Eastern sophomore tennis player Jeff Rutherford is 4-5 this season after posting a 15-5 mark as a freshman, but don’t assume he is slumping. Not by a long shot. Rutherford’s freshman numbers were impressive, but they came primarily as the No. 5 singles player. Now he’s the man, taking on every team’s best player as Eastern’s No. 1 singles player. The Richmond, Ky., native recently sat down with Staff Reporter Mike Mears to discuss his career goals, his love of Kentucky basketball, and taking on the No. 1 singles role.

What’s the transition been like to No. 1 singles?

I think I’ve definitely been improving as a player. It’s definitely a lot different playing No. 1 as compared to No. 4 or 5. Definitely tougher competition day in and day out. It’s definitely noticeable because you’re playing each team’s best player they have at their school. You can’t really have any off days. You just have to stay cued in and focus because you’re playing such high-caliber players.

Do you prefer playing singles or doubles?

I like them both. Doubles is a lot of fun. I like it, but I’d say I’m probably a little better at singles than doubles. I still enjoy doubles a lot. You get to play with another person, so it’s not 100 percent individual. You have to use a lot of teamwork.

What part of your game needs the most work?

I would say my serve. My serve is a little shaky sometimes. I go up and down with it. Whenever I have a lot of confidence my serve is pretty solid, but at times it can be a little shaky.

What’s the best part of your game?

I would probably say my ground strokes. Definitely my forehand. I feel like it’s improved a lot, and I’ve turned it into a real weapon I can use.

What major did you recently choose?

I decided to major in business management. I’m not really sure what I want to do, so I figured business management is a pretty wide-open area.

Is it strange to be the only sophomore on the team?

It doesn’t really affect me too much. We’re all a team. It would have been different if I had been the only one coming in as a freshman. I had two other guys come in with me. One of them transferred out and the other quit the team last semester.

Why did you pick Eastern?

When I came on my recruiting trip, I really liked the guys on the team. They seemed really cool. I liked the campus too. I wanted to play at the Division I level, and obviously scholarship money had something to do with it. But it’s a very nice campus.

What other schools did you consider?

I was looking at Western Kentucky, and maybe the University of Louisville as well. That’s about it.

What’s the favorite place you’ve played at?

It’s going to be when we play at Eastern Kentucky in (one) week. I’m from Richmond, where Eastern Kentucky is. I’ve grown up playing on those courts since I was ten years old. Basically, it’ll be like playing at home for me when we play Eastern Kentucky.

Did you grow up a Kentucky basketball fan?

Oh yeah. Huge Kentucky fan. I bleed blue. They started off kind of shaky, but they turned it around with a 12-4 conference record. The big stud freshman, Patrick Patterson, is out for the season, but I still think they’ll do pretty good in the tourney. I’ve got them upsetting Marquette in the first round.

What do you hope to accomplish this season?

Definitely make the (Ohio Valley Conference) tournament. That’s a huge goal for our team. Basically, just try to keep improving my game because I know it’s going to be tough playing each team’s top player. Try and stay positive playing at this high of a level. Trying to raise my game.

What are your goals for the rest of your Eastern career?

Definitely to improve as a player, but I definitely want to see our team improve and try and become a big threat of winning the OVC championship so we can make the NCAA Tournament.

What do you watch on TV?

I’d say Family Guy. What else is there? CSI. I like The Office, too.

Do you do anything special to prepare for a match?

Nothing I can really think of. Just the basics. Get yourself prepared physically and mentally before the match.

What’s on the iPod these days?

I’ve got John Mayer, “Say.” Good song. I’ve got Young Jeezy, Three 6 Mafia.

Sophomore tennis player Jeff Rutherford swings more then just a racquet. In the off-season, Jeff enjoys hitting the links while back home in Richmond, Ky. Rutherford is currently 4-5 this year at the team’s No. 1 singles spot after posting a 15-5 record l

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