Noah Ryder has found a home at Mayo High School

May 9—ROCHESTER — Noah Ryder was looking for something bigger, with more choices.

So, following his freshman year, he left Schaeffer Academy for Rochester Mayo, a school whose population is about 20 times bigger than Schaeffer's and its enrollment of 78 students in grades 9-12.

"Schaeffer just got to be too small," Ryder said. "And I liked the harder, challenging classes at Mayo."

He's also liked the tennis at Mayo, which happens to boast one of the top programs annually in the state. Schaeffer was not only losing a valuable member of its student body when he left, but its best tennis player.

Now he is at Mayo, where he holds the distinction of being its No. 1 singles player. The tennis isn't why the 5-foot-5 Ryder came over, but it's been a nice element. Ryder has fit in seamlessly with the Spartans team. He's done that after having to sit out of varsity competition last year as a transfer student, though he practiced with the team.

"Yeah, I wouldn't say the tennis was an overriding factor (to shifting to Mayo)," said Ryder, who manages to make up for his lack of size with a big game and plenty of quickness. "But it was a nice perk. I like this team a lot. We have a good community and everybody knows everybody."

If Ryder seems a familiar Mayo tennis name it's because it is. His older sister Keely starred for the Mayo girls team until graduating last spring. She helped the Spartans win three straight team state titles and also brought home a championship last year, teaming with Malea Diehn to win the Class 2A doubles state championship.

Their mother, Mabel Ryder, says the two are very different in their approach. One is excitable — Noah — the other even-keeled — Keely.

Keely is currently at elite academic institution Dartmouth, where she plays club tennis.

"Noah has a lot of emotion, on and off he court," Mabel said. "And I think that is part of what makes him good, that drive. Noah is very ad-lib and loose and likes to push boundaries. As they are getting older, that complement and that balance is coming forward. So they get along. And they are enjoying each other and their personalities a lot more these days."

Mayo coach Jeff Demaray is certainly enjoying the presence of Noah on his team.

"You know, he's a heck of a tennis player," said Demaray, who is particularly impressed with a backhand that Ryder can rip. "And I think he's only going to get better because he really enjoys the game of tennis. He takes a lot of lessons and plays in a lot of USTA tournaments. And one thing I really like about him is he shows positive energy when he's playing his matches. That's something we really focus on."

Ryder, who used to also play soccer, has abandoned that for a tennis-only sports existence (he also gets in some pickleball with friends). He plays tennis nearly 365 days a year.

Ryder, a left-hander whose best stroke is his two-handed backhand, resonated well with tennis. He likes that his success or lack of it — as long as he's playing singles — rests with himself.

"I kind of like that it's all on you," said Ryder, who along with his Mayo teammates, will begin play in the Section 1, Class 2A team tournament on Monday. "I kind of like it just being me on the court."

And Ryder isn't bothered or held back by his lack of size. At least not much. He sure doesn't use it as an excuse.

"I would say I would like to be taller, but it helps me to be faster," said Ryder, who's dropped just three matches this season. "There are pros and cons of being short but I think it doesn't hold me back much."

Ryder is loving his tennis existence. Especially some days.

"I just enjoy playing it, especially the good days," he said. "I like how mentally challenging it can be."