JJ Scholten is 14-0 in singles play during her freshman campaign.
Rocket Spotlight on Jacklynka “JJ” Scholten
4/11/2025 9:59:00 AM | Women's Tennis
On watching brain surgery videos, overcoming injury and finding the best local coffee
Jacklynka "JJ" Scholten is a freshman on the Toledo women's tennis team and is majoring in neuroscience. A native of Arlington, Va., Scholten currently owns a 14-0 singles record.
On coming from a tennis family
My parents were college tennis players. My mom is from Prague, Czech Republic and my dad is from a small town called Ede in the Netherlands. They both came to the US to play tennis at UTEP and they met there. My mom coached my brother and me beginning when I was eight and my brother was six. That's how I started playing tennis. My brother still plays and he's really good. It's a family affair.
On how health issues affected her junior tennis experience
My junior tennis experience is a little bit different from other college tennis players because I had a lot of setbacks due to injury. It got to a point when I was 12, I couldn't finish a two-hour practice without breaking down in tears because of how much pain my back, ankles and knees were in. It was weird because 12-year-olds don't typically have back issues. That's something older people deal with. I was told it was growing pains, but the pain continued for about three years. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a connective tissue disorder, and I have the hypermobile subtype. I was in and out of tennis at all times so I barely played 16s. My experience playing juniors really began in 2021-22 with 18s. That's when things really started to click for me because I found a physical therapist. I started working with my physical therapist in the summer of 2020 and use him to this day. My junior tennis experience was a lot due to being in and out of practice with my injuries, but I got here and I am strong now.
On overcoming injuries at a young age
My injury took a huge mental toll on me. I was a really hardworking kid at my tennis academy but I wasn't getting results because I was always faced with an obstacle. Between 2020 and 2022, I was dealing with a lot of issues and it was really hard on me. In 2021, there was a time where I would go home and cry after practices because I felt so different from the other kids at my tennis academy. We would be doing light exercises, such as sprints, and I couldn't handle it. I would be on the sides doing planks, because my body couldn't handle the sprints. To this day I have physical accommodations during practice. I can handle short distances or court footwork, and I've learned what exercises to adapt for my body. I had my heart set on playing Division I tennis. I told myself I wasn't going to give up because of the pain.
On Coach Mauntler and the team environment at Toledo
I went to a tournament during juniors and Coach Tracy (Mauntler) was there to watch me. One of the first things I told her was about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and it causes me to be a little bit different than the typical athlete. There are some things I am unable to do in practice, such as long distance running. I was very honest with her and she never saw me differently. Coach Tracy and I had a meeting where I educated her a little bit about what I can and can't do. She is the most understanding coach ever--it's amazing. Sometimes I need an extra rest day because my joints and my body just recover a little slower, and she's extremely accepting of it. She doesn't question me or give me a hard time. I try to make up for it by coming in earlier another day. The environment at UT is amazing and Tracy and Adam (Kovac) are extremely supportive coaches. I think all the girls on the team can agree, but there is such a family feeling here at Toledo. Coach Tracy has created that environment. The girls are very close and it's a really close-knit team; we are each other's family at this point. The support from others within the athletic department is amazing. It's amazing to see.
On the enjoyment of playing singles
I have so much fun playing singles. I'm a very independent person and I like to do things my way, which is why I enjoy singles so much. It's just me on the court so whatever happens is based on what I do. I don't have to depend on anyone else. I get lost in my matches, in a good way. I lock in and I just love to play, it's so much fun for me.
On studying neuroscience and her future in medicine
I've always loved the brain. I used to watch neurosurgery operation videos and TED Talks about the brain and I've always found them so interesting. I think the brain is such a fascinating organ. It controls every single thing we do, whether we're aware of it or not. I think neuroscience is just a great major to study because the brain is so undiscovered and there are so many things to still be studied. It's a great base to have and can be helpful for any medical field. I want to be a doctor, but I'm not sure what type yet.
On hobbies outside of competition and classes
My ritual on our off days has been to go to coffee shops in the early morning and spend time there studying. Sip is probably my all-time favorite, but I really like Earth Coffeehouse downtown and Brew House Coffee. I also like to cook, especially when I'm home with my mom. We enjoy cooking a lot of Mediterranean flavors. Roasted vegetables are our favorite.
