ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 12, 1997 TAG: 9703120046
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: CHRIS LANG THE ROANOKE TIMES
Australian Oliver Mayo has been Virginia Tech's top tennis player all four years he's been on the team.
Oliver Mayo knows how to take advantage of adverse situations.
In his freshman year, the Virginia Tech tennis player took over the No. 1 singles position when Scott Cuppett, now a Tech assistant, went down with a knee injury.
Mayo was elevated to the top singles slot and has been there ever since.
Now a senior, the Canberra, Australia, native is ranked 27th in the nation and making another run at the NCAA Tournament.
"I stepped up and went 9-3 that year," Mayo said. "That kind of cemented me there."
Mayo has been the team's No. 1 player all four years. He has matured into the role of the team's leader.
"It's a little easier when you get a bit older," Mayo said. "Being more mature, you know what is going on and what is expected of you. It's not so hard to fulfill those expectations."
Expectations are high. Mayo, who does not shy away from competition, has beaten some of the best college players in the country this season.
He has beaten three players ranked in the Top 25, including the University of Miami's Mike Russell, who is ranked third in the nation.
"It's good [for confidence] because you're not intimidated when you go up against guys in the Top 25," Mayo said. "You know you have a good shot at beating them."
Mayo's singles record is 16-7 this year, which is fourth on the Tech team. He said other players know about him and are gunning for him just as he takes aim at players above him.
"I've had that happen every year," he said. "People bring out their best against you. The danger is when your opponent is playing his best and you're not as prepared as you probably should be. It's a lot easier being the hunter than the hunted."
Mayo's best doubles success has come when he has been teamed with junior Marek Pfeil, a Blacksburg High School graduate. The team is 10-3 this year.
Though tennis is an individual sport, Mayo understands that the team aspect of the sport is important as well.
"I think it's important teamwise for individuals to step up and win big matches," Mayo said. "Because there are going to be guys that play good and bad in some areas. The most important thing is being able to come up with a win when one of your teammates is not having his best day."
The Aussie Mayo is one of two players on the Tech team from the South Pacific. Fellow senior Andrew Krafft hails from Wellington, New Zealand. Mayo said he was late in deciding to come to the United States - and Virginia Tech.
"My parents wanted a balance between tennis and a good school," Mayo said. "Tech was in the top 50 at both at that time. There have been good and bad points, but overall it's been a good choice."
Mayo has come many thousands of miles to get to Virginia Tech, and hopes he can exchange those frequent-flier miles for ATP Tour Points after graduation in May, as he plans to try to hit the pro circuit.
"I know I can compete," he said. "But whether I can get to the Top 200 will become evident after playing for a while."
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Chris Lang at 381-1664 in Montgomery County or Radford or 1-800-346-1234, extension 664 elsewhere or fax to 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DAVE KNACHEL\VIRGINIA TECH. Tech's Oliver Mayo is rankedby CNB27th in the nation and making another run at the NCAA Tournament.
color.