15 questions with... Amina Abou El Enin, a Penn women's squash sophomore

The Daily Pennsylvanian asked Penn women's squash’s Amina Abou El Enin 15 questions about her sport, her time at Penn, and her life overall. Here's what the sophomore had to say.

1. Can you introduce yourself? 

I am Amina El Enin, a sophomore on the squash team. I am from Cairo, Egypt. I am studying in the College.

2. What are three words that you would use to describe your style of play? 

Skilled, determined, grateful. 

3. When did you start playing squash? 

I started at the age of five. I think in Egypt, we try to make you play as many sports as possible. I was five and playing a lot of sports at the time and my mom introduced me to squash and I fell in love with it. 

4. What has your experience playing squash at Penn been like? 

It is a great, amazing experience. Normally, squash is such an individual sport, but here at Penn it is a team sport. I have never really played squash in that way, having a team, having them support you, having them push you to get better. It has made my experience with squash so much better and I appreciate it so much more with my teammates.

5. How has your team coped with the pandemic?

Most of the team is living in off-campus housing so we are trying to see each other a lot but also keeping social distance. We are doing Zooms because there are girls who aren’t here and we are trying to do workouts together out in Penn Park. We are just trying to cope as much as possible. 

6. One thing you miss about not playing squash right now? 

I think just having something to wake up to everyday, having the schedule to keep you disciplined and focused, and I think that is something that I miss. 

7. Favorite Penn squash memory? 

Most of the times we travelled with the team to tournaments not at Penn. We’d always hang out together and cheer each other on, and then after we would eat at cool restaurants after matches. Hanging out with my teammates and just talking. 

8. Do you have a favorite class you have taken at Penn?

Marketing, because I am not sure what I want to do yet, but I took Marketing 101 last semester and it was really nice even though with COVID it went virtual with everything going on.

9. Do you have any pre-game rituals or pre-game songs?

Normally, I take like 10 to 15 minutes to myself and I listen to slow songs at the beginning, and then right before the match I listen to Eminem’s "Till I Collapse." 

10. Who is your biggest role model? 

My mom and dad are probably my biggest role models because they are really hard working. My mom taught me to enjoy the small things in life even just a nice movie after a really hard game and my dad taught me to persevere and keep getting back up and try your best. 

11. If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted in Philadelphia, what would you do?

Wake up and go see the sunset by the Schuylkill River and Delaware River. I would get my sister and we would go to the Penn Museum and go to Cira Green and walk around after that. Probably have to go to Smokes' one more time. Last year after games we would go to Smokes' to celebrate after a game.

12. Do you have a favorite quote? 

“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties but peace in difficulties” [C.S. Lewis]. It makes me more grateful everyday. 

13. If you had to pick another sport to play, which sport would it be and why? 

Definitely soccer, I have played soccer my whole life and through my middle school and high school years. 

14. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you pick?  

Obama, I think he is a really charismatic person.

15. What is one piece of advice you would give for someone who wants to play squash in college? 

In general, individual sports are sometimes too stressful. I think just focus on yourself and always go back to why you are playing and the love of the game; just to always keep in mind that you are playing it for you and that you love the game. Never forget your purpose or why you are doing what you are doing.