Using Plugin data for a template variable

I'm using alden bates' Pagination plugin, and attempting to use the <MTPAPageNum> as a variable. I have been able to use the <MTPAPageNum> to spit out the correct page by using <$mt:Var name="pagenum"$> , however when i try to use an if/then statement to do something different on the first category page than the subsequent category pages, it doesn't work.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks! Code is below.

<mt:SetVars>

    pagenum=<MTPAPageNum>

    </mt:SetVars>

<$mt:Var name="pagenum"$>

<mt:If name="pagenum">

    this is page 1

<mt:Else>

    this is something other than page 1

</mt:If>