Q&A with the Buckeye Seniors – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 16, 2016
Sunday, the No. 5 Ohio State women’s tennis team will celebrate Senior Day, recognizing Nicole Flower and Grâinne O’Neill prior to the noon match vs. Northwestern.
The two seniors, who have been a part of 71 team victories over the past four years, took the time to chat about their Ohio State careers this week heading into their final regular season home matches.
Flower, a native of Upper Arlington, Ohio, redshirted her freshman season because of injury, and is in her fifth year with the squad. She has 43 singles victories and 19 doubles wins as a Buckeye. Flower is a five-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and will be a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and has earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar accolades.
O’Neill, who hails from Blessington, Ireland, is the Buckeyes’ captain this season. She has notched 55 career singles wins and 48 double victories for the Scarlet and Gray. O’Neill has been selected as a Bucks Go Pro intern for this summer.
Q&A with Nicole Flower
What is your major? What are your plans for after graduation?
I majored in sport industry and minored in business and after graduating last may I started my master’s program for sport management. I plan on working for a high school in their athletics department or hopefully getting a full time job with PlaySight.
What is your favorite Ohio State memory?
I don’t think there is one memory that stands out the most to me because every day is so much fun with this team. The team dynamics change every year and every day I get to hang out with my best friends because they are either my roommates, my teammates or my neighbors. I’ve had the most amazing five years at Ohio State and the accumulation of memories and fun I’ve had makes it impossible to pick one memory. My experience at Ohio State is priceless.
What is your favorite tennis memory as a Buckeye?
Beating That Team Up North this season! And going to the National Indoors for the first time in my career and experiencing something at that level and high energy and with the possibility of winning was unforgettable. It was an excitement I’ve never felt and it was incredible to be a part of.
What is your favorite thing to do at Ohio State outside of tennis?
I think my favorite thing to do is hang out with my teammates. I love going out to dinner and walking around the Short North when the weather is nice.
What is the most important lesson playing tennis has taught you?
Tennis has taught me perspective. I think my teammates would all agree hat I’ve achieved a lot on the tennis court, being the best at hitting the tarp, but more importantly always lightening the mood with some horrendous shot and laughing at myself. I’ve had an incredible career at Ohio State and tennis has taught me to be patient, flexible and to always take a step back and be thankful for all that tennis has given me.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Buckeye tennis team?
The girls! They’re a blast to be around and I love all the jokes. Most of the jokes are aimed at me for being old, counting every dime I spend and being obnoxious on the court or on the sidelines, but I love it.
This year’s team has set a number of records already. What can you contribute the success to?
I think the biggest difference between all the teams I’ve been a part of and the current team is that this team has confidence and believes they can win a Big Ten title or a national title. It was always a goal of ours to beat That Team Up North or win Big Tens but this team truly believes we can do it. We also fully support each other and are super close which helps with the team chemistry.
What does being a Buckeye mean to you?
This question always stumps me because it’s not a tangible thing, there are no words that truly satisfy the feeling that comes with being a Buckeye. It means being part of a family of Buckeyes worldwide. It means being part of a tradition like no other. It truly is the people, the tradition, the excellence. Being a Buckeye means being a part of something bigger than yourself.
Q&A with Grâinne O”Neill
What is your major? What are your plans for after graduation?
My major is Sport Industry with a business minor. Well, I still have one more year in my undergraduate degree so I am interning in the Bucks Go Pro program in the Athletics Department in the summer and I hope to continue working part-time until I graduate in Spring 2017.
What is your favorite Ohio State memory?
There’s not one memory that stands out for me. I will cherish the van rides together singing our hearts out, the team meals where we would laugh and joke around and just developing great friendships with my teammates throughout my four years.
What is your favorite tennis memory as a Buckeye?
My favorite tennis memory would have to be when we upset Vanderbilt at National Indoors this year. For Miho to clinch it, I was so proud of her. It was a great moment I will never forget.
What is your favorite thing to do at Ohio State outside of tennis?
I love soaking up the atmosphere of Football Saturdays or walking through the Oval on a sunny day.
What is the most important lesson playing tennis has taught you?
Tennis has taught me that through hard work and a positive attitude, you can achieve many things in life.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Buckeye tennis team?
I don’t think there will ever be a time in my life where I have such a support team around me and a group of girls who will do anything for me. The Buckeye tennis team is there for each other through thick and thin and that is something very special.
This year’s team has set a number of records already. What can you contribute the success to?
This team has put in the work all year round. We worked hard from summer through fall and at the start of the season, we set specific goals we wanted to achieve this year. We are a great team unit, every match the whole team is there fighting for each other and not a lot of other teams can say that.
What does being a Buckeye mean to you?
Being a Buckeye means the world to me, you are representing something bigger then yourself. I shall be forever proud and grateful to have been a part of the Buckeye extended family. O-H!
