CORNERSTONE OF MY LIFE

By: Miska Kadleckova

Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Miska Kadleckova, a senior from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, transferred to Baylor after three seasons at Iowa State. During her senior season with the Bears, she is 15-4 at No. 1 singles and 11-4 at No. 2 doubles with sophomore Danielle Tuhten. At Iowa State, Miska ranks in the top 10 in career wins, clinching the program's first-ever win over a top-ranked Texas team at last year's ITA Indoor National Championship. She is scheduled to graduate in December 2024 with a degree in health, kinesiology and leisure studies. Making their 25^th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Baylor women (17-12) will face LSU (15-10) in a first-round match at 12 p.m. CT Friday in Stanford, Calif.:

The College Experience Has Changed My Life
I can't believe how fast the past four years have gone by. My collegiate tennis journey has been nothing short of incredible, and I will forever hold deep gratitude for the people I've encountered along the way who have helped shape me into the person I am today. From the coaches, trainers and teammates at both Iowa State and Baylor University, each person has played a vital role in my development, and I eagerly anticipate carrying their wisdom and support with me as my life's journey continues.

My Life Before College
College tennis holds a unique place in my heart. It made me see tennis as a team sport, which until I experienced it, I never would have believed possible. I was born in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, and I started playing tennis when I was just 8 years old. When I started playing, everyone was telling me I started late and there was a very small chance I could play tennis at a higher level, since I was very behind compared to other kids. But I just wanted to play for fun and enjoy every moment of it. As time passed by, I started playing tournaments and became a national champion in singles and doubles in Slovakia.

After that, my longtime coach, Ivo Uram, came up with a plan to start playing internationally. It was all possible only because of the unconditional support of my parents, who made commitments and sacrifices to encourage me in my pursuit of tennis. Without my parents, I would never be here today. Playing tournaments all around the world – including Grand Slams – and making new friends opened my mind to the possibility of playing college tennis. And that became my dream. During my senior year of high school, I began conversations with college coaches and finally made a decision to play tennis at Iowa State University, starting in the fall of 2020.

The Journey Begins at Iowa State
Due to the pandemic, my first semester in the fall of 2020 was spent at home, a circumstance that left me feeling both saddened and eager for the upcoming spring season. It wasn't until spring 2021 that I officially joined the team, marking the beginning of my journey as a student-athlete. The first weeks were undeniably overwhelming – diving headfirst into the season as a freshman, balancing travel, language barrier and coursework was a completely new experience for me. However, I am proud of how I navigated through these challenges, emerging as the best version of myself.
The team I joined was truly special, composed of mostly international players, and together we created unforgettable memories. Among these, one stands out as my favorite: clinching a match against the No. 1 team in the country, the University of Texas, with a score of 6-3, 6-3, and sending our school into its first-ever Indoor National semifinal. Even now, I still get goosebumps when I watch the match point. I am certain this moment will be etched in my memory for the rest of my life.

My junior year was so far the most successful one, as we reached a lot of goals we had not even dreamed of, such as making it into the Final Four of the ITA Indoor Nationals, the Elite Eight in the NCAA Championships and securing a ranking of No. 4 in the country. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the guidance of our exceptional coaches, Boomer Saia and Kenna Kilgo. More than just coaches, they became like family to me, serving as life mentors whom I know I can always rely on. Following this period of significant success during my junior year, the coaches left and the team largely separated, and I felt like it was time for me to find a new school for my last year of college eligibility.

Becoming a Baylor Bear
During the early part of my collegiate career, I competed against Baylor, only beating them one time. I was always amazed and impressed by the Baylor teams – they consistently fought very hard and were tough to beat. With my last year of eligibility, I was looking for a place where I could grow on and off the court, and Baylor seemed to be a perfect place. Baylor is an excellent academic school with a strong tradition in tennis, which is all I wanted. I came on my official visit in June and knew instantly that this is the place where I belong.

Transferring can be very stressful with a lot of fear and uncertainty, but the environment at Baylor brought none of this. Having Coach Lenks (Broosova), who I knew already from back home in Slovakia, was another piece of the puzzle answering the question, "Why Baylor?" I will always be grateful for the coaching staff – Joey Scrivano, Lenka Broosova and Patricia Martins – for their unwavering support and for creating an environment conducive to my growth as a player and a person. Head coach Joey Scrivano is a true champion who has cultivated a lot of amazing players, and I am lucky to be coached and guided by him. All the players on this special team have become my sisters, and I know those friendships are for life.

During the season, we have gone through a lot of ups and downs and battled with some injuries and tough situations, but all these moments are very memorable because we went through them all together – as a team. Being one of the oldest on the team, it was remarkable to share all the experiences I've had on my journey and try to positively inspire the team, hoping they will learn something from me. The team grew a lot over the past couple of months, and our strong bond showed up in the close matches. Hard work, determination and a passion for the sport of tennis are what define Baylor Women's Tennis, and I can't wait to cheer them on next year to see how great they are going to be. I did not have a chance to clinch a lot of matches but will always remember those moments when I put us on the board for a 4-3 win, along with every team victory.

Miska Kadleckova

I remember playing those matches and thinking in my head, "Do it for my team . . . something bigger than myself." In the moment, I was feeling the pressure, but now I take pride in how I've learned to overcome it and how far I've come as a player and as a person. The essence of college tennis lies in the principle of "We over Me" – a philosophy that I have come to deeply appreciate during my time at Baylor. I can't wait to compete in these last few matches of my career for Baylor alongside my teammates. We still have a long way to go, and I can't wait to see what we accomplish together.

The Next Chapter
Playing college tennis at Iowa State and Baylor University were the best decisions of my life. This chapter has granted me the privilege of not only being a part of a team but also providing an experience that has sharpened my skills on the court and imparted valuable life lessons to carry beyond graduation. Baylor Women's Tennis is much more than just wins and losses; it's about a collective commitment to excellence, a relentless pursuit of improvement and a genuine passion for what we do.

To all my coaches, staff, teammates, professors and everyone who was part of my journey, thank you! Your influence on me is immeasurable, and I am deeply grateful for every lesson and moment we shared. Thank you to my parents and my fiancée, Kubo, for their love, belief and everyday support.

All that to say, my college career has come to an end. Where one thing ends, a new adventure begins. Tennis has been the cornerstone of my life. And while it may be challenging to envision a life without, I'm eternally grateful for the lessons it has taught me and the people it has brought into my life. Baylor University is an amazing place. So, while my tennis career is ending, I've decided to stay a bit longer and pursue my master's degree. I look forward to what the future holds for me and all the adventures life will bring. I will always be proud to represent the Baylor Bears.

Sic 'em, Bears!

CORNERSTONE OF MY LIFE

Players Mentioned

Miska Kadleckova

Danielle Tuhten

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CORNERSTONE OF MY LIFE

Players Mentioned

Miska Kadleckova

Danielle Tuhten

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