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TACOMA, Wash. - Throughout the rest of the semester, GoLutes.com will profile the Pacific Lutheran University senior student-athletes involved in spring sports that had their seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's installment features PLU men's tennis student-athlete Ryan Adams.

After winning Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year, Ryan Adams continued to have a fun and successful athletic career on the Lute tennis team.
 

Hometown: Olympia, Wash.

Career Highlights: 14 wins at No. 1 singles 7 wins at No. 1/No. 2 doubles NWC Freshman of the Year 2nd Team All-NWC

Adams has played tennis since he was four years-old, and is now a personal trainer. Playing tennis at PLU has helped him hone his leadership skills and taught him how to motivate people who are unmotivated. As an athlete himself, he learned how to push himself and persevere.
 
In regards to his teammates and coaches, Adams said, "they have prepared me for life and how to communicate well." He has many memories from his time as a Lute athlete, but the one that stands out is bonding with teammates on their training trip to California.
 
The Olympia, Washington native played two seasons for the Lutes, earning Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors and NWC Freshman of the Year in 2016-2017, a season that also saw Adams advance to the round of 16 at the ITA Northwest Regional. Adams took the next two seasons off before competing again with the Lutes in 2020. Playing both seasons at the No. 1 singles position, Adams racked up a 14-12 career record, helping the Lutes race out to a 4-2 record before the season was shut down this spring.
 
Outside of athletics, Adams had the opportunity to present his research at the PLU Undergraduate Research Symposium and had a paper published on LuteBizLaw. In the community he participated in Big Brothers, Big Sisters charity events and a charity event for Cystic Fibrosis.
 
"I truly enjoyed working with Ryan," said Head Coach John Campbell. "He worked hard and competed hard, leading by example. He also was very coachable which is sometimes rare for a player of his caliber. Ryan is one of the top players who ever played at PLU!"
 
Adams will be graduating with a degree in Business Administration, and plans to attend a master's program for business.