The projected low temperature in Milwaukee today is a balmy 9 degrees.

The low in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico: 73 degrees.

The frigid Wisconsin winters have taken some getting used to for Puerto Rican native and freshman Marquette tennis standout Paola Calderon.

"I almost died the week it was 30 below," Calderon said. "I call and complain to my mom, sometimes."

Tomorrow, in the comfortable confines of the Helfaer Tennis Stadium, she will attempt to continue her hot streak against Louisville. The match will be her seventh of the season at No. 1 singles. Calderon has gone 3-3 in the slot on the year, including two straight wins against IUPUI and Northern Illinois.

It's not that she isn't used to winning. According to tennisrecruiting.net, Calderon was a four star recruit and the No. 1 prospect from Puerto Rico. In 2007, she was named the Puerto Rican Tennis Association's Athlete of the Year.

Tennis has been a part of Calderon's life from a very young age. She moved from Venezuela to Puerto Rico at the age of six with her mother, Lauva, an architect from Venezuela, and her father, Wilson, a Columbia native who owns an advertising company. Calderon said her father got her involved with tennis soon after.

"My dad always liked tennis, but his parents could never pay for it," she said. "So, he got me into it, and I've liked it ever since."

Her impressive career in juniors play caught the eye of schools like Ohio State, Wisconsin and South Carolina, all currently ranked in the top 75 in the nation.

Marquette, however, was the clear choice, Calderon said. She learned of the university through fellow Puerto Ricans and former Marquette tennis players Maria Calbeto and Francina Bonnelly.

"Marquette has excellent reputation academically in Puerto Rico," said Calderon, an international business and finance major. "That was a big part my decision."

On the court, Calderon has enjoyed the experience of playing for the school team. Focusing on juniors tennis in Puerto Rico, she did not play for a high school team. Calderon said she appreciates the additional support.

"Here, you know you have to keep your energy up-not only for yourself but for your teammates," she said. "You always have to think about someone else, not only your self."

Coach Jody Bronson said stressing the little things is important for freshmen who play in the one spot.

"The thing we've tried to talk to them about is that when you play at the top, all these little things make such a difference in how you're competing against that No. 1 player," Bronson said.

Calderon's teammates say her biggest asset is her toughness. Her roommate and best friend Gillian Hush, also a freshman tennis player, said her laid back demeanor off the court is in stark contrast to her intense attitude on the court.

"She has a tough side when she plays," Hush said. "It's her goal to win every match."

The toughness initially led to some friction with Bronson, Calderon said, which has since been remedied.

"We've had our moments," she said. "She knows maybe I don't like her talking to me when I'm frustrated, but at the same time I've learned to listen to her. She's my coach, she knows what I'm doing wrong."

Milwaukee's high friday: 37 degrees. But Calderon will certainly bring the heat to Court 1.