Mark Van Nort
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Dalton, Pa.

When did you start playing tennis?

I started playing when I was about five years old, but I lost in a tournament and quit. I started playing again when I was a freshman in high school.

What is your favorite tennis tournament to watch?

The U.S. Open is my favorite tournament to watch. It’s only a few hours from here and it is very exciting. It is the only major that plays a tie break in the fifth set, which makes long matches much more intense.

What is your favorite part about playing tennis?

I love the intensity, especially in college tennis where it is a team sport. Everyone is very competitive and there is a lot of team spirit.

Who is your favorite tennis player?

Stan Warwrinka, because he is a big, strong guy and he always fights to be better. He also has a one-handed backhand like myself and it’s one of the best in the game. You don’t see too many one-handers anymore.

What music do you listen to before the game?

I listen to music that makes my blood flow and gets my adrenaline pumping. Usually metal or hard rock. For example, Breaking Benjamin, Five Finger Death Punch, and Disturbed.

Do you have any pre- match rituals?

I always keep my headphones in during the warm-up and don’t talk to anyone. I want to make sure I’m focused and ready to play.

What has been the highlight of your career?

When I transferred from West Virginia University, I hadn’t played tennis in two years and when I started at Marywood I fought my way up the lineup and ended up playing one doubles and six singles. My partner and I won a doubles match 8-1 against a Division 2 school and we ended up winning the conference that year and going to nationals.

What are some of your strengths?

I am definitely a power player. I am not the most consistent, but I make up for that by being aggressive and being a good net player.

What has tennis taught you about life?

If something isn’t working for you in tennis or otherwise, then you have to change it. If you aren’t where you want to be in life, then you have to change something; it’s the same in tennis.

What do you plan on doing after Marywood?

I plan on going to graduate school and getting my Ph.D. in Psychology and hopefully become a forensic psychologist.

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