Diverse talent aims to help Moraine Valley women's tennis repeat winning tradition in 2015

The Moraine Valley Community College women’s tennis team may have only one returner from the 2014 championship squad that competed at nationals, but the diversity of talent among the newcomers looks poised for a repeat.

All-Conference player Agnieszka Szudy (Stagg) is back for another round of success after closing out her first year with the Cyclones at the national tournament in Arizona this past May. “She’s the captain and stepping up as far as conditioning and motivating everyone. She has nationals experience, was part of a stellar team and is carrying over the good habits that brought us so much success last season,” said head Coach Nicole Selvaggio, starting her third season at the helm.

Szudy is familiar with many of her teammates from high school tennis encounters. The new crew includes Elizabeth Doory (Reavis), Kimberly Fields (Argo), Alexis Kasper (Reavis), Haley Reiher (Chicago Christian), Breanna Vollan (Chicago Christian), and Azizah Zayed (Reavis). “The girls bring a lot of diverse talent. We’re feeding off each other and it benefits everyone,” Selvaggio said. “We’re not just a team, it’s a family.”

The group is gelling and taking the coaching to heart. They’re ready to fight for every point, especially since Selvaggio emphasizes the mental aspect of the game. Coming from a 2014 season that included championships in both the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region IV Division I and trip to nationals, the Cyclones are looking to take care of business.

“We have a winning tradition, and I want to keep that momentum going. We were undefeated in conference last year and have a target on our back, but we’ll take it. I always say pressure is a privilege,” Selvaggio said. “Even though we’re a younger, newer team, we’re already bringing it day-in and day-out at practice. We want to shine at conference and regionals and make it back to nationals. They want to get better and want to win.”

Visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics or follow the Cyclones on Facebook at morainevalleycyclones and Twitter @MVCyclones.