At long last, the Valparaiso University women’s tennis team is set to take the court in a match situation for the first time since March 4, 2020 as second-year head coach Bob Modesto’s team opens the 2021 spring season this weekend.

Last season came to a screeching halt when COVID-19 interrupted a year that had seen Valpo make positive strides as a program. The team took additional steps forward during fall practices, and now the measurables of wins and losses will come into play beginning on Sunday.  

“It really does make practices a lot different,” Modesto said. “In the fall, we were practicing but we didn’t have any competition, so naturally there was a feeling of limbo. Now, we’re practicing with a purpose and practicing with focus. We’re fired up and ready to compete. We had great fall practices, but it’s kind of like studying but never taking a test. Now, we get to take tests, and we’re pumped for the opportunity.”

Senior

A fixture at the top of Valpo’s lineup throughout her career, senior Claire Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) is penciled into the top singles spot again this season while also playing No. 1 doubles. She enters the year already ninth in the program record book (since 2000) in career doubles wins with 40.

“Claire’s fight is second-to-none,” Modesto said. “She’s going to leave everything out on the court and give you everything that she has. I’ve never seen her give less than 100 percent. When you have a senior like that, it makes it enjoyable. Her drive, competitiveness and willingness to win are second to none.”

With the NCAA granting an additional year of eligibility for all 2019-2020 spring student-athletes, Czerwonka has expressed plans to return as a fifth-year senior in 2021-22. But the first order of business is this season as the team captain will look to continue a successful career, during which she has been part of the Missouri Valley Conference Doubles Team of the Week four times and on two occasions received MVC Singles Player of the Week honors.

Junior

Another experienced member of Valpo’s roster this season is junior Isabella Schoolcraft (Bargersville, Ind. / Center Grove), who won seven singles matches and 12 doubles matches during her sophomore season. She figures to provide strength at the No. 5 singles position while also playing No. 2 doubles.

“Bella just keeps getting better and working harder,” Modesto said. “A lot of times tennis players peak as a freshman or sophomore in college. Bella is continually getting better through hard work. She has some of her best matches in front of her, and we’re looking forward to a great season from Bella. She is a quiet leader on the team.”

Sophomores

After making an immediate impact on the program as freshmen last season, sophomore standouts Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy), Demi Jhaveri (Westlake, Ohio / Westlake) and Amanda Tabanera (Valencia, Calif. / Valencia) are poised to continue that success this year.

Olivia, a team captain, will partner with her older sister at No. 1 doubles while also competing at second singles. She went 13-9 in singles and 13-11 in doubles last year, leading the team in doubles triumphs during her freshman campaign.

Jhaveri recorded an 11-9 singles record and 11-8 doubles mark during her maiden collegiate voyage. She is competing for a position in Valpo’s lineup in both singles and doubles.

Tabanera led the team with 16 singles wins during her freshman season. She is expected to see time at third and fourth singles while also playing No. 2 doubles alongside Schoolcraft.

“Our sophomores provide excitement for our whole group because they had such great freshman years,” Modesto said. “We’re looking forward to seeing great things from them this year as well. Olivia is even better today than she was a year ago. Amanda is a tremendous competitor and we can’t wait to see what she will accomplish. Demi improves each and every day. All three are key members of our team.”

Freshmen

After playing No. 1 singles all four years of high school including a flawless 28-0 regular season record in 2019, Mia Bertino (Lockport, Ill. / Joliet Catholic) is in her first year in Valpo’s program.

Fellow freshman Allison McConnell (Westland, Mich. / Churchill) was an all-state honoree as a freshman and junior in high school and was named Detroit Free Press Girls Tennis Player of the Year as a sophomore. In addition, Maya Mills (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington South) has joined the program as a walk-on this season.

Bertino is expected to be in the lineup at No. 3 doubles and will see time at both No. 3 and No. 4 singles. McConnell is competing for positions in both the doubles and singles lineups.

“This is my first recruiting class, so I’m very excited to watch our freshmen compete,” Modesto said. “My goal for each one of them is to make sure they have a positive experience and make sure they’re as excited to compete for Valpo as I am to coach Valpo. Mia has made an immediate impact. She plays with a philosophy that I like, which is competing and making sure you don’t beat yourself. She has made our team better instantly.”

Looking Ahead

The Brown & Gold open the season on Sunday with a visit to Muncie, Ind. to take on Ball State. Valpo is scheduled to host 10 home matches during the nonconference slate with the home opener slated for Saturday, Feb. 6. Missouri Valley Conference action begins at UNI on April 2.

“Some teams are strong at one and two and fall off, or they are weak at the top of the lineup but have depth,” Modesto said. “However, I feel that we have both strength at the top of our lineup and depth throughout, so I’m optimistic about our chances going into the season. We play a good, competitive nonconference schedule to prepare us for the Missouri Valley Conference, and we have a lot of home matches this year, which makes it even more exciting.”