Zawacki-Woods Excited for 2017 Season

The Hokies open their 2017 season Saturday with matches against Troy and East Tennessee State

January 20, 2017

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women’s tennis team opens its 2017 season on Saturday, Jan. 21, with matches against Troy and East Tennessee State at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center on the university’s campus.

Admission is free, with the match against the Trojans beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a match vs. ETSU at 4 p.m.

In her 14th season at the helm of the Hokies, head coach Terry Ann Zawacki-Woods will look to blend season veterans with talented newcomers for the 2017 season. A pair of nationally ranked return to lead the team, and Zawacki-Woods will look for veterans to take over starting roles. In addition, several true freshmen could see early action in maroon and orange uniform.

Junior Caroline Daxhelet paces the Hokie roster with a No. 47 singles ranking. The Arlon, Belgium, native, who was ranked No. 96 in the fall, complied an 8-4 singles record and picked up two victories over top-50 singles matchups.

Additionally, Daxhelet and junior Elena Cerezo-Codina earned a No. 59 national doubles ranking after a stellar fall season paired on the court. The Hokie duo recorded a 5-3 mark and became the first pair in program history to qualify for the main doubles draw at the ITA Women’s All-American Championships. The doubles tandem recorded three straight victories and was one-of-four teams in a 32-team field that advanced to the main event.

Read on as coach Zawacki-Woods discusses her team goals, leadership tactics and keys to success for the upcoming season.

Talk about your team. What is the best way to describe this particular group?

Coach Terry Ann Zawacki-Woods: They are unique. It is hard to put one word on them because they are all so different. They are all very competitive, and they all have a lot of passion out there. All 14 of them have a special talent and gift. We talk a lot about leadership, and we want them all to take on a leadership role. They each bring something different. We have one that is mentally tough. We one that is extremely organized. We have another one that really brings the fun to the team. We have another one that really helps unify the team in everything that she does. We have another one that holds others accountable and has that maturity. I think with so many different personalities out there, it definitely makes us a well-rounded team. There is so much diversity on the team. They all come from different cultures, backgrounds and countries. We all learn from one another. Everyone brings something different to the table. It’s a learning process, and it is exciting. It continues to make everyone better.

What are your goals/expectations for the upcoming season?

TZ: Our main goal is to keep getting better every day that we are out on the court, with every practice and every match that we play. It’s a process going through the whole season. The main goal for our team is to continue to improve and get better throughout every day that we are on the courts.

With the start of the 2017 season right around the corner, how would you access the progress the team has made throughout the fall season? Are you pleased with the team’s consistency level to this point?

TZ: I felt like our team continued to get better throughout the fall season. I think with every match we played and every tournament we competed in, we saw certain improvements in each individual. Overall, it was a very positive fall as a team. I thought we finished very strong. On that same note, I think they really grew together as a team, especially with so many newcomers coming in. We are looking to build upon that. They have a semester under their belt now. The newcomers have adjusted and have gotten used to Virginia Tech and college tennis. I am looking forward to them continuing to make those strides and grow as a team.

The junior duo of Elena Cerezo-Codina and Caroline Daxhelet had a stellar fall season on the court, as the tandem earned a No. 59 national doubles ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Have you seen a new fire in their eyes throughout the preseason? What makes a good doubles partner?

TZ: They have great chemistry together. They are very close friends. They also get along really well, so I think they complement each other personality wise on the court. I think they really respect each other’s games too. They have been a team that we have been working on for the last couple of years, and it has been great to see them finally come together and have that success. I think once they started having some success, it took a little bit of pressure off them. They have fun playing together, and that showed in so many of the results that they had. It has been exciting to see them get the national recognition, and I am looking forward to see what they continue to do together, especially with the confidence they have built with one another.

This year’s group has a solid mix of returners and newcomers. Who are the key returners, and how does the depth of this team help with consistent performances in the long run?

