The Valparaiso University tennis program has announced the signing of two individuals who will join the team for the 2024-25 season as Brynn Steven (Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll) and Naomi Lalonde (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) are poised to compete for head coach Bob Modesto.

A two-time qualifier for Canadian Nationals (2022, 2023), Lalonde won five matches without dropping a set to reach the third round in 2023. She qualified for the main draw of the Eddie Herr International Championships in 2022.

“On the recruiting trail, we are trying to recruit work ethic,” Modesto said. “I had a great feeling as soon as I met her that she is bringing to the table the type of work ethic that we seek. She received a glowing endorsement from (tennis legend and former world No. 1 tennis player) Chris Evert, and that is a pretty good person to have speak highly of you. Chris saw the same thing I saw in Naomi, and we expect her to have a great collegiate career and get better throughout her time at Valpo.”

Lalonde lived in Taiwan until age 12 and speaks fluent Mandarin (Chinese). She is an honor roll student.

“I am excited to play alongside some really great teammates and coaches next year,” Lalonde said. “The campus at Valpo is gorgeous and the people are awesome. I’m looking forward to a fantastic four years.”

Steven was the Class 5A Kansas state champion as a junior and senior after finishing as the state runner-up as a sophomore and placing fourth as a freshman.

“Whenever you have a state champion that is coming into your program, you know they’ve been in the arena where they can handle the pressure,” Modesto said. “We’re looking forward to great things from her, partly because we love recruiting state champions. We can’t wait to see what she’ll accomplish here at Valpo.”

In addition to tennis, Steven played basketball from kindergarten through her junior year of high school, starting on the varsity team as a sophomore and junior and helping the team to the state finals as a junior.  

“I picked Valpo because of the great atmosphere that surrounded the school when I was there,” Steven said. “I quickly clicked with the girls and coaches. I’m able to achieve my goal of playing Division-I tennis and have plenty of new opportunities to learn and grow, both in tennis and in my personal life.”