WPIAL Alum Q&A – Nina Barbano

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 3, 2016 | 4:35 PM

Competing in tennis at the college level requires tremendous talent, and doing so at a high level in both singles and doubles is even more impressive. That’s exactly what Nina Barbano, a former standout at Bethel Park, is now doing for Slippery Rock’s program. For that reason, she’s the feature of this week’s WPIAL Alum Q&A.

With the Black Hawks, Barbano was a four-time letterwinner on the court. The diminutive player enjoyed individual accolades, but also helped Bethel Park reach the team postseason each year during her tenure.

As a freshman, she secured bids in the WPIAL Class AAA singles and doubles tournament, as well as team postseason action. After appearing in the singles and team tournament again as a sophomore, she enjoyed her greatest success as a senior in 2013. During that campaign, she again earned bids in the postseason in the singles, doubles and team tournaments. Barbano was also the runner-up in the Section 5 qualifying tournament.

Following her high-school career, Barbano joined the Rock’s tennis squad, and immediately slotted into the No. 2 singles position and top doubles role. Individually, she compiled a record of 15-8, leading her team in wins. On the doubles slate, she partnered with Carlo Corrochano Moracho, finishing with a mark of 10-13.

In 2015, Barbano again led Slippery Rock in singles victories, going 17-10, including 5-2 in tournament action. Moreover, she improved her mark considerably in doubles play as a sophomore, going 19-8. She shifted between the top spot and the second spot, as she played alongside Moracho, as well as Amanda Bruscemi.

Barbano is off to a hot start this year, as she’s prevailed in five of her first six singles matches. In doubles play, she’s teamed exclusively with Bruscemi, yielding a record of 4-2.

When she wasn’t on the court, Nina took time to answer questions about her strengths, why she chose Slippery Rock, and what (or who) she’d take with her to if stranded on an island.

Q: You led all singles players at Slippery Rock in wins as both a freshman and sophomore. What was key to your immediate success?

A: The key to my success was working hard and playing smart, as well as wanting to win for my teammates. Coach Matt was able to have an immediate impact on my game as a freshman, and I have improved every year. I give a lot of the credit to him for my success.

Q: What is your greatest strength as a player, and what is one area where you’d most like to improve?

A: I believe my greatest strength as a player is my style of play compared to my opponents. I tend to play smart rather than go for more. My game consists of a lot of variety. One area I’d like to improve on is being more aggressive when necessary.

Q: You play both singles and doubles regularly. What adjustments do you have to make between the two?

A: One major adjustment I have to make in doubles is being aggressive first before the opponent gets into their game. When it comes to singles, I am able to play my own style of play compared to the aggressiveness of coming to the net in a doubles match. Also, in singles, I have more of my own strategy, compared to doubles, where we have to play with a team strategy.

Q: Do you have any different mindset or approach playing in the No. 1 position compared to the No. 2 position, either in singles or doubles?

A: I would have the same mindset if I was playing the No. 1 position, No. 2 position, and even No. 3 position, if I had to. My mindset is to go out there, play my hardest, and win every single match.

Q: What type of training do you do to prepare for the season? Is it mostly aimed to improve stamina and conditioning?

A: I do cardio and lift in the gym with my team, and yes, this is aimed to improve stamina because when the season rolls around, I am prepared for prolonged and fatiguing matches.

Q: How important is it to have a strong relationship with your teammates, especially your playing partners?

A: Extremely important. Even though tennis is more of an individual sport besides doubles, it is important to have a connection with all of my teammates. Having each other’s support helps encourage us to play our hardest to get a win. This is also very important to have with your partner because good chemistry is the key to winning.

Q: Most of your teammates and opponents are considerably taller than you. Does your height forces you to play differently than most other players?

A: It’s funny because you would think that it would be a big disadvantage for me, but it doesn’t have much effect on me. My coach is short as well, and he always tells me he can relate because I am mostly always playing people that are taller than me.

Q: What factors led to you attending SRU?

A: My coach and my teammates made the decision really easy when it came to choosing my school, because they made me feel comfortable and welcomed. The campus is beautiful, as well, and I knew I could see myself succeeding here at SRU. I looked at a few other options, but I knew this school was the best option for me. I am still very happy about my decision.

Q: What was your fondest memory at Bethel Park?

A: My fondest memory of Bethel Park was the new High School that was recently built. They provided us with a great facility to play tennis and train. My friends and family also had a great impact on me in high school that carried over to SRU.

Q: Was tennis always your top athletic focus, or did you play other sports?

A: I played a lot of other sports throughout my life such as softball and basketball, but I mainly started to focus on tennis when I got into the sixth grade. It had always been my favorite, and I made sure to make it my top focus.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: My major is Business – Marketing. I would like to work as a buyer at a clothing store. I enjoy the fashion industry, along with the business and marketing aspect that comes along with it.

Q: Have you had a favorite class thus far in college?

A: My favorite class so far has been Marketing. I didn’t get a chance to take a marketing class in high school. I find this to be the most interesting class I have had so far.

Q: What is your favorite way to spend free time?

A: It is very important to me to spend my free time with friends and family.

Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?

A: My favorite TV show is Vampire Diaries.

Q: If you were stranded on an island and could only have three things, what would you pick?

A: If I was stranded on an island and could only have three things, I would choose to have my mom with me, my laptop, and phone.

Tags: Bethel Park