The Valparaiso University tennis program and head coach Bob Modesto have announced the team awards for the 2023-24 campaign.
Fifth-year senior Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) has been named the team’s Most Valuable Player, while Lillian Kelly (Fullerton, Calif. / Fullerton Union) was tabbed Most-Improved Player and Moira Silva (Houston, Texas / Houston Tennis Academy) earned the “Valpo Award,” which is presented to the individual who best exemplifies work ethic, attitude, determination, passion, being a great teammate and being teachable and coachable. In addition, Elizabeth Sobieski (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego) earned the Team Academic Award.
Sobieski finished her sophomore year with a perfect cumulative grade point average of 4.00 while studying biology and chemistry. Czerwonka earned the team’s MVP Award for the fourth consecutive season. This year, she racked up 25 singles wins, the second most in a single season in program history, while surpassing the career program records for both singles and doubles triumphs.
Kelly went 7-2 in the team’s last 10 matches of the season and earned her way into the singles lineup with her play late in the year. She went 5-1 in dual matches including a 4-1 conference record. Silva repeated as a winner of the prestigious Valpo Award.
The program posted a double-figure win total for the third straight year after previously not having recorded 10 wins or more in a single season since 2007. The team has won 32 matches over the last three seasons and has also thrived in the classroom, earning the Valparaiso University Team Academic Award in each of those years.
