10 Questions with Women's Tennis Player Vivian Neuenschwander
3/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 25, 2009
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Vivian Neuenschwander has been a two-time member of the Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll and a one-time member of the A-Sun All-Academic Team. Now in her senior year at USC Upstate, Neuenschwander is giving her all to help her team earn a second-straight A-Sun Conference Championship.
Neuenschwander finished the 2008 season ranked ninth on the school's career singles list (39), 13th on the doubles list (29) and 10th on the combined wins (68). She was a perfect 4-0 in A-Sun play last season, seeing time at the number five and six singles slots. She won six straight matches from Feb. 1 to March 22, including conference wins over Mercer, Kennesaw State and Florida Gulf Coast.
As a sophomore, Neuenschwander finished the season with an overall 14-9 record in singles play and a 16-11 mark in doubles play. She posted a nine-match winning streak from Feb. 14 to March 20. She had teamed with partner Anna Novo and recorded a 14-9 doubles record at the No. 1 slot.
Before coming to Upstate, Neuenschwander was ranked 10th in Peru in the under-18 age group in both 2001 and 2002. She was also the No. 2 player in Arequipa from 2000-03.
Recently, the senior economics and finance major sat down with upstatespartans.com and talked about her tennis experiences here at USC Upstate and why she loves supporting and motivating her teammates.
How did head coach Alessandro De Marzo recruit you and what was the determining factor that drew you to USC Upstate?
I knew former Upstate men's tennis player, Sebastian (Gonzales-Orbegoso) for a long time, we had played together in Peru. He came here and helped get me in contact with Coach Alessandro, and that's how I got here.
What was it like playing in the ITA (International Tennis Association) Regionals in 2006, and having to play so many matches in a row and then having to be prepared for the next one as soon as the last one ended?
I played in draw `B', I think in the tournament. I played really well and made it to the finals and lost in three sets. The level of competition was very high and I enjoyed competing because I think it really made me better. I played the semi-finals and the finals in the same day with maybe 30 minutes of rest in-between. When you're playing in a tournament like that, you have your adrenaline pumping so you're not thinking about being tired or needing rest, but it can be tough.
What do you plan on doing for your career once you graduate?
I don't know yet. I might stay here for another year. I applied for the LPTV Staff, the staff for international students that have studied here. You get a one-year visa and work in something within your major, so I'm looking for a job right now.
In your opinion, what's the best part about Peru or Arequipa where you're from?
I like the people, the food, and my family and friends there. Arequipa is a much smaller city than Lima, where Coach De Marzo is from. I like the small size of Arequipa where there's not as much traffic and everything is so much closer. I grew up in Arequipa and went to school there then moved to Lima for two years. I like both cities but they are very different.
What was the biggest adjustment you made when moving to the US?
Well, when I came here I spoke better German than English, since I went to a German school beforehand. My English was not nearly as strong as it is now. It took a while for me to get used to adjusting to the accent here when talking to people face to face.
What would you say is the best part of your tennis game?
I'm very patient and enthusiastic towards the game and I always support my teammates. I may not be the best player on the team, but I'm ready to play at all times and when I do play I give my best effort to do what's best for the team.
How have you handled playing less this season and last season compared to your first two years at Upstate?
It's not easy waiting and not knowing when you're going to play. You just always have to be match-ready to play whenever you're called upon. If I'm not playing, I'm on the court supporting my teammates.
What is your most memorable tennis experience here at USC Upstate?
My freshman year, we were tied 4-4 with Valdosta State while playing in West Florida and I won the deciding match to help our team win. I had just started playing at Upstate so it was a very encouraging moment for me.
How much fun was it last year to win the conference championships?
It was great, especially because no one really expected it to happen because we were the "new" team in the A-Sun conference. No one knew us or thought we could even come close to winning the conference and being undefeated. I think the celebration was all the more fun because we were so excited and happy to prove people wrong and be the underdogs.
Coach Tami Matheny puts you on the court where she thinks there is a close match for you to coach the players through. Does that make you feel good to know that you'll always be there supporting your teammates and what do you say to them to keep them motivated?
Yes, it makes me feel very good. I remember last semester I was supporting Maria and she really came to depend on me being there to win. Of course, I'd love to be on the court playing but if I can't be doing that, I enjoy knowing that my teammates depend on me for support. This semester, I have been doing similar things with Carolina, who plays in the No. 2 spot. If I know some of the opposing players' weaknesses, I'll tell our players to work upon them. Ultimately, I want to keep my teammates positive, confident and tough throughout the match.
