One Last Roar: Kuzivakwashe Madungwe, Squash

"One Last Roar" is a series that will recognize the accomplishments of the senior student-athletes at Mount Holyoke College graduating during the 2020-21 academic year. From now until May, read about our senior student-athletes as they reflect on their careers as members of Lyons Nation. Make sure to check out Mount Holyoke College Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see photos of their top memories with their teammates over the past four years.

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Senior captain Kuzivakwashe Madungwe (Harare, Zimbabwe), a Chemistry major and squash student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College, will graduate at the completion of the Spring 2021 semester.

In the 2018-2019 season, Madungwe posted an 11-10 record which included going 2-0 to help Mount Holyoke to its third straight and 11th overall Seven Sisters Championship. In her junior season, Madungwe picked up a pair of victories, including a victory over Boston College's Kate Setteducate at the CSA Team National Championships. She serves as the co-chair of the Athlete Empowerment Coalition, formerly known as the First Generation and Ethnic Minority Student-Athlete group and is also the secretary of the Mount Holyoke African and Caribbean Students Association. Madungwe served as a squash representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from 2018-2019, is currently a captain of the squash team, and member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT).

From Head Mount Holyoke Squash Coach, Erin Robson:

"I knew Kuzie would play a big part in taking our team to the next level. She was well prepared to compete against all of our opponents, even the top division schools. Kuzie raised the level of play on our team through her effort on the court and her commitment to improving her game. While I had high expectations for Kuzie on the squash court, I could not have predicted the impact Kuziva would have on our campus community. I am never sure how she manages to be such a high-performing student while juggling all of her other commitments. From representing the team on SAAC, to her work as the Cultural Assistant at the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center, to collaborating with a group of Mount Holyoke student-athletes on the development of the Athlete Empowerment Coalition, Kuzie is a student-athlete who has left a legacy on and off the court, reaching across campus communities and positively affecting students in future classes at Mount Holyoke. She has sacrificed a lot in making the commitment of a varsity athlete and two-year captain. It has been amazing to watch Kuzie grow as an athlete, a gifted scholar, and a leader."

More about Kuzivakwashe...

Overall, share a few sentences about your time as a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College. How has your experience as a student-athlete helped develop you into the person you are today?

My time as a student-athlete has been nothing but an amazing experience, even though I don't get to have a "normal" senior year season. I've made some great friendships and memories throughout the years. The weekends spent out of state or away from MHC for matches were the most memorable because we got to spend 24 to 48 hours together. Squash, being a game that challenges your mental strength, has pushed me beyond what I thought I could achieve as a player, and I have taken that mentality with me into my academics and personal endeavors.

What were some of your favorite memories as a member of your team?

The team dinners and team bonding activities we had throughout the seasons! It was the moments I got to spend time with my teammates outside of playing squash with great food and getting to know each other. I remember my first year during J-term, there was a snowstorm and one evening we had a game night and sleepover in the Torrey common room – we had a lot of fun, played a bunch of games that brought out another competitive side of my teammates we did not know about.

What are your plans following graduation?

I will be pursuing my Ph.D. In Chemistry next fall and I am still to make a decision on which institution I'll be attending. I am also hoping to do an internship this summer focused on chemistry or biotechnology.

Who have been some of your biggest supporters during your time at Mount Holyoke College? This can be anyone (i.e. family, friends, professors, coaches, etc.)

My mother and brother have been my biggest supporters since day one – throughout the journey coming to Mount Holyoke College and they've definitely seen the journey through my time here with their love and encouraging words even though my mom is back home in Zimbabwe and my brother is out of state. All my friends have made my college experience more memorable and bearable. I'm also grateful for the support from the Athletic Trainers we have: Catie, Ellen, and Micah!

My teammates and Coach Robson were my biggest supporters especially during my first year - the upperclassmen helped me with my transition into college, with squash and life.

What is your favorite Mount Holyoke tradition?

My favorite tradition would have to be Mountain Day! It always seemed to happen the day I could use a break from academics to enjoy the hike and ice-cream with my teammates and friends at Skinner State Park.

Any words of advice you have for the future student-athletes of Mount Holyoke College?

You get out as much as you put in – it may be at practice, building new friendships with your teammates. Everything you do, give it your best shot. Your time at Mount Holyoke College will go by so fast, but it will be one of the most memorable times of your life – so don't be afraid to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone.