It's been three years since the B-CU women's tennis team brought home a conference championship, but when the Lady Wildcats open tournament play Thursday against Howard they'll have a secret weapon on their side.
"She's just been plowing forward since the beginning of the year," head coach Val Villucci said. "She's grown so much as a player, especially her maturity, and I think that's made the biggest difference."
Senior Matea Roki has been unstoppable in conference play this season, going a perfect 10-0 in singles and doubles play. In-fact, the Toronto-native hasn't lost a conference match in over two years as the 'Cats head into Thursday's tournament, which will take place at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Virginia.
"I don't have any doubt that I can't win or play with any player in the conference," Roki said. "This is my fourth year, so I know what to expect and what to do at certain times to win a match."
The senior has been dominant for two straight seasons, but what she's done over the past few months is even more impressive when you consider the shoes she's filling.
Last year, the 'Cats were led by the most dominant player in program history in Mina Matsuba, who is B-CU's all-time victory leader at No. 1 singles. With Matsuba gone, Villucci approached Roki during the offseason about moving to the No. 1 spot.
"I looked at her and asked if she was ready, and she paused, looked at me, and said she was," Villucci said. "That was all I needed to hear. She said those words and she meant it."
It also helped that Matsuba and Roki had grown close over the past few years, on and off the court.
"We were doubles partners all of last year, and roommates on the road so we had a great bond," Roki said. "Playing beside her for two years gave me inspiration."
Even with Roki's dominance this spring, it's been an uphill for the Wildcats. B-CU has played most of the season shorthanded with just five players, meaning the No. 6 singles point has been forfeited every match.
Still, winning a championship shorthanded is something the program has done before — in 2001, when the Lady 'Cats beat Hampton 4-2 in the championship for their third consecutive conference title.
This year's team also seems to have a knack for overcoming the odds. After an 0-5 start, B-CU has rallied for an 8-2 finish, and enter Thursday as the No. 2 seed.
"It's something we've had to learn to deal with mentally," Villucci said. "We have to get on the court and be ready to fight for every single point out there. It's a hard-working, no quit team, and I think we're ready. I told them earlier this year that they'd have to take their game to a whole new level to compete, and, so far, they've done that."