For the first time in over a decade, St. Olaf Women’s Tennis is 9-0, including a 6-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) record.
Meets consist of six singles matches and three doubles matches. Thus far, the six players with the most singles appearances are all at least juniors in standing: Olha Zubarieva ’25, Jane Spalding ’25, Fiona O’Flaherty ’25, Sarah Clark ’25, Alexandra Berns ’26, and Emma Clift ’26. Spalding and O’Flaherty, playing second and third singles, respectively, have had particularly hot starts, both currently with 10-1 records. For doubles, the combinations of Zubarieva-Spalding (8-2) and O’Flaherty-Berns (9-2) have been dominant.
In an interview with The Olaf Messenger, Clift cited this experience as important to the team’s early-season success.
“Our team has the most experience it’s had in the past few years, and that’s really helped us pull off close wins”, said Clift.
This experience has benefits both on and off the court. After spending the last few years together as a team, players know how to support each of their teammates.
“We’re able to work together really well”, said Clift, “and we know what each player needs and how they want to be supported on and off the court.”
Tennis can be isolating — ask anybody who’s played the sport, and they will talk about the mental challenges of playing a mostly individual sport. But St. Olaf Women’s Tennis is a team for a reason. The support each player gives to each other during matches and practices has helped keep team morale high, which has helped with the team’s success.
“When I’m on the court, [I’m] feeling the support of everyone who’s not on the court”, said Clift. “And then when I’m cheering on my teammates, it’s just giving them as much energy as possible, which is equally important, I think, to actively playing.”
This energy is consistent throughout the team.
“We’re a pretty energized team. We have a lot of big personalities, so there’s never a dull moment.”
Women’s Tennis head coach, Joey Kronzer ’16, now in his second season as head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams, has put a particular emphasis on energy.
“He’s huge on just energy, crazy energy”, said Clift.
Whether it’s leading intense practices or shouting at players to put up their knees during matches, Kronzer’s energetic coaching style has translated to his players. Starting matches with intensity and energy is itself a strategy: doubles matches come first, so if the Oles can win at least two of these three matches, the pressure lessens during singles matches.
“If we can get our momentum going in doubles and then be up 3-0 in the match, that’s a big deal, as then we only have to win in two singles points”, said Clift.
With a talented core and an indomitable team spirit and energy, St. Olaf Women’s Tennis shows no signs of slowing. Following spring break, the Oles take on Carleton College at home on April 9.
