This time last year, graduate student Sara Ziodato thought she was playing her final season at Virginia. She had applied for a fifth year of eligibility because of a stress fracture she suffered during her freshman year, but the NCAA had denied it. As a result, Ziodato competed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament like it was her last, and she dealt with the loss against Texas A&M in the quarterfinals like it was her last.
“I felt what it meant to be done,” Ziodato said. “I felt all the emotions of what it meant to graduate and have to leave a place that means so much to me.”
But the NCAA approved her injury waiver later in 2024, and Ziodato returned to Virginia for her fifth year. For Ziodato, this season represents a second chance, one she did not expect to get.
Those months of uncertainty gave her a new perspective on the sport this season. Ziodato, hailing from Trieste, Italy, had already felt the weight of graduation and the emotions of leaving behind the team and program she had called home. After ultimately being granted another year and instead of letting pressure build, Ziodato embraced the opportunity with a renewed focus on enjoying the moment.
“I’m able to be back and have a second opportunity and maybe also handle those moments that were new for me last year,” Ziodato said. “I'm just enjoying competing and enjoying being here one last year.”
A prime example of this newfound perspective was seen in Ziodato’s singles match against North Carolina sophomore Theadora Rabman in ITA Indoors Feb. 8. Ziodato was the last player on court, playing a third set tiebreaker that would determine the match and the program’s chance to make a record-breaking run in the tournament.
Ziodato approached the final points in the match with a type of calm and relaxation most tennis players aspire to have. She reminded herself of the incredible opportunity of playing another year as a Cavalier, which encouraged her to focus on the moment, not the outcome. It was also her birthday that day, but Ziodato did not want a day off from tennis or school.
“I was thinking I could literally be back in Italy, on a random Saturday, celebrating my birthday,” Ziodato said. “Instead, I get to be here and compete and play the sport that I love with the people that I love …. I was just focusing on the present, so not what winning would have meant, but what I would have to do to be able to get myself in that position.”
With that mindset, Ziodato was able to close out the tiebreak and clinch the match for Virginia. The Cavaliers proceeded to advance to the semifinals of ITA Indoors for the first time in program history.
This attitude of focusing on the present has continued into this season and allowed for immense improvement. After beginning the year being ranked No. 51 in the ITA singles rankings, she has since climbed to No. 22. Additionally, after starting at the No. 2 and 3 singles spots in January, she opened the ACC season playing at the No. 1 singles spot.
The past few months of improvement have not existed in a vacuum. When Ziodato first arrived in Charlottesville after her freshman season at Baylor, she played at No. 6 singles, gradually moving up the lineup each year.
Ziodato’s accomplishments are not going unrecognized. After clinching the match at ITA Indoors against the Tar Heels, she was named ACC Player of the Week. Her success comes through in doubles as well — Ziodato picked up the first ranked doubles win of her career also at ITA Indoors, playing with junior Meggie Navarro against Tennessee.
She has been getting better each day at Virginia, and the secret to her success lies in routine, hard work and focus. If Ziodato is doing everything she can to win — working hard, sticking to her routine and playing her game — the pressure comes off.
“Regardless of the day, I just show up and I have routines,” Ziodato said. “If I feel tired or if I feel great, I always follow the same thing and I put my head down, and I just work.”
Ziodato’s strict regimen is something greatly admired by the teammates and coaches surrounding her. It’s not a coincidence Ziodato has improved so much, it’s her work ethic.
“I think that she's just been really willing over the last year to work on specific aspects of her game,” Coach Sara O’Leary said earlier this season. “She's really improved her serve. She's improved her versatility, being able to use the slice, being able to come forward volley, being able to handle when people slice against her.”
Despite her individual accolades, Ziodato remains focused on the bigger picture. She downplays personal recognition, keeping her sights set on helping lead the team. Her dedication and work ethic, O’Leary said, extend to the rest of the team.
“We have great leadership with Sara Ziodoto and Nicole Kiefer,” said O’Leary. “I think that they've been amazing leaders this spring and just showing the younger players, this is how we do things, just the sacrifices they've made, they're just so committed.”
Off the court, Ziodato balances the demands of being a student-athlete while pursuing a Master’s in Commerce. As she reflects on her time at Virginia, she cherishes the moments spent with her team more than anything else.
Traveling together, sharing experiences and even the simple act of wearing matching gear in airports stand out as her favorite memories. To her, those bonds mean more than any on-court achievement.
“Being 10 girls in an airport, dressed all the same, it's not something that I will do forever,” Ziodato said. “We get to know each other better.”
Ziodato hopes to stay in the United States after graduation, seeking a working visa to pursue career opportunities. While she is unsure about the possibility of continuing with tennis in some capacity, her focus is on securing a future beyond the sport.
Regardless of where she ends up, one thing is clear — Ziodato’s impact on Virginia tennis will be remembered not just for her accomplishments, but for her growth, resilience and unwavering dedication. As Ziodato continues her final season, one she almost did not have, she remains focused on making the most of every match and moment with her team. To her, with ACC play underway and the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, there is still more to accomplish.
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