Beyond the Diamond: Maya and Nicole Wondaal
5/16/2025 11:43:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Nicole played for DePaul from 1996 to 1999
CHICAGO –This season, former DePaul pitcher Nicole (Terpstra) Wondaal did something she had never done before. Despite starting 115 games in the circle from 1996 to 1999, April 19 marked her first time throwing a ceremonial first pitch, to recognize her 2024 induction into the Summit League Hall of Fame. The best part? She threw the pitch to her daughter, Maya, a current student-athlete on the softball team.
"Having Maya catch my first pitch, I thought it was so special, and I don't know how often that occurs, where a parent gets to throw the first pitch to their child. It struck me how grateful I am. To have a child playing at the college level, and to have her playing at my alma mater while I'm recognized, it's an embarrassment of riches," said Nicole.
Aside from the accolades she has received as a three-time NFCA All-Region selection and second-team NFCA All American, Nicole relishes the experience of sharing DePaul with her daughter.
"I tried to be quiet about her process and let her find her way. I'm very excited that she's at DePaul, especially knowing there are a lot of familiar faces there. It makes you feel better about sending your daughter off to school knowing there are people there who can look out for her if she needs anything."
For Maya's part, the connection to her mom strengthens her bonds within the DePaul community.
"I think it is really special that I play at the same school my mom did, and it's fun because a lot of the staff here at DePaul know my mom. That makes it feel like a family even more."
The on-field connection between Nicole and Maya didn't just begin when Maya found her way to DePaul. Since 2016, Nicole has coached at Illiana Christian