By Ken Hansard

Chanute High School tennis player and student-athlete Rylee
Smith spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.

VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Smith: My personal goal for the year was to hit 100 wins, and I did that!

VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Smith: My favorite athletic memory is hitting my 100 wins with all my favorite people
watching me.

VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Smith: The teammate that left the biggest impression on me was Ella. She is younger
than me and reminds me so much of myself when I watch her play. When she
encounters a hard match, she comes to me, and I get the opportunity to help her
understand and feel better. This is very special to me as I would love to be a tennis
coach one day.

VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Smith: My favorite part of being on the tennis team was all the girls that I played with
and the friendships that were built between us. I was able to make so many connections
with girls and have so much support from them.

VYPE SPORTS: What clubs or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Smith: I am a part of the tennis team, the National Honor Society, and I am undecided
on what other activities I will do this year. I am involved in this because I love all the
people involved in these activities.

VYPE SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Smith: Tennis has taught me that those who work hard will achieve more than those
who take the easy way out.

VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you? Smith: The best advice that has been given to me is from my aunt. She told me that
holding on to the past hurts the future.

VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Smith: I am inspired by my mom and dad who were very good tennis players and who
won many state titles.

VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shout out or say thank you to
anyone you wish.
Smith: I would like to shout out to my dad, who spent countless hours trying to improve
my game and make me better. I would like to shout out to my mom, who wanted more
happiness for me than I did. I would like to recognize my grandma, who came to every
single match of my high school career. And finally, I want to give a shout out to my
grandpa, who never failed to tell me he was proud of me!