One win and an overall impressive showing in the ITA/Midwest Regional in October was all that was needed to kick start Kelsey Jakupcin’s season.
Jakupcin, a junior on the BG tennis team, defeated Christina Ruiz from Marquette in come-from-behind fashion – 4-6,7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) – before losing to Illinois’ Kristina Minor, 6-4, 6-4.
Jakupcin’s impressive showing in the ITA Regional eventually carried over to dual-match play where she is an impressive 3-0 in both singles and doubles and has helped the team to a 3-0 record with victories over Butler, Youngstown State and Wright State.
“She figured out how to play smart and well in those (ITA matches),” coach Penny Dean said. “I think she got a greater understanding of the type of game she needs to play to win.”
“The idea was to just build off that and take Kelsey to the next level and so far it’s working.”
It certainly has.
Jakupcin, who has 87 career wins, had an overall record of 7-8 in the fall, including a 3-5 record in singles play, but has since gone undefeated and her opponents haven’t won more than two games in any set.
The old revenge factor can also be contributed to her recent success.
“I played a couple of girls I wanted to get some revenge against from the fall,” Jakupcin said.
One of those revenge victims was YSU’s Anna Volkova, whom Jakupcin had lost to at the BGSU Invitational in September, 6-7 (9-11), 6-1, 1-0 (11-9). The outcome this time around was a bit different as Jakupcin beat Volkova in straight sets – 6-2, 6-0.
Jakupcin’s victory over Volkova came a week after Jakupcin was named Mid-American Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week.
Jakupcin received P-O-W honors after beating BU’s Natali Jaimes, 6-1, 6-0, in her first career appearance in the No. 1 singles flight in a dual match.
“I was really excited and really surprised,” she said regarding her honor. “I guess I just played really, really well. I didn’t think my playing was anything spectacular, but somebody noticed it.”
Jakupcin’s role on the team is much more than just being a top-flight player and winning matches.
“She’s starting to step up her leadership qualities,” Dean said. “Her role is to always practice hard and be motivated. If your No. 1 on the team, everyone looks up to you, and you’re always looking to set an example to the rest of the team.”
Jakupcin continues to help the other players by cheering them on during matches and helping them do better.
By setting some personal goals, Jakupcin wants to do better herself.
“I would just like to be on an All-Mac team in general,” she said. “Preferably first team, but I’ve never made either team before. I just want to finish off the season strong, and I want our team to win the MAC.”
With the next four matches at home, Jakupcin wants everyone to come out and watch.
“We love the support of anyone,” she said. “It will help us keep doing well if people come out and support us.”
Jakupcin, along with the other Falcons, face UIC tomorrow at 2 p.m. and Indiana State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be held at Shadow Valley Tennis Club in Toledo.