by Charles Awalt

When the Arizona women's tennis team wrapped up the 2014-15 season, the importance of depth was in the forefront of everyone's mind. Early injuries dulled the team's impressive 4-0 start and left the squad with only six healthy players on the roster, which is the minimum needed to compete. Despite being shorthanded, the Wildcats ended the season ranked 66th in the nation and had a 13-8 record.  

The Wildcats also made some key additions during the 14-15' campaign in preparation for the following season. The team announced the addition of one of the highest regarded recruits in program history. On Nov. 13th 2014, five-star recruit and McKinney, Texas native Camila Wesbrooks signed a national letter of intent for the 2015-16 season. Arizona continued to stockpile talent and announced that Kinga Gartner (another five-star recruit) and Sophia Thomas (a top-10 talent from England) would also be joining the team for the 2015-16 season in April.

Even though Arizona had successfully replaced the departing senior class of Laura Oldham and Brair Preston, head coach Vicky Maes knew that the team was as risk for being shorthanded once again if anything happened to someone on the now seven-person roster.

“Adding depth is always a challenge,” said Maes, “but we knew that when we landed Sam we would have someone in that position who was going to be able to compete for the win every time. It's always a relief to have someone like Sam playing for you, someone who is going to battle hard for every point.”

On Aug. 31, 2015 Maes announced that Samantha Czarniak, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, was set to join the team after transferring from Texas Tech. She had put together a 23-17 record over the course of two years with the Red Raiders, but had only played in 14 dual matches during this stretch. The addition came only a month before Arizona was set to begin fall competition, but the depth, skill, and energy brought by Czarniak paid-off almost immediately.

“The girls here and obviously the coaches were very welcoming and made my transferring process very easy,” said Czarniak, who kicked-off her career as a Wildcat by putting together a 6-4 fall record. “I think having the support from the girls was key because the transition was a little difficult in the beginning because you start comparing so many things to your old school, but I learned how to let go and start over, and once I did that I formed a really strong connection with the girls as well as Vicky and Santi (assistant coach, Santiago Lobelo).”

Just as her bond with the team grew and strengthened, so did Czarniak's play. The energy and leadership she brought combined with her successful fall campaign were enough to guarantee her a spot on the lineup to start the season. Once inserted into the lineup, Czarniak quickly solidified her place on the team by winning the first 10 matches she finished, helping Arizona start the season with a 9-3 record.

“Her maturity and commitment to being the best she can be in everything that she does is inspiring to all of us,” Maes continued.

Anyone who has ever seen Czarniak play knows that she projects energy and enthusiasm. She refuses to believe that any ball is out of reach, and as a result is often one of the last to finish playing. If her shots aren't landing or her opponent is equal in skill, Czarniak will often come out on top simply by out-working whomever she is playing. She loudly encourages her teammates on other courts and reassures them of her own success by yelling “¡Dalé!” after winning a big point.

“I think that the most valuable thing that I bring to the team is my energy,” said Czarniak. “I always try to give 100% every match and always believe in myself which I think is important. I think having self-confidence definitely helps build team-confidence.”

Even though she ended her inaugural season at Arizona with a 14-7 singles record (second-best on the team), Czarniak still sees areas in her game that she wants to improve. Having the stamina to outlast her opponent has been a great asset for her, but she has also been focusing on finding the right times to take a more offensive approach.

“This year we've been working a lot to try and get me to become a little more aggressive,” said Czarniak. “Obviously there are also a lot of improvements that I need to make in doubles play which hasn't been my strong suit so far, but knowing when to poach and when to be more aggressive is definitely something that I've been focusing on.”

Maes knows that if her soon-to-be senior couples a well-timed offense with her already impressive stamina and consistency, she will be able to make even more of an impact on the team.

“Sam works very hard and is extremely diligent about training and routine,” said Maes. “She has a few kinks here and there but she is always willing to work on her weaknesses, and that is why she has so much potential as a player.”

Czarniak knows that her head coach has big plans for her, and credits this confidence with a boost in her own self-esteem.

“Vicky has really helped boost my confidence because she has always believed in me and has always made it clear that she knew I was capable of doing things even when I doubted myself,” said Czarniak. “I think having that kind of support and knowing that your coach trusts you makes it so much easier to perform.”

The Wildcats have some big holes to fill before the 2016-2017 season. They will lose seniors Shayne Austin, who compiled the team's fourth-best singles record (14-10) playing on court two, and Inge Hendrikx, who was Czarniaks doubles partner in 13 matches. However with six players set to return as well as the signing of another five-star recruit out of New Mexico, Paris Corely, Czarniak and the Cats know that they can build off of this season.

“We all have different roles on the team,” said Czarniak, “and since Lauren and I will be the only seniors next year, I definitely think that it is important for us to show the younger girls and incoming freshman what our program represents. I know that if we lead by example our program not only stay strong, but improve as well.”