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04/22/2021 12:00 AMAfter growing up as a soccer player, Nadia Kavgaci decided to try her hand on the tennis court in her freshman year of high school. Nadia has come a long way as a member of the North Haven girls’ tennis team throughout the past few years, ultimately earning a spot at No. 1 doubles, while leading the club as a senior captain this spring.
Nadia has been playing soccer since the age of four and competed for the high school team through her senior season. As a youngster, Nadia also played tennis with her parents Ekrem and Maria on a casual basis. When she was looking for something do in the spring as a freshman, Nadia decided to sign up for the tennis team.
“My parents played years ago. I used to go to the courts with them,” Nadia says. “I have soccer in the fall, and I do the school musical in the winter. I need something to keep me busy in the spring. So, I took up tennis.”
Prior to her first season with North Haven, Nadia took private tennis lessons in order to prepare for the high school game. As soon as she picked up a racquet, Nadia felt that “it all made sense,” and she realized that she wanted to take tennis seriously. Nadia was able to pick up the sport quickly and enjoyed seeing herself make progress.
When she attended her first practice at North Haven, Nadia was excited to start playing and begin her career on the court. Nadia spent her freshman season at the JV level and, while she was nervous at first, she received support from her captains and other teammates that made her transition to tennis much easier.
“It was a little scary. I had never played before,” says Nadia. “I didn’t know what the coaches were going to be like. But the captains were really nice that year. It’s a good group of girls.”
Nadia has competed in North Haven’s doubles lineup throughout her career. In her sophomore season, Nadia started seeing varsity playing time. Much like her introduction to the sport, moving up to varsity was a bit intimidating for Nadia. However, as she began to face more experienced competition, Nadia found that playing varsity challenged her and made her a stronger tennis player.
After missing out on her junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadia entered her senior year with much bigger roles on the team. Nadia was penciled into the lineup at No. 1 doubles and is typically one of the first players on the court at North Haven’s matches. Having played doubles her entire career, Nadia feels that having a partner gives her mental toughness and helps her stay confident between the baselines.
“I love doubles. If I was playing singles, I don’t think I’d be able to do it,” Nadia says. “Playing soccer, it’s a team sport. It’s not individual like singles would be. There’s a correlation there that helps me. Having another partner there to encourage you is great.”
Nadia has been teaming up with fellow senior Megan Kell at the No. 1 doubles position. In addition to playing doubles together, both athletes were also named captains for North Haven this season. Nadia says it was an honor to be selected as a captain and that she likes giving back to her community in tandem with her teammates.
“It meant a lot. I put a lot of effort into it,” says Nadia of being named a captain. “We do ACEing Autism as a team, and I try to make it as much as I can. Being able to share our experience, our favorite sport with these kids is a big part of what we do.”
In her time playing tennis for North Haven, Nadia has learned how to stay composed and communicate on the court. She feels that she’s grown as both an athlete and a leader through the experience. Nadia has also seen her love of tennis flourish during the past few years.
“Freshman year, I never thought I would be playing first doubles. I’m the first one out there,” Nadia says. “I didn’t even know I was going to like the sport this much, either. But I fell in love with it. It’s a great sport. It definitely boosted my self-confidence. I can carry it on with me not only in high school, but I can play it whenever I want.”
Nadia is going to attend Springfield College in Massachusetts and was admitted to the school’s physician’s assistant program. When it comes to athletics, Nadia is considering playing tennis at the club or intramural level.
Nadia had no idea how much she was going to enjoy tennis and improve as a player when she joined the team as a freshman. As she begins her senior season, Nadia appreciates how tennis gives her way to connect with both her friends and the North Haven community as a whole.
“It means a lot. I’ve been able to connect with the community. I’ve made a lot of friends through tennis,” says Nadia. “I’ve gotten closer with my co-captain. I’ve gotten some of my other friends to play with me, too, which is great. It has been a big part of me, and I don’t know what I would do without it.”