Stern sophomore Victoria Wang is set to close out the tennis team’s fall season at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Cup in Rome, GA starting on Oct. 16. Wang is the sole member of both the men’s and women’s teams to qualify for the tournament.
“I wish there were more members of our team coming to the ITA Cup, but it just motivates me to do even better to represent our school and our team,” Wang said.
Wang’s appearance is her second in a row after she played in the 2024 doubles competition with partner Siona Vallabhaneni. The duo dropped their doubles match on the last day of the competition. Former teammate and 2025 graduate Jimena Menendez also participated in the tournament. She did well early on in the weekend but eventually fell to Emory University to end her run.
Wang, playing in the singles competition, was the only Violet with a winning record in 2024, but fell just short of qualifying for the finals with a 2-1 record. The 2024 ITA Cup was a learning experience for Wang, who had never played on such a large stage before.
“In regionals, the players are good, but at nationals it’s up at an even higher level,” Wang said. “It was good to see what I need to improve on, and how I need to be competing.”
Wang took the loss in finals not as a setback, but as an opportunity to better her game. She’s been drilling nonstop on the courts to prepare for the upcoming challenge. In addition to team practices, Wang keeps up with her fitness by lifting weights and rallying one-on-one with anyone she can find with free time.
Heading into this year, health has been a priority for Wang. She played through two broken ribs in the spring season after getting sick, and is determined not to repeat that mistake. The extended season and tough competition in the spring makes for a difficult year for the tennis team, and Wang hopes to tackle it with ample rest and personal care.
Wang credits head tennis coach Horace Choy’s calm presence during matches for the ease in which she’s playing this year. She’s also focused on improving her mental game, in addition to the physical workouts.
“This year, I do notice a difference,” Wang said. “Even if I lose the first set, I’m able to push through mentally and physically, and I’m really proud of myself for being able to do that. It takes so many years, so many matches and so much practice to come to those types of moments.”
For Wang and the rest of her teammates, the long-term goal is another shot at the national title. Wang’s success early on in her college career shows immense promise for the Violets after the departure of the class of 2025, including Menendez, who holds the record for career wins in NYU women’s tennis. She made it to a place no other Violet had gone before — the NCAA Division III singles semifinals.
Beyond the ITA Cup, the players look forward to the off season before competition ramps up in the spring. The months leading up to the end of the academic year mark some of the toughest games for the Violets as they gear up for the UAA and NCAA championships. Both the men’s and women’s teams had large graduating classes — with six from the men’s team and four from the women’s team — and the spring season gives the younger players a chance to show what they can do with a few months of collegiate-level matches under their belts.
While tennis is largely an individual sport, team connection is a major factor in the Violets’ success. Particularly for first-years, who are learning how to navigate the world of college athletics, guidance from the upperclassmen is essential as they prepare for the second half of the season.
“I remember when there were times last year where I felt very alone and overwhelmed, because everything was new,” Wang said. “And Jimena was always there for me. I want to be like that for the girls coming in.”
Contact Kiran Komanduri at [email protected].