Comparing Notes

Daniela Farfan ’22 MS ’23 and Csordas Ildiko ’08, ’10 compare notes about their college tennis careers.

Daniela Farfan and Csordas Ildiko

Daniela Farfan ’22 MS ’23

WHY BARRY? I knew Assistant Coach Fernanda Alves from playing professionally. I also knew that Barry was number one in NCAA Division II for several years. I was looking for a university in Florida with a good academic program and a good athletic program.

WHAT WAS TRAINING LIKE AT BARRY? College tennis training was less exigent than what I was used because I was playing professional tournaments. But add three hours of training to other responsibilities, and it’s intense.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM? Tennis is an individual sport, but we all push for the same goal together, and we support each other when we compete.

WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD OF YOUR COLLEGE TENNIS CAREER? Our three National Championships—and no school losses since 2019. I am proud of holding the Barry record in singles matches won with 56 wins in season and only one loss. I am also proud of being the nation’s number one doubles couple with my partner Kim Moosbacher in 2022.

ADVICE TO CURRENT AND FUTURE BARRY TENNIS PLAYERS? Enjoy every moment and keep fighting together to become better. The results are not as important as the journey.

Csordas Ildiko ’08, ’10

WHY BARRY? I’m from Hungary, and there was another girl from Hungary on the team at that time. She reached out to me because she knew I was looking for schools in America. I was eventually recruited and received a four-year scholarship.

WHAT WAS TRAINING LIKE AT BARRY? Training was a little easier for me because I originally hoped to go pro and was training toward that goal prior to Barry. When I knew I wasn’t going to go pro, I chose a then–DII school, hoping to get more work done in school than on the tennis court.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM? We were very international with many Spanish-speaking players. We had Spanish-speakers, German-speakers. We had Swedish people. It was a very diverse group from all over the world.

WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD OF YOUR COLLEGE TENNIS CAREER? Being a four-time All-American. I’m proud of the fact that I ranked No. 8 in the nation, singles player, and No. 8 in the nation, doubles teams, by ITA my senior year. I was also very proud of coaching as an assistant coach and of getting Barbara Pócza on the tennis team at that time. She was a golden ticket.

ADVICE TO CURRENT AND FUTURE BARRY TENNIS PLAYERS? Enjoy every day because it goes by fast.

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