University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Alumni Spotlight: Caroline Ryba
12/29/2018 3:00:00 PM | Tennis
GS: When you reflect back on your Gopher career, what are some of the memories that stand out to you the most?
CR: "Some of the best memories definitely include all of the 'Border Battles' I was a part of. Playing Wisconsin to kick off the Big Ten season was a match that I looked forward to every year, and it was one of the matches the team always got really pumped for. Home or away, we had fans, and some of the matches were dramatic and emotional at times, but that just added to the experience. We never lost to them in my time, so those matches just stand out as a fond memory. Also, my senior year, we upset Ohio State after having many tough 3-4 losses, so that is also a memory that stands out."
GS: You had quite the decorated career while wearing the Maroon and Gold, what does it mean to be considered as one of the greats to come across this program?
CR: "It means a lot, but I look at it as being really fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to play here. Before coming in, I just wanted to contribute in any way possible. I was able to find my game with the help of great coaches and teammates, and I learned what I had to do to be successful."
GS: You and Mehvish [Safdar] were the only two members of the 2017-18 class on the team during your time at Minnesota. What did it mean to have her alongside you?
CR: "Mehvish was a huge part of Minnesota just being a great place for me. Personality-wise we're pretty different, but that's what made the relationship so functional and so special. I think I speak for anyone who's ever been on a team with her when I say that she was one of the best teammates I've ever had. I was really lucky to share my four years with her and through the whole experience, we became really good friends."
GS: This is the first year that you have been considered an alumnus of the University of Minnesota women's tennis team, how does it feel?
CR: "It is bittersweet. Of course I would do it all over again if I could, but everybody's time comes and I'm so happy with my four year that I've come to peace with the fact that I'm not part of the team anymore. I take pride in having been a part of four great teams and I credit that experience for so many of the life-long friends I made along the way."
GS: Is tennis still a part of your life since your time at Minnesota?
CR: "I actually haven't graduated yet as I am finishing my last year of undergraduate studies, so keeping tennis in my life has been pretty easy with Baseline just down the street! I have been teaching tennis to kids and adults at Baseline since the summer, and I occasionally hit with anyone who is interested."
GS: Now that you have started your life after tennis, what occupies most of your free time? What are you doing to stay busy?
CR: "I'll be graduating in May, so I'm currently looking for job opportunities in the Twin Cities and in my hometown of Chicago. School took up the majority of my free time this past semester but on the odd weeks that it didn't, I enjoyed playing/teaching more tennis and just relaxing."
GS: As someone not from Minnesota, what made Minnesota so special to you?
CR: "It was a combination of the coaching staff at the time, the academic reputation, and the facilities that made Minnesota the place I wanted to be. I really liked Chuck and Whitney because they were such kind and knowledgeable coaches, and they really believed in me from the start. I knew I wanted to go into science, and the College of Science and Engineering here is prestigious, and the Twin Cities is really a hib for engineering companies. The U also had the best tennis facilities from all the schools I visited, and I liked how Minneapolis is several hours away from Chicago -- not too close and not too far."
GS: What do you miss most about Minnesota and playing collegiate tennis?
CR: "Being part of a team and competing. In college tennis, you spend a ton of time with your team, and I think that was a really healthy thing for me, as I'm naturally more introverted. I just enjoyed being surrounded by my teammates day in and day out, through practices, traveling, studying, etc. I miss the competing aspect because it's just something I've been doing for as long as I can remember. Tennis matches have made me feel the strongest, positive and negative emotions I've probably ever felt, and I miss the excitement and passion that came with all of it."
GS: For any of the newcomers or future members of Gopher women's tennis, what is one piece of advice that you would give?
CR: "Embrace every day-- hard practice days, study days, travel days, match days -- all of it, because it is all a part of the amazing experience of college tennis, and it just goes by so fast."