Men's Tennis Senior: Ryan Paul

Ryan Paul

By Tegan Ellis

What is your major and how did you end up at ONU?
My major is management and sports management I ended up here because of tennis I looked at smaller schools where I could play. When I came to visit for a match threw was a lot of team camaraderie. I loved the positive atmosphere and it really convinced me to come to Northern.

Do you prefer singles or doubles? Why?
I have always preferred doubles, having someone out there working along with you. In my opinion it’s always better. I have always been a fan of the team concept; it’s a faster pace and I like that as well.

What are your personal goals this year as a senior?
We won the OAC the last couple years so we want to do that again so we can get back to the NCAA tournament. We have done well so we want to continue to build on that. Even though we lost a lot of seniors we still want to improve and come back to win.

What are your goals for the team?
Individually, I don’t really worry about it. Most of my focus is on the team and how we perform as a whole.

How have you seen yourself grow as a player?
The most was freshman year, when you come here and all these good players are around you its so different. You don’t have any easy matches; it’s a lot different than high school.  Our seniors were awesome, my doubles partner was a senior and he was a great leader and really helped me in doubles. I think that carried over into my singles.

What will you miss most about playing tennis at Northern?
All the guys I am on the team with, even when freshmen come in you don’t know them that well or know who you are going to be with. I already miss our seniors that graduated last year and hanging out and getting to know them is just an overall good time.

What are your strengths on the court?
I try not to get to high or too low. I try to just keep battling no matter where I am in a match. I am usually pretty vocal. With having a young team we have to let them know what its all about, they don’t really know how different it is going to be, so just leading them trough that.

As a senior, what responsibilities do you feel you hold to the team?
When I was a freshman, the two seniors were great. I feel like we owe that to the new guys coming in, both on and off the court. I have to make sure they are doing well adjusting to college and performing well in their classes. I think they are doing a good job so far.

How did it feel when you were honored as first team for ESPN the Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District 1V?
I was kind of surprised. I didn’t really know we had that award.  I thought it was really cool to get that because its one-step ahead of Academic All-OAC.

As a junior you were also honored as Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference, what was that feeling like?
I was expecting it since I kept up the good work from the previous year. I was hoping to do it since I improved and continued to show I could do good work both on and off the court.

How have you been so successful in balancing a busy academic schedule with a rigorous tennis line up?
The fall and winter its not so bad, during the spring we have matches so its sometimes difficult but sometimes it means studying on the bus or staying up late after a match. Whatever you have to do to get your work done.

You were also acknowledged as second team All-Ohio Athletic Conference. Were you expecting this recognition?
I thought I would get 2nd team, so I wasn’t all that surprised by it but it was still a nice accomplishment.

You were recently awarded a spot in the 100 win club. What was that accomplishment like as a senior?
It was really good to get in their especially since I know a lot of the guys that were in there. It came down to my court to win the match against Wooster and I did. I helped win the match and I won my 100th match so it was an awesome achievement.

What advice can you leave to the underclassmen as you finish up your final season playing tennis at ONU?
Just remember what its like when you are a freshman coming to a new place. Try to help the freshman adjust and get better. You have to remember that they haven’t been through the same things you have been so you have to do your best to help them.