Entering a sports season as the reigning conference champions, Pang Jittakoat and Matilde Magrini find themselves in a Fresno State women’s tennis program with high expectations.
This, combined with their all-conference honors, have left the pair in a rare situation of being expected to outdo an already great 2022 season. However, rather than shrinking, the ‘Dogs’ two tennis rising stars are welcoming the pressure.
“At the beginning of the fall season I felt [pressure] a little bit. But then I felt like I was focusing on the wrong things. I know me and the other girls did well last year, but I feel that I can be better at another level,” Jittakoat said. “I’m not taking it as pressure, I’m just excited for what I can do to become better.”
One of the major influences on the pair’s resilience to pressure is their considerably busy fall season, in which both have found success in singles and doubles play of various tournaments.
Their doubles play in particular reflects the bond these two athletes have formed throughout the year, and comes as no surprise from the pair that received all-conference honors.
“To be honest I feel like this season has been so much better compared to last season,” Jittakoat said.
Despite having finished with an 11-3 record in doubles play last spring, the two only began competing together in late February, nine matches into the season.
“I feel like at the beginning it was tough to play with someone and you don’t know how to play with each other. I think this year it’s so much better, not only in the play but in the confidence. How we approach the match and how we are on the court when we’re competing is so much better,” Magrini said.
While the pair share many similarities in terms of their accomplishments and sharing of the court in doubles play, the two are in substantially different situations in terms of personal circumstances.
Magrini is entering the season having reached the upper echelon of conference honors as a freshman for the ‘Dogs.
“To me the level I’m starting from this year is a much different situation. Right now I’m focused on beating everyone who I didn’t last year. [That’s] my biggest goal,” Magrini said.
Now as the lone sophomore on a team seemingly stacked with freshmen and seniors, she serves as an example of what newcomers to the team can become.
“[The freshmen] have asked me for advice because they’re unsure about where they’ll fit into the team this season. I tell them not to worry and just focus on what you can do. If you go to practice and are giving 100%, things are going to work out itself,” she said.
In comparison, Jittakoat is entering her senior campaign as the reigning Mountain West player of the year. Having had such a remarkable junior season, she is quickly setting much larger goals for herself.
“I feel like last year the team helped, and this year we have a much more competitive schedule. One of my goals is to become nationally ranked, and be amongst those top players,” Jittakoat said. “I feel like those awards validated me and the entire team last year. I don’t want to stick to them, but it gives me confidence.”
With the two having had so much experience from last season, they are set to lead Fresno State in an attempt to repeat as champions.
“I think we’re in a really good position, if we lost the Mountain West we wouldn’t be where we are now. It’s a great opportunity for the whole team to show that we are better,” Magrini said. “I feel that every team is going to want to beat us, and that’s something that motivates me and tells me to keep going and improve.”
Jittakoat shared Magrini’s feelings and said she hopes the team can add on to their opportunity.
“I feel like the team took [last season] in a positive way. Now we know what we’re capable of and we’re moving forward to become a better team and compete next year,” she said.
With the confidence of last year’s championship fueling the team, they are not shying away from the possible target they may have painted for themselves.
“It’s just exciting knowing that a team has to give their best to beat us,” Magrini said. “Every time we go on the court every single player can bring their best performance, and competing like that is the best part.”
