CLAIRE C. LAURENCE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior tennis player Kelly Perry is the Pac-10 Player of the Week after upsetting No. 1 Stanford's Erin Burdette 6-2, 6-4. The win was Perry's first against Stanford, giving the senior at least one win against each Pac-10 school.

On a team that emphasizes "heart over talent," senior Kelly Perry is the heart and soul of the Arizona women's tennis team. Perry played as the third senior on a team with two senior stars in Dianne Hollands and Maja Mlakar.

The 5-foot-5-inch Perry pushed herself to overcome taller opponents and has gritted and ground her way to another successful season, her third as a Wildcat and final as a collegiate tennis player.

Showing that heart last weekend against Stanford's No. 16 Erin Burdette, Perry earned a final win that has eluded her. After practice yesterday, Perry sat down and talked to the Wildcat about her season, quitting high school tennis and falling on her ass.

Wildcat: What did that win against Stanford mean to you?

Perry: It was the only team I hadn't won a singles match against in my career, so it meant a lot. I can hang my rackets up happy now. Plus, it really boosted my confidence.

Wildcat: What's it like playing as the underdog senior on the team?

Perry: It never really hit me that way. I just always wanted to go out and do my best.

Wildcat: You say do your best like it's nothing, but not everyone does it.

Perry: I can't not do it. I never tank or give up, I can't. As much as I say tennis is not my life, I do love it. I've always been a team player and I'm not going to play after college, I just care more about the team than personal accomplishment.

Wildcat: This upcoming Friday is Senior Day for you and Maja (Mlakar) and Dianne (Hollands), what's it mean to you personally?

Perry: I'm really excited! It'll be nice because my dad's coming, and it'll be nice if I can win my last matches. One day I'll realize I'll never get to do this again.

Wildcat: What's it mean having your parent's come from San Diego to your matches?

Perry: I have to have someone watching me, and it's great when it's my mom or dad. My dad cares more than I do sometimes, it's funny.

Wildcat: What's your best memory on the court?

Perry: Um ... Beating Erin (Burdette) this past weekend.

Wildcat: Really?

Perry: Yup ... She's the best player I've ever beaten (ranked No. 16 in the nation). I kind of felt I could beat her, then it happened and I was like "Whoa!"

Wildcat: What's your favorite memory off the court?

Perry: Umm ... (asks Dianne) ... Sorry, I'm going brain-dead. Can we come back to that?

Wildcat: OK, what do you want to do after school?

Perry: I want to go into public relations, not sure where, but I want to live in Hawaii, it's always been my favorite place.

Wildcat: Yeah I want to live there too, play golf forever ... Anyway, you're not graduating until May of 2006, but your eligibility is up this May. Are you going to stick around and help coach?

Perry: No, I'll come and help at practice as a hitting partner, but not as a coach. This way I still get to help and play. (Laughs) OK, we have a memorable moment, (consults with Dianne) ... Never mind, I'll come back to it.

Wildcat: OK, why don't you want to help coach?

Perry: Well, I don't really know if I'm allowed to. (laughs) Plus I really don't have any interest in coaching.

Wildcat: OK, let's talk about your high school years. You earned three letters in tennis and one in softball.

Perry: Well, I quit tennis my senior year.

Wildcat: You quit and still made a collegiate team?

Perry: It's different in high school. If you're actually trying to make it to the college level, you don't play high school, you just get lessons. High school tennis hurts your game.

Wildcat: OK, weird. What about softball, what happened?

Perry: I love softball and baseball. I really miss softball a lot, but I had to make a decision when I was younger and chose tennis.

Wildcat: What's position did you play?

Perry: Pitcher.

Wildcat: What's your best pitch?

Perry: Changeup.

Wildcat: Who's your biggest influence?

Perry: My dad.

Wildcat: Why did you leave Minnesota?

Perry: The weather.

Wildcat: (laughs) You didn't know what the weather would be like in Minnesota?!

Perry: I knew, but after you go three weeks without sunshine, it changes your attitude.

Wildcat: Who's your idol?

Perry: Don't have one, but Monica Seles is my favorite tennis player.

Wildcat: Why?

Perry: When I was younger I played two-handed both ways, like she does.

Wildcat: Who's your favorite baseball team and player?

Perry: I love the Chicago Cubs. My parents grew up there, so it's in my blood. I love Mark Grace. I grew up watching him, and I thought he was cute. My lucky number is 17 because of him.

Wildcat: What's your favorite movie? Give me a comedy, an action, a chick-flick and a horror.

Perry: Um ... what's the new movie with Ashton Kutcher?

Wildcat: "Guess Who?"

Perry: Yeah that one.

Wildcat: But it has Ashton Kutcher.

Perry: But it's really funny!

Wildcat: OK, OK, and the others?

Perry: Does "Kill Bill" count as an action?

Wildcat: Why not? I love those movies.

Perry: So do I. Favorite chick-flick would be "Dirty Dancing" and favorite horror, "Scream."

Wildcat: OK, last one: What's the funniest thing you've seen on the tennis courts?

Perry: (laughs again) ... I would say something about Di, but I don't want to get in trouble. So let's just say when I fell on my ass earlier this year.