On Serve with Houston Barrick
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March 27, 2007
Virginiasports.com caight up with freshman tennis player Houston Barrick for a question and answer session. He talked about his transition to college after enrolling mid-year, winning a prestigious USTA sportsmanship award, his goals for the team, and being the youngest player on the team.
How has the adjustment been for you coming into the program in mid-year?
HB: Early on it took some time to adjust to the collegiate level of play. I had some confidence issues in the start but those are gone now and I know I can play well at this level. In terms of school, it has been tough, but it has not been as tough as I thought it was going to be when I came in. Overall, I think the transition has gone well.
After years of playing tennis as an “individual sport” in juniors, how have you handled the change to the team aspect of college tennis?
HB: I played a few junior level team competitions, but it was nowhere near this level. Growing up, I played a bunch of team sports like baseball and basketball and loved being a part of a team. For these next four years, I will have the best of both worlds, high level tennis as an individual, but I also get to have that team camaraderie.
What has been the highlight of the season for you thus far?
HB: I would say National Team Indoors; that tournament was a blast. It was so much fun to be on the same courts with all the top players in college tennis. There were a bunch of players I remember being stars in junior tennis that were a few years older than me like John Isner at Georgia, and Treat on our team, and now I was getting to play in an event with a lot of them. I couldn’t ask for more.
What are your goals for this season?
HB: My goals as an individual take a back seat to the goals of the team. I think we have the talent to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. We are capable of having a great May and I am looking forward to that. My goals for myself are to do whatever it takes to make the goals of the team come true.
You recently received the prestigious Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to only four junior players each year by the USTA. What does winning an award like that say about you and your game?
HB: Win or lose, I want to be a gentleman on the court. That is the way I was raised. It is a sport that is meant to be played for fun. Sometimes I think people forget that in the heat of the moment. Those are the principles I try to bring on the court with me.
Just because you are a gentleman on the courts doesn’t mean you are a quiet player. We have seen you get loud and into matches this season.
HB: When I hit a big shot, the shouting is just a release of emotion. In team tennis, I think you need to do that to fire up your teammates. I am usually a quiet guy, but if I think the team needs me to be loud, I will yell.
In one match, you even yelled at Coach Boland to pick it up. That had to be a first.
HB: Yeah, against Boise State. He was coaching on my court and I just got a big break, and was trying to stay fired up. He just happened to be the closest one to me, so I focused in on him. I think he liked the emotion.
You graduated early to enroll in January. How have you adjusted to being the youngest member of this team when most kids your age are still seniors in high school?
HB: I had been to Charlottesville a few times, so I knew the guys and knew what to expect from school, so from that standpoint it wasn’t too tough. The only real adjustment was getting used to a classroom setting again since I had been home schooled for the past few years. I picked that up quickly and have done fine. The guys on the team have been great, even though I am over a year younger than the next youngest guy on the team. I am just like any other teammate, even though I am only 17.