By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Alan Schneider
Nickname: Al
School: Notre Dame Academy
Sports: Boys’ tennis, soccer
Parents: Paul and Nicole Schneider
Alan Schneider is a Notre Dame Academy senior on the tennis and soccer teams.
As a freshman, Schneider and his older brother Will won three doubles matches to finish third overall at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 State Tennis Tournament in Madison.
After having his sophomore season canceled due to COVID-19, Schneider made the successful switch to singles, qualifying for the WIAA Division 1 state tennis tournament.
You’ve had great results making it to two individual state tennis tournaments. What’s your goal this season?
“I hope to return to state individually and with my teammates.”
What have you learned in your time at Notre Dame?
“Hard work in school and sports pays off. It’s shown by how much a person improves.”
Forehand or backhand?
“Backhand.”
What’s your most memorable tennis moment?
“Playing in the semifinal match at state my freshman year with my brother Will. It was championship Saturday.”
Would you rather walk 50 miles or run a marathon?
“Run a marathon.”
What are a couple of your favorite drills you like to work on in practice?
“Sixes and touch the fence.”
How fast can you serve?
“About 80 mph.”
What are your college aspirations?
“To attend Northwestern University. I could play club tennis or soccer.”
Talk about one thing where you helped someone on the tennis court.
“I help teammates deal with things mentally before a match.”
What’s your leadership style in soccer?
“Someone who cares about the good of the team, rather than me. I make sure the whole team is respectful and playing fair.”
How do you stay in a match mentally when you’ve dropped three or four consecutive games?
“Recognize my opponent is outplaying me and focus on how to reverse the match.”
Talk about your racquets.
“I carry two Solinco with me.”
What’s one thing other teammates or coaches don’t know about you?
“I enjoy being outside, no matter how cold or warm.”
Country, pop or rap?
“Country.”
Talk about the differences between playing singles and doubles.
“Doubles can be more strategic in where you are on the court, while singles focuses more on ball placement.”
A huge angle or slapper down the line for a winner?
“A slapper down the line.”
Clay or grass?
“Clay.”
Who’s your favorite tennis player?
“Nick Kyrgios.”
What’s your most embarrassing tennis moment?
“Forgetting to switch sides in a match with all the spectators screaming about it.”
The ideal temperature to play in?
“About 65 degrees.”
If you could take off in your vehicle tomorrow and go anywhere, what would be your destination?
“Montana or Canada.”