Players Mentioned
Tracy Mauntler enters into her 23rd season leading the UT women's tennis program in 2026.
Preseason Q&A with Head Coach Tracy Mauntler
1/22/2026 9:39:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Rockets' mentor returns six letterwinners and brings in three newcomers as she looks to return Toledo to top of the MAC
Head Coach Tracy Mauntler begins her 23rd year leading the Toledo women's tennis team. The Rockets return six players from last year's team, including 2025 MAC Freshman of the Year JJ Scholten, and welcome three freshmen to the fold. After falling in the MAC Tournament semifinals in 2025, Mauntler and the Rockets look to return to the MAC Championship match next April.
What stands out to you most about this year's team after having a full fall season together?
Mauntler: I would say I'm happy with the way this team has made their own path. In 2024, we had an epic team that broke every record on the court, won the program's first-ever MAC Championship and were super strong in the classroom. There were some really big shoes to fill and this group had to figure it out for themselves. Now that they have experienced one year together, they are making their own way while accepting the standards and what is expected of them in this program. That's what I am most happy about. This team is forging their own path while keeping the standards incredibly high in academics and on the court.
You return six players from last year's team, including JJ Scholten who was named MAC Freshman of the Year. What do they add to this team?
Mauntler: I think having one MAC season under your belt is really important. There are just so many nerves that go into that first season. JJ and Annika (Munson) stick out to me when I think about clinching matches, especially as freshmen. JJ was always one of the first players off the court every match and putting us on the board while Annika was one of the last people off the court, so they complemented each other a bit. It's one thing to make it through a season and it's another thing to experience the pressure that this group did. Cat (Catherine Rhegness) was able to see some play at the No. 6 court last year as well, which helps us a lot. I think that coming into this year, the whole team has their eyes wide open. They know what they achieved last year and we did not meet all of our goals. This group is hungry and ready to get rolling.
You brought in three freshmen to the squad, including Isabella Barretto who had a really strong fall and competed against JJ Scholten in the MAC Individual Tennis Singles Championship. Who, between the freshmen and returners, has impressed you this far?
Mauntler: The freshmen have really fit into the team culture very well. This team is made up of great people and the three freshmen have come in and made great bonds with everyone, which is the first thing that happens when the team arrives back on campus after summer break. In terms of tennis, Izzy (Isabella Baretto) had an awesome fall. At the MAC Individual Singles Championship in October, we were only able to take two singles players, and to see both Izzy and JJ in the final says a lot, especially since they are both underclassmen. The pressure that Izzy saw early on in her career gives me hope that she will take some of that into this spring season. Some players don't see that type of pressure until their sophomore or junior seasons, so for her to have that experience already will benefit her tremendously. It feels like she is older than a freshman when she's playing.
Anastasia (Akuginova) is going to step up really big for us this spring. She is one of the hardest workers I've seen. She is physically strong and very serious about tennis, so I expect her to be an impact player. Jone (Ibanez) has made huge strides with her game. She has gone from not making the lineup her freshman year to playing the No. 4 singles position and clinching several conference wins her sophomore year. As a junior, I expect Jone to be a leader on the court for us and I'm happy with where her tennis is right now. I've also been impressed with the work that Neha (Guru) has put into her game during the past six months. She has always been a force in doubles for us, but she is going to be making some noise in the singles lineup this year.
What challenges are you preparing for your team to face in non-conference action?
Mauntler: I think our non-conference schedule is great. We are playing a lot of regional opponents, especially out of the Horizon League which is a good level for us to compete against. We head to Chicago for our first road trip of the season in early February to play DePaul and UIC, which are two very good teams. UIC beat us 4-3 last season, so the team is excited about playing them. Two weeks after that, we head to East Lansing, Mich. to take on Michigan State and Dartmouth, which are two really high-level teams. The last two matches I'll highlight will be down in Florida as we will play against Florida Gulf Coast and Furman. It's a really good non-conference slate and I am thrilled with it, especially the level of play and how the girls will be pushed.
You added former Rocket great Cassie Alcala to the coaching staff this summer. What impact has she had on the team so far?
Mauntler: Cassie and my plan has always been for her to come back here and coach. At one moment, it was a bit more of a dream, but when it all fell into place to bring back the program's winningest player, it was so exciting. Cassie has Toledo pride, which is extremely important to me when adding to my coaching staff. Adam (Kovac), my graduate assistant, also has that pride. I bleed midnight blue and gold and I want my staff to do the same. Cassie has a full-time job, so when she is able to get to practices and matches, we absorb everything she gives us. The girls have reacted positively to her and they really respect her, but she is also able to relate to them better than anyone else can. She just finished her playing career and brings a wealth of knowledge of how to play under pressure since she played the No. 1 singles court her entire collegiate career. The girls absolutely lock in when she is talking. Cassie is someone that when she speaks, you listen, and I have absolutely seen that from our entire team.
What is something fans might not know about your team?
Mauntler: There are so many athletes who are in unbelievably rigorous majors, ranging from engineering to neuroscience to athletic training. They are all balancing their work in the classroom and their work with tennis. So many of them are in class all day and come to practice and then head back to their labs or their final classes. The way that this team handles not just their tennis abilities but also their academics is so impressive.
