MOBILE, Ala. – Three-time all-Sun Belt Conference selection Laura Valkova from the women's tennis team sat down to record this week's episode of "Inside JagNation" — the official podcast of the University of South Alabama Department of Athletics — prior to the start of the league tournament.
Going into her final SBC Championship, the senior from Piestany, Slovakia, has compiled a 76-36 (67.9%) overall singles record while going 76-24 (76%) in doubles action; those figures include a 34-9 (79.1%) mark at No. 2 singles and 35-13 (72.9%) record at No. 1 doubles in the spring. Her efforts have helped the Jaguars go 77-16 (82.8%) during her time with the program, highlighted by a 21-3 record as a sophomore when USA won the conference tournament and participated in an NCAA Regional.
After finishing 21-6 a year ago after returning to the Sun Belt Tournament final, the Jags have a 19-4 mark entering postseason play this spring. Valkova — who sat out the fall campaign due to injury — is 14-7 in singles and 15-4 in doubles in 2017.
Click
here for Episode 37 of "Inside JagNation"
In this week's podcast Valkova explains when and why she began playing tennis, how she first heard from Jaguar head coach Jaco Keyser and the decision to attend USA without making an official visit to campus. She also discusses making the adjustment to the team format used by the NCAA in the sport, transitioning from playing primarily on a clay surface in her youth to hard courts, and how competing at a high level in practice helps both the individual and the team.
Valkova, who is set to graduate from South next month, talks about her future plans as well.
Click
here for "Inside JagNation" archives
To download free episodes of "Inside JagNation" interested individuals can search for "South Alabama Jaguars" on iTunes.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