TZ: I think the depth is very important because they continue to push each other. We have so many strong players, and they only make each other better throughout practice. The support that they give each other during competition and dual matches is incredible. To have teammates stand behind you is great, and we have that with such a large team. We have that good amount of support, so it’s definitely going to be very exciting. Again, we have a bunch of handworkers, so I think they influence each other to continue to work hard and remain positive. It is definitely exciting to see that.

In terms of the key returners, I think there are so many. It is hard to pick one or two, but of course our seniors with Francesca (Fusinato) and Sansitha (Nandakumar). They both have a ton of experience. They’ve been through a lot with these team. They’ve been a part of the history making, and they’ve really taken this team to another level, so I am really looking forward to them continuing to be key players for us and provide that senior leadership. I think our junior class came in and helped changed the culture of the program as well, and they continue to teach that to the newcomers. With Caroline (Daxhelet) having her highest singles rankings, we are looking for her to build upon that this spring. Elena (Cerezo-Codina) also had a successful fall campaign. She had a great tournament in Florida and has some nationally ranked wins under her belt, so I think she is going to come in and show what she is really capable of. Katherine (Butler) has been very strong for us as well. She’s always had successful seasons in ACC play. We will continue to lean upon every one of them.

The program has been very excited about this freshman class. What sort of contributions are you expecting from these seven players this season?

TZ: They are all so talented, and they all bring something unique and different to the program. It has been fun to see them adjust and make an impact. I think Natalie (Novotna) had a great fall season as a freshman by making it to the semifinals at regionals in both singles and doubles. As a freshman, I think that is a great accomplishment. I think she really stood out in terms of the class and what she was able to do. We are looking forward to really big things from all of them, and we are looking forward to each of them adding their own unique element to the team.

What lessons can last year’s underclassmen pass on to this season’s freshmen and transfers that will help them compete right away? Does anyone stand out to you early on?

TZ: I think they all need to lean upon each other for a lot of different reasons, from balancing academics, tennis and a social life to adjusting not having parents around every day as well as helping one another with rides, class scheduling and traveling on the weekends. Once we start to get into the spring season, we are traveling a lot. Every weekend is filled with home or away matches. Even though we are at home, it can still be exhausting. They have to learn how to balance all of that. We really lean on the upperclassmen to help them through that and make sure that everyone is on the same page and that they are getting done what they need to get done. They have to stay organized as much as possible.

Even though tennis is very much a team sport at the collegiate level, it is an individual sport as well. With such a small group, what is the comradery like with this squad? How does everyone come together as a team?

TZ: I think our chemistry has always been strong, and I think it is one of those things that we always try to emphasize and make a priority. With a small group, you need to have that. Tennis is an individual sport in juniors, and when you come to college, you learn to make it more into a team sport. It is really important that they bond and make it a team-first atmosphere. I do think it is strong, and it is something that we are really proud of. We want to continue to be strong with that because I think it makes a difference with your team’s success. The closer the team is, the more successful the team will be on the tennis court.

This year’s schedule features minimal, stress-free travel and an impressive list of teams who will travel to compete at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center. What do you like about the 2017 slate and how will the challenges help this team develop and progress toward the postseason?

TZ: I really like our schedule because it is very strong. I love our conference. Every team in the ACC continues to get better. It continues to get deep throughout, one through 15, so it is always a challenge. I think it really makes all of us confront that challenge and work harder. We have to make sure that we step up every day and give it our best.

The Tech Athletics Department enjoyed a very successful fall season. How excited is your team to add to that success?

TZ: What excites me about this team is the student-athletes on it. We have a great group. I think they are all unique, and they all have amazing talents. I am excited to see what their future holds for them, too. I want them to reach their potential and really show what they are capable of doing. With each of them having such unique talents, it really makes our team strong. I am excited to see what is ahead for Virginia Tech tennis, and I think we have a great season ahead of us. I am looking forward to taking one day at a time and seeing what lies ahead.

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