What are you most looking forward for this season?
Mauntler: I am definitely looking forward to MAC play. I'm excited to see the freshmen compete, as well as our sophomores and juniors that have another year under their belt. They have all worked incredibly hard in the fall and the offseason for the MAC season. I'm excited to see and show how much they improved, how much they have matured and to get to compete.
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What stands out to you most about this year's team after having a full fall season together?
Mauntler: I would say I'm happy with the way this team has made their own path. In 2024, we had an epic team that broke every record on the court, won the program's first-ever MAC Championship and were super strong in the classroom. There were some really big shoes to fill and this group had to figure it out for themselves. Now that they have experienced one year together, they are making their own way while accepting the standards and what is expected of them in this program. That's what I am most happy about. This team is forging their own path while keeping the standards incredibly high in academics and on the court.
You return six players from last year's team, including JJ Scholten who was named MAC Freshman of the Year. What do they add to this team?
Mauntler: I think having one MAC season under your belt is really important. There are just so many nerves that go into that first season. JJ and Annika (Munson) stick out to me when I think about clinching matches, especially as freshmen. JJ was always one of the first players off the court every match and putting us on the board while Annika was one of the last people off the court, so they complemented each other a bit. It's one thing to make it through a season and it's another thing to experience the pressure that this group did. Cat (Catherine Rhegness) was able to see some play at the No. 6 court last year as well, which helps us a lot. I think that coming into this year, the whole team has their eyes wide open. They know what they achieved last year and we did not meet all of our goals. This group is hungry and ready to get rolling.
You brought in three freshmen to the squad, including Isabella Barretto who had a really strong fall and competed against JJ Scholten in the MAC Individual Tennis Singles Championship. Who, between the freshmen and returners, has impressed you this far?
Mauntler: The freshmen have really fit into the team culture very well. This team is made up of great people and the three freshmen have come in and made great bonds with everyone, which is the first thing that happens when the team arrives back on campus after summer break. In terms of tennis, Izzy (Isabella Baretto) had an awesome fall. At the MAC Individual Singles Championship in October, we were only able to take two singles players, and to see both Izzy and JJ in the final says a lot, especially since they are both underclassmen. The pressure that Izzy saw early on in her career gives me hope that she will take some of that into this spring season. Some players don't see that type of pressure until their sophomore or junior seasons, so for her to have that experience already will benefit her tremendously. It feels like she is older than a freshman when she's playing.
Anastasia (Akuginova) is going to step up really big for us this spring. She is one of the hardest workers I've seen. She is physically strong and very serious about tennis, so I expect her to be an impact player. Jone (Ibanez) has made huge strides with her game. She has gone from not making the lineup her freshman year to playing the No. 4 singles position and clinching several conference wins her sophomore year. As a junior, I expect Jone to be a leader on the court for us and I'm happy with where her tennis is right now. I've also been impressed with the work that Neha (Guru) has put into her game during the past six months. She has always been a force in doubles for us, but she is going to be making some noise in the singles lineup this year.
What challenges are you preparing for your team to face in non-conference action?
Mauntler: I think our non-conference schedule is great. We are playing a lot of regional opponents, especially out of the Horizon League which is a good level for us to compete against. We head to Chicago for our first road trip of the season in early February to play DePaul and UIC, which are two very good teams. UIC beat us 4-3 last season, so the team is excited about playing them. Two weeks after that, we head to East Lansing, Mich. to take on Michigan State and Dartmouth, which are two really high-level teams. The last two matches I'll highlight will be down in Florida as we will play against Florida Gulf Coast and Furman. It's a really good non-conference slate and I am thrilled with it, especially the level of play and how the girls will be pushed.
You added former Rocket great Cassie Alcala to the coaching staff this summer. What impact has she had on the team so far?
Mauntler: Cassie and my plan has always been for her to come back here and coach. At one moment, it was a bit more of a dream, but when it all fell into place to bring back the program's winningest player, it was so exciting. Cassie has Toledo pride, which is extremely important to me when adding to my coaching staff. Adam (Kovac), my graduate assistant, also has that pride. I bleed midnight blue and gold and I want my staff to do the same. Cassie has a full-time job, so when she is able to get to practices and matches, we absorb everything she gives us. The girls have reacted positively to her and they really respect her, but she is also able to relate to them better than anyone else can. She just finished her playing career and brings a wealth of knowledge of how to play under pressure since she played the No. 1 singles court her entire collegiate career. The girls absolutely lock in when she is talking. Cassie is someone that when she speaks, you listen, and I have absolutely seen that from our entire team.
What is something fans might not know about your team?
Mauntler: There are so many athletes who are in unbelievably rigorous majors, ranging from engineering to neuroscience to athletic training. They are all balancing their work in the classroom and their work with tennis. So many of them are in class all day and come to practice and then head back to their labs or their final classes. The way that this team handles not just their tennis abilities but also their academics is so impressive.
What are you most looking forward for this season?
Mauntler: I am definitely looking forward to MAC play. I'm excited to see the freshmen compete, as well as our sophomores and juniors that have another year under their belt. They have all worked incredibly hard in the fall and the offseason for the MAC season. I'm excited to see and show how much they improved, how much they have matured and to get to compete.
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