SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Hard work has paid off for Taona Mhwandagara, who spent last season as the graduate student manager for the Notre Dame women’s tennis program. That passion and dedication to the program resulted in head coach Alison Silverio naming him as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
“I am honored to welcome Taona back to our program as an assistant coach. After serving as our team manager last season, we are thrilled to utilize his distinctive gifts to enhance our program,” Coach Silverio stated. “Taona possesses a deep intelligence, humility, and relentless hunger to improve. We are grateful for his unwavering faith, and we know his leadership will greatly impact our student-athletes’ development.”
Mhwandagara played a pivotal part in Notre Dame’s successful 2025-26 season. The Fighting Irish ultimately recorded a 19-10 overall record and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Individually, the Irish landed two student-athletes (Bianca Molnar and Bojana Pozder) on the All-ACC Team, three earned ITA Midwest Regional awards, seven were named to the ACC All-Academic Team, while the whole squad earned ITA All-Academic Team status.
At year’s end, Mhwandagara graduated from the Mendoza College of Business with a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration.
“I am deeply grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve and contribute to this ever-growing program. May Our Lady guide us as we pursue excellence and reach new heights. Verso l’alto,” Mhwandagara said.
Before Notre Dame, Mhwandagara played Division III tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he compiled a career 38-15 record in singles and 40-20 in doubles. He also spent his available free time as a tennis instructor, coaching youth players aged 6 to 18. He evaluated their abilities to pinpoint developmental needs, all to create specialized practice regimens.
The Zimbabwe native also helped out with Gustavus Adolphus’ tennis camps, lending a hand with developing and refining campers’ techniques through individualized and group coaching sessions and training activities. He also assisted in organizing team-building activities to foster community amongst camp participants as a dorm counselor.
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