tzipora earned two points for Yeshiva, winning at singles, 6-2, 6-4, and teaming with senior Galila Shapiro to win at number two doubles, 8-1. Last week’s victory puts Yeshiva University at 3-0 in the Skyline Conference for the first time in years, with an overall record of 3-2.

Tzipora, Yasher Koach on two great matches, do you have a favorite athlete?

I don’t have one favorite athlete. I usually root for the underdog. It’s always fun to see a good comeback. It proves that with enough skill and motivation it’s always possible to win against all odds.

What is your pregame routine?

I just make sure to drink a lot of water all day and before I play I clear my mind so that I can focus completely on the game. Before starting our matches, our coaches Naomi Kaszovitz and Danielle Carr get in the zone as we talk strategy and then my teammates and I pump each other up as we go to our respective courts. GO MACS!

What is your earliest sport memory?

Playing softball in TBO on the same team as my good friends Amanda and Melissa, with our parents as coaches, from the age of seven years old and then for the next seven years.

Do you have a favorite sports memory?

All of my favorite sports memories are from playing in the RASGHA basketball tournament in Miami every year of high school with the Ma’ayanot basketball team. We met girls from all over the country and played basketball for five days straight. It was always fun hanging out with my team in Miami while the rest of our friends were sitting in class.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?

The tennis team takes up a lot of time during the season so when I’m not playing, I’m usually doing schoolwork or hanging out with friends and family.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

That I get to do what I love in a way that does not compromise… my Judaism, but rather enhances it through all of the things that I learn from my coaches, teammates, opponents, and the sport itself. It also presents us with an opportunity to make a kiddush Hashem each time we take the court against an opposing team.

Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].