Stephanie Eyler on the Women's Tennis Team and Playing Two Sports
It's hard enough playing one sport in college, let alone two. Junior Stephanie Eyler does this by bookending her years as a Mustang playing soccer and then tennis. For Eyler, dealing with two completely different games can be a struggle. But, it's something she has always done.
GoMustangSports.com talked with Eyler this week on the eve of the spring season to figure out how she does it and to get her take on how far the Mustangs can go.
GoMustangSports.com: When you came to school here, did you plan on playing two sports?
Stephanie Eyler: Originally I didn't. I had planned on playing soccer, but tennis was kind of up in the air because I didn't know how it would be being a two-sport athlete. I didn't know how much work (it would be). I talked to a few other people like Allie (Humphries) off the soccer team. She played basketball and soccer. And Tonia (Cristino). They said I could do it, so I decided I was going to try it and if it didn't work out then I was going to pick which one…well obviously, I would be playing soccer.
GoMustangSports.com: So you kind of grew up playing both?
SE: I grew up playing soccer since I was four. Tennis, I played here and there when I was younger, but I mainly started in high school. I mainly played doubles in high school. And then coming here, I play both singles and doubles, so it's definitely a change.
GoMustangSports.com: Even though you played mostly doubles in high schools, how is the mentality different…in soccer, you have all of your teammates with you, but here you are by yourself?
SE: It's definitely different. That's probably the main reason I like playing doubles so much because when you mess up, you and your partner can laugh about it and it's not just you getting aced 10 times in a row (laughs).
GoMustangSports.com: Do you have to be in different shape to play in the different sports? Different preparation?
SE: There are underlying things that are the same. (Having) quick feet is important for both. But more so, you have to be agile on the tennis court because you have to be able to get up and back quickly whereas soccer is more endurance. But you do need those quick bursts too so it's important for both.
GoMustangSports.com: Can you talk about the expectations this year? And also think back to last year: did you do as well as you wanted to?
SE: We have room to improve. I will say that (laughs). We didn't do horrible. We won matches, but yeah I definitely think – we brought in a couple of new girls this year, so hopefully we will improve off last season.
GoMustangSports.com: What are your expectations for this year?
SE: Realistic? (laughs) I would say probably middle-of-the-road in our conference. Make playoffs- that's definitely an expectation.
GoMustangSports.com: How good is the conference? Are some of the teams very good?
SE: Mary Washington is (laughs). They are crazy good. They beat us every year and probably will this year, but that's okay (laughs). When I went there, the girl that I played in high school in counties – well, I didn't play her because she was playing singles when I was in doubles – but she won states and she is only their number three. So that kind of gives you an idea that they are good. They are really good.
GoMustangSports.com: If you could scout yourself as a player, what are your strengths and weaknesses and what type of stuff do you do to improve your game?
SE: I think fitness is definitely my biggest strength. As far as weaknesses, definitely my backhand, it's horrible (laughs). It's hard. My serve is not that great either. I have to work on that too (laughs).
GoMustangSports.com: Is the fitness just from playing soccer?
SE: Yeah, I think so. I think that has helped a lot, especially when there are short shots over the net. To be able to get up there, most people don't move.
GoMustangSports.com: What made you start to really enjoy playing tennis? You could've just stuck with soccer…
SE: I think when I was younger, my dad used to take us to the park and try to teach me how to play so it was always in the back of my mind. When I got to high school, I wanted to have something to do in the spring and a lot of my friends were playing. One of my best friends was my doubles partner. Tennis has always been something that I have done for fun. Soccer is my passion and then tennis is just a lot of fun.
GoMustangSports.com: Do you look at tennis as a game that you can play for the rest of your life?
SE: Yeah, I definitely think so. That's what my high school coach told me. That's actually kinda funny. He said, "Tennis is a sport of a lifetime."
GoMustangSports.com: Can you describe your teammates? Who stands out or is working hard?
SE: Julie Strong has definitely been working her butt off. She's such a good player. I look up to her. She's definitely a really strong player. I'm looking forward to seeing how she does this season. But overall, I think our team is just a bunch of fun. These girls are awesome. We are always laughing or making a joke out of everything, which is good. It's supposed to be that way.
GoMustangSports.com: You talked about you weren't sure whether you were going to play both in college. How much of a factor was that in your college decision?
SE: It was kind of always in the back of my mind because I knew if I went to a Division-I school, there was no way I'd be playing tennis. No way. After I talked to Jason Cohen, he's awesome and he's made tennis so much fun. If he wasn't the coach, it would not be the same at all. He's awesome. I'm looking forward to the season. For spring break, we are going to South Carolina so that should be a lot of fun. We have like two matches and then the rest of the time just chill out on the beach (laughs).
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