Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics
It’s been nearly two years since JMU women’s tennis defeated rival William & Mary in the CAA Championships to claim the program’s first crown. Heading into the 2021 season, the Dukes have their eyes on the prize: repeating as conference champions.
The team was on a high going into the 2019-20 season when COVID-19 ended it prematurely. Redshirt senior Jona Roka said it was heartbreaking for her because she was a senior and was unsure what the future held for her collegiate tennis career.
Roka was able to return for a final season thanks to the NCAA spring-sport eligibility relief, which was created for athletes whose final seasons were cut short because of COVID-19. She said the decision to come back was easy because it gave her more time with her team.
“I honestly feel very blessed to have been given another opportunity to come back and finish off my season,” Roka said. “Despite not having a regular fall season and being able to actually play matches this spring, I feel quite lucky.”
Roka is one of five women on the team who were part of the 2018-19 roster, but she’s the only one who wasn’t a freshman that season. As the Dukes prepare to defend their title, they do so with an older, more experienced team led by head coach Shelley Jaudon.
“The biggest [difference] is obviously the experience that we now have,” Jaudon said. “They know what to expect, they know what we’re trying to do, so all of that helps just on a day-to-day basis.”
The team is rich in experience from women who were on the 2018-19 roster and know what it takes to be champions. It gained more experience with the transfer of redshirt sophomore Kylie Moulin, who spent two seasons at Alabama.
“It was a great atmosphere [and] energy coming on to the team after they had won the championship,” Moulin said. “I didn’t feel nervous or any pressure at all. I honestly felt like I hadn’t even transferred at all and I had been with them.”
Jaudon, who worked with Moulin at Alabama, said she fit right in with the team culture and dynamic. She credits Moulin’s strong work ethic and her experience as an SEC athlete for strengthening the team’s performance on the court.
“It only helps our team,” Jaudon said. “She brings that experience, that maturity to what we’re trying to do, and it just helps make us better.”
The women enter this season ready to defend the CAA title, but more so they’re simply excited to get back to playing the sport they love. It’s been almost two years since the team won the championship and 11 months since its last match.
“I’m just gonna enjoy the moment and enjoy being able to play tennis,” Moulin said. “My personal goal for this season is honestly just to get better and not take the season for granted.”
Having Roka on its roster for another season is a huge advantage for JMU. She’s second in program history for wins (143) and doubles points (72) and has served as a mentor and role model for her teammates because of her hard work and positive attitude.
“I think she’s gonna be a big factor in motivating [us] and just being a great leader,” Moulin said. “She does a great job leading by example, coming out to practice every single day and putting in the work, and it shows on the court in her results.”
The Dukes started their season strong, going 2-0 opening weekend as they begin the quest for another title.
Story originally published by The Breeze.
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