As the lone fourth-year on the University of Rhode Island tennis team, Klara Nelander’s collegiate career is coming to a close as she pursues her final opportunity to become an Atlantic 10 Conference Champion.
Coming from Skanor, Sweden, Nelander joined a recruitment agency for colleges in the United States. Recruited by former URI Head Coach Val Villucci, Nelander’s goal of playing collegiate tennis was within reach.
“I really liked the location, and I [thought] the campus was really pretty,” Nelander said. “The overall athletics, the facility and all the teammates made up what was overall a very good program.”
Despite feeling supported by those around her in the adjustment to URI, Nelander struggled in her first couple of years of her collegiate career with an abdomen injury.
“I started getting the injury my freshman year, but I was able to pull through,” Nelander said. “Going into my sophomore year, it only got worse. I had to stop playing, and I had to redshirt because I couldn’t serve. It was definitely very tough, especially mentally, having to go to all the practices and watch all the matches, but not being able to contribute on the court.”
While not being able to participate physically, Nelander decided to take a step back and look at the game through a coaching lens.
“I really focused on helping my teammates get better and supporting and cheering them on because it made me feel like I was still a part of the team,” Nelander said. “It helped with all the rehab as well and still being able to lift with them. They all were just very supportive and still treated me as a player, even though I couldn’t practice for a while.”
Heading into last season, Nelander was not fully recovered, but she coordinated with the incoming head coach, Jonas Brobeck, on how to transition back into playing.
“It speaks to her resilience, toughness and growth that [with the] really tough injury she had, we had to navigate and figure out her recovery slowly but surely,” Brobeck said. “She really wanted to get back to that court to compete with her teammates. We changed some things around technically in our game and how she could compete and play, which was wonderful.”
Nelander has served as the team’s captain this season, stepping into a leadership role on and off the court.
“She’s one of those leaders that leads by example,” Brobeck said. “She’s structured; she communicates well. She speaks up when things are not going the right way and holds herself and her teammates accountable. It’s been wonderful having her as a captain and seeing her growth and seeing our success as a team because of it.”
Statistically, Nelander’s final season has been her best yet, going 14-5 in singles play and 12-7 with doubles partner third-year Sophie Herrman.
“[Herrman and I] started playing last year, and having her as my doubles partner again this year has been awesome,” Nelander said. “She’s my best friend off the court. I’ve enjoyed every single minute with her on court. We’re always super positive, and we always have such good energy. I think it helps both of us going into singles.”
After competing in back-to-back weekends at the end of the regular season against the top two seeded teams in the A-10, Fordham University and the University of Massachusetts, Nelander and her team are set to begin the conference championship this week.
“This is what you’re playing for,” Nelander said. “If you come in as a student-athlete, being able to have a chance to win a conference, that’s all you want. Last year was our first year with coach Brobeck, so I feel like this year we just built on everything we did, and I think we’re so much stronger. No matter if we win or not, I’m so happy with everything we’ve accomplished as a team.”
Nelander and the Rams, who are seeded fourth in the conference, will take on No. 13 St. Bonaventure University in the first round of the postseason on Thursday at 9 a.m.
