‘Coach’s kid’ comes along
Wondaal learns to handle pressure for first-place Illiana Christian
Refocusing helped springboard Illiana Christian’s Maya Wondaal into this season.
“A lot of times, I put pressure on myself,” she said. “I don’t want to disappoint people. I can use that in every situation in my life. Softball teaches me a lot, but that’s one of the things I’ve really taken control of, knowing that the only person whose opinion matters is God’s.
“My relationship’s the only thing I should worry about. Softball’s not everything. I don’t need sports validation all the time.”
Still, the softball part has fallen into place for the sophomore second baseman, whose mother, Nicole Terpstra-Wondaal, is Illiana Christian’s coach.
Through Tuesday, Wondaal was hitting .371 with a team-high three home runs, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
She has been instrumental in the success of the Vikings (13-0, 7-0), the Region’s last remaining undefeated team.
They lead the Greater South Shore Conference in their first season as members and are ranked No. 13 in the Class 2A coaches poll.
“Both offense and defense, it’s been nice because I don’t have to worry about carrying because my team can pick me up no matter what,” Wondaal said. “If I strike out or hit a home run, I always have their support.
“We have great team chemistry. Our communication is great. We all bring this energy because we’re so competitive. We’re having so much fun, and we feed off each other. Everyone contributes.”
Wondaal didn’t contribute as much as she would’ve liked during her freshman season, when Illiana Christian reached a sectional final against Wheeler in its debut in the Indiana High School Athletic Association postseason.
She hit .230 with seven RBIs as the team’s center fielder.
“I did not have the year I was anticipating last year,” Wondaal said. “I had a really tough grind all summer and all winter, and it’s really exciting to see it all pay off this year. I just hope to keep it going. I have to keep working hard every single day, 100% all the time.
“It was a lot last year, especially since I am a coach’s kid. The pressure definitely affected me. I’ve learned a lot from that season, and I can use a lot of the things I went through last year to help benefit me in the future.”
Terpstra-Wondaal has savored seeing her daughter’s progress.
“I have a front-row seat watching my daughter play, and it’s a lot of fun,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “I get to see different sides of her personality, how she is with her friends. It’s a joy.
“In the past, I’ve coached her travel teams, and I’ve asked her, ‘Do you enjoy me coaching you, or would you rather me not be in the dugout?’ She has never told me she doesn’t want me there.”
Wondaal said she wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I’m an honest person,” she said. “I wouldn’t lie. We’re very close. She’s always been that rock I have, there for me all the time. She pushes me more, but not in ways where I get embarrassed in front of my team.
“She’s just always there for me. She always has high expectations for me, and that pushes me a lot more than if I wasn’t a coach’s kid. I feel very blessed to be a coach’s kid.”
Terpstra-Wondaal, who starred at DePaul from 1996 to 1999, can draw upon her playing career.
She was a second-team All-American pitcher in 1999, leading the Blue Demons to third place in the College World Series.
Wondaal said playing in college has “always been a dream of mine.” But their bond extends far beyond a shared passion for the sport.
“As a mom, I love all the car rides,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “I get her to myself one-on-one in the car all the time. We have great conversations about more than softball.
“I just feel very blessed that she’s at an age where we’re becoming more friends. You have the mother-daughter, and you have the friendship part of it coming in. God has been good. We have a lot to be thankful for.”