Ryan's parents are Alaine and Jack Shane. He has an older brother, Justin, who also played on the Virginia tennis team, and a younger brother named Zachary. In the summer months growing up Ryan's family would vacation toFranklin, New Hampshire; where there was a family tennis court that got good use from the Shane brothers. Ryan was part of aFairfax, Virginia tennis club that also included future Virginia tennis players,Michael Shabaz andTreat Huey.[2] Shane attendedJ. E. B. Stuart High School inFalls Church, Virginia and was a blue-chip recruit coming out of high school.
As a freshman, Shane was on a Virginia team that went undefeated and won the NCAA Championship. The championship was the first for both Virginia as well theACC.
Following his sophomore season, Shane was named second-team All-ACC. He was also announced as the ITA Atlantic Region Player to Watch.[3]
During his junior year, Shane helped lead Virginia to anNCAA Championship in the team tournament, playing at #1 singles and doubles. Six days later, Shane defeatedNoah Rubin 3–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–1, to capture theNCAA Men's Singles title. He is the second Virginia player to win the singles tournament, afterSomdev Devvarman did so in 2007 and 2008.[4] Shane was named first-team All-ACC following a season where he posted a 27–8 record in singles.[5]