Former HCHS tennis player now serves as head coach

BY ANNA HUGHES

When Shawna Zsinko became the head coach for Hinsdale Central’s varsity girls tennis team in 2017, her tennis journey had come full circle. Although she worked as a volunteer and assistant coach prior to her promotion, her start with the team was much earlier: as a student.

“It always kind of felt like I was in the family,” the 2001 graduate said of her decades-long relationship with the program. “I’ve been able to be on a state-winning team in all different aspects of player, volunteer coach, assistant coach, head coach. It’s kind of special to be with it through a lot of those different successions.”

Zsinko in high school with coaches Jerilyn Scardina and Jay Kramer

The Oak Brook resident has been drawn to the sport since she first picked up a racket at 10 years old. As a visual learner, she excelled immediately.

“I’m a student of the game,” Zsinko said. “I want to know, what are the strategies? I’m kind of a stickler on technique.”

That attitude propelled her to a state title at Hinsdale Central and eventually earned her a tennis scholarship to Purdue University. Now, she brings that same mentality to coaching.

“The fact that I was a player and went through a lot of these things and played at a pretty high level, you know, that’s able to give me a little bit of an edge,” Zsinko said.

Zsinko often finds herself at meetings with head coaches who were already established when she was a high school athlete. But she doesn’t see that as a disadvantage — instead, she embraces her distinct perspective.

“I’ve always felt a lot of, I don’t know if I would call it ownership, but just a lot of pride in the program. It’s always been a very strong program,” she said.

That reputation, however, comes with pressure. Her players often have a target on their backs simply because of the school’s impressive reputation. To keep her team grounded, Zsinko introduced a new motto this season: “Let your racket do the talking.” It’s a reminder to stay focused and composed while ignoring any outside noise.

“It’s always been a very strong program.”

– Oak Brook resident Shawna Zsinko, Head Coach, Hinsdale Central girls varsity tennis

“We’re going to play some good tennis, and we’re going to have a good time,” Zsinko said of the tournaments. “I’m a very firm believer that sports help you in life skills. So you know, I’m big on learning how to handle setbacks, learning how to be a leader, but also learning how to be a good teammate.”

Zsinko is fortunate to have an incredible group of girls under her leadership. She noted that tennis requires a lot of personal drive due to the nature of the sport, and her players are blessed with both immense talent and motivation: requirements in such a competitive program.

“[HCHS sports teams] are not easy to make,” she said. “My tennis team is not like every other tennis team, you know. We had 92 girls come out this season, which was so many more than I usually do, and we try to keep, you know, about 60ish. It was sad to have to turn girls away who probably could have made a team at any other school.”

She approaches coaching the same way she approaches everything in life: with passion, dedication, and drive. She’s a chiropractor and small business owner. She also teaches platform tennis throughout the area, spreading her love of the sport beyond the high school courts.

“Tennis is a sport you can play for a lifetime, and now, with all these other racket sports catching so much popularity, like pickleball and even padel, you know, it’s just such a great sport that you can be active for the rest of your life, and those skills translate,” she said.

On top of it all, she’s a mom of three. Her three kids are in the Butler School District 53, which is what inspired her move back to Oak Brook.