On coming from a tennis family
My parents were college tennis players. My mom is from Prague, Czech Republic and my dad is from a small town called Ede in the Netherlands. They both came to the US to play tennis at UTEP and they met there. My mom coached my brother and me beginning when I was eight and my brother was six. That's how I started playing tennis. My brother still plays and he's really good. It's a family affair.
On how health issues affected her junior tennis experience
My junior tennis experience is a little bit different from other college tennis players because I had a lot of setbacks due to injury. It got to a point when I was 12, I couldn't finish a two-hour practice without breaking down in tears because of how much pain my back, ankles and knees were in. It was weird because 12-year-olds don't typically have back issues. That's something older people deal with. I was told it was growing pains, but the pain continued for about three years. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a connective tissue disorder, and I have the hypermobile subtype. I was in and out of tennis at all times so I barely played 16s. My experience playing juniors really began in 2021-22 with 18s. That's when things really started to click for me because I found a physical therapist. I started working with my physical therapist in the summer of 2020 and use him to this day. My junior tennis experience was a lot due to being in and out of practice with my injuries, but I got here and I am strong now.
On overcoming injuries at a young age
My injury took a huge mental toll on me. I was a really hardworking kid at my tennis academy but I wasn't getting results because I was always faced with an obstacle. Between 2020 and 2022, I was dealing with a lot of issues and it was really hard on me. In 2021, there was a time where I would go home and cry after practices because I felt so different from the other kids at my tennis academy. We would be doing light exercises, such as sprints, and I couldn't handle it. I would be on the sides doing planks, because my body couldn't handle the sprints. To this day I have physical accommodations during practice. I can handle short distances or court footwork, and I've learned what exercises to adapt for my body. I had my heart set on playing Division I tennis. I told myself I wasn't going to give up because of the pain.
On Coach Mauntler and the team environment at Toledo
I went to a tournament during juniors and Coach Tracy (Mauntler) was there to watch me. One of the first things I told her was about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and it causes me to be a little bit different than the typical athlete. There are some things I am unable to do in practice, such as long distance running. I was very honest with her and she never saw me differently. Coach Tracy and I had a meeting where I educated her a little bit about what I can and can't do. She is the most understanding coach ever--it's amazing. Sometimes I need an extra rest day because my joints and my body just recover a little slower, and she's extremely accepting of it. She doesn't question me or give me a hard time. I try to make up for it by coming in earlier another day. The environment at UT is amazing and Tracy and Adam (Kovac) are extremely supportive coaches. I think all the girls on the team can agree, but there is such a family feeling here at Toledo. Coach Tracy has created that environment. The girls are very close and it's a really close-knit team; we are each other's family at this point. The support from others within the athletic department is amazing. It's amazing to see.
On the enjoyment of playing singles
I have so much fun playing singles. I'm a very independent person and I like to do things my way, which is why I enjoy singles so much. It's just me on the court so whatever happens is based on what I do. I don't have to depend on anyone else. I get lost in my matches, in a good way. I lock in and I just love to play, it's so much fun for me.
On studying neuroscience and her future in medicine
I've always loved the brain. I used to watch neurosurgery operation videos and TED Talks about the brain and I've always found them so interesting. I think the brain is such a fascinating organ. It controls every single thing we do, whether we're aware of it or not. I think neuroscience is just a great major to study because the brain is so undiscovered and there are so many things to still be studied. It's a great base to have and can be helpful for any medical field. I want to be a doctor, but I'm not sure what type yet.
On hobbies outside of competition and classes
My ritual on our off days has been to go to coffee shops in the early morning and spend time there studying. Sip is probably my all-time favorite, but I really like Earth Coffeehouse downtown and Brew House Coffee. I also like to cook, especially when I'm home with my mom. We enjoy cooking a lot of Mediterranean flavors. Roasted vegetables are our favorite.
Toledo Women's Tennis Match Point over Ball State
Monday, April 14
Toledo Women's Tennis vs BGSU
Monday, April 07
Toledo Women's Tennis Season Recap - A Season To Remember!!!
Monday, June 10
Toledo Women's Tennis MAC Champs photo shoot
Monday, June 10
