Cal Poly Women’s Tennis’ Alexandra Ozerets officially rewrote program history in late March. Entering the dual against the University of Texas, Arlington, Ozerets was tied with former teammate Peyton Dunkle for the most career singles wins in Cal Poly history, with 52 total victories.
The record-clinching victory came on the No. 4 court, where she faced the Mavericks’ Vanja Cado. Ozerets claimed the match in a straight-sets 6-2, 6-4 victory. Despite recording program history, Ozerets was unaware she had broken the record until after her match had finished.
“I didn’t even know that, going into the match, I was that close to breaking the record,” Ozerets said. “Everyone was talking about it earlier in the season, and I said, ‘Don’t say anything. Do not tell me; I don’t wanna know,’ because that completely affects your psyche and the way you think about a win, you never want to think like that.”
Prior to breaking the record, Ozerets had already cemented herself as one of Cal Poly’s winningest players. Entering her senior season, Ozerets compiled 44 wins across her career as a Mustang, enough to tie former Cal Poly player Chelsy Thompson for the 7th-most wins in program history.
Following the victory over U.T. Arlington, Ozerets would win five of her final nine matches to conclude the season, bringing her overall season record to 14-9, and extending her total career wins to 58.
Despite her physical production on the court, Ozerets attributed her wins to her unwavering self-confidence and scrappy mentality.
“I think the reason why I feel like I am able to win matches is because there’s never a moment where I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna lose,’” Ozerets said. “Or like, ‘Oh, I can’t win.’ Because I always know I can win. There’s just no self-doubt.”
In addition to her competitive and confident mentality, Ozerets has also embraced a one-for-all, team-first mindset. Rather than having her eyes set on chasing the record, the senior prioritizes team glory over individual success, believing teamwide victories to be worth more in value when compared to the achievements of an individual athlete, especially in a team-heavy sport such as collegiate tennis.
“Playing a team sport, like college tennis, it’s so much about the team,” Ozerets said. “When people achieve things individually, it’s like, ‘Good for you, that’s awesome.’ But at the same time, who cares?”