Zalukar, Senior Class Hope to 'Finish Strong and Get the Ring'

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"Will she recognize me?"

It's August 2021, and Sara Zalukar is about to meet Emilia Valentinsson in person for the first time in a hotel lobby near the Cincinnati airport. The two freshmen from Europe are en route to join the Miami University tennis team, and Zalukar doesn't quite know what to expect.

After all, due to the COVID pandemic and the associated restrictions during her recruiting process, she has never met her new teammates. She's never been in the same room with her new coach. And she's never visited her new home.

But, as it turns out, Zalukar had nothing to worry about.

Emilia Valentinsson and Sara Zalukar — *from L: Valentinsson and Zalukar*

The Zagreb, Croatia native clicked right away with Valentinsson, a product of Malmo, Sweden. They carpooled to Oxford together, set eyes on Miami's campus for the first time and met up with head coach Ricardo Rosas, where they made a positive first impression.

"Usually you hear from players, 'Hey, I'm coming in – who's going to pick me up?'" Rosas remembered. "Sara and Emilia knew exactly. They already had arranged everything; they were very mature in knowing what to do."

"I was nervous but I was excited," said Zalukar. "It was a week before classes started, and we came for the international students' orientation….

"I was thinking, 'I can't believe that I am here.'…but then everything turned out really good, so I'm happy about it!"

The rest is history.

Zalukar and Valentinsson became regular doubles partners by the end of their freshman season and have teamed up to compete in 84 matches (47-37) over the past four years as a pair, including capturing the doubles title at the first-ever MAC Fall Championships in October 2024.

By their sophomore year, they were also roommates. "We complement each other on the court, AND we're together all the time!", Zalukar laughed. "We're like best friends; we always say it's crazy how Coach brought us together. We didn't know each other at all before coming here, and then we just clicked."

And from day one, they've fit right into a class that now (as seniors) makes up more than half of the RedHawks' 2024-25 nine-person roster.

Sara Zalukar

Five student-athletes, from five different home countries, uniting to help Miami Tennis stake a claim to the top spot in the Mid-American Conference.

The RedHawks —who have finished .500 or better in conference play each of the past four years— won a regular-season title in Zalukar's freshman season, posting an 8-2 mark to top the MAC East.

"The first year was amazing: We came in and got the win, and everyone was so excited," said Zalukar. "Then our sophomore and junior years, we were close, but there was some tight matches that went the other way. We were right there and we knew that we could do it again."

Last week, the Red and White finally completed the ideal bookend, defeating Western Michigan on Senior Day to improve to 8-1 in the conference and clinch the 2025 MAC East regular-season crown. As usual, Zalukar did her part, teaming with Valentinsson for a 6-1 victory at No. 1 doubles and then earning a win at her No. 2 singles spot by knocking off WMU's Christine Gouws 6-2, 6-1.

"Coming in as a freshman, Sara had the power," Rosas explained. "Now, she has a combination of strength and strategy that she's developed. She's a very smart player as well. That has made her a very tough player for us…

Sara Zalukar

"I believe she's playing her best tennis now."

Next up (after Friday's home finale against NIU), Zalukar and the RedHawks will look to cap off an impressive four-year span when they travel to Toledo April 24-25 for the conference's postseason tournament. Miami is trying to win the event for the first time since 2019 —after coming oh-so-close in 2024 before falling in the championship match— and knows a successful run through the four-team bracket will include a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Tournament later this spring. It would be the perfect finale for an impactful group of seniors that have come from literally all over the globe to join a program known for 'Graduating Champions.'

Zalukar and Valentinsson grew up in Europe. Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek (Canada) and Nishitha Saravanan (U.S.) are from North America. Sarah Dev came from India. And they've blended together perfectly, on the court and off.

"All five of us are really close: Everybody gets along, and we've been through all of the experiences together," Zalukar said. "We talk about our cultures and traditions, and we just learn from each other and laugh about stuff!

Seniors — *from L: Denysiewicz-Slowek, Valentinsson, Zalukar, Dev, Saravanan*

"I will forever remember them as family…we are going to stay in touch and visit each other, which is great because I can visit a lot of countries then!"

"I've been coaching for a lot of years, but having these five come in together has been a really special group for me," Rosas said. "I think this group deserves it. They have been very invested in every aspect, not only in tennis, but fitness, recovery, and obviously academics. They've been very consistent. I really hope we can send them out with winning another championship."

While the outgoing seniors have built a foundation for Miami Tennis to have a strong future, their departure will undoubtedly leave a void for Rosas and his staff to fill heading into next season. However, Zalukar has not only helped set an example for future RedHawks (including being named a team captain as a junior), but she will also get to work directly with the 'next generation' in 2025-26.

After Zalukar graduates with her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry next month, she will stay in Oxford to earn a Master's in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health while serving as a graduate assistant on the Miami Tennis coaching staff next season.

"I'm really excited about that," Rosas said. "Sara has all of the qualifications; she understands what our program is about: the dedication, the discipline. Sara Zalukar

"She's going to be a great asset for the incoming freshmen…she'll play a big role in terms of helping us develop the younger kids coming in. She's going to be a very good mentor."

"More than half of the team will be graduating, but I'm going to stay. [I can't wait] to see all of the new girls come in, and help them adjust," Zalukar added.

"I'm excited for that new chapter in life, to be on the other side."

For now, though, Zalukar and her classmates remain focused on the goal in front of them: One last shot at a tournament title together before turning the page. "It's been nice having that journey with them the whole time," Zalukar smiled.

"We really want to finish strong and get the ring."

Find more Front Row Features at: MiamiRedHawks.com/FrontRowFeatures

Zalukar and the MAC East champion RedHawks wrap up the regular season Friday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. with a home match against MAC West champ Northern Illinois in Oxford. Admission is free. The MAC Tournament begins Thursday, April 24 in Toledo; check out Championship Central for more information.

Zalukar, Senior Class Hope to 'Finish Strong and Get the Ring'

Players Mentioned

Catherine Denysiewicz-Slowek

Sarah Dev

Nishitha Saravanan

Emilia Valentinsson

Sara Zalukar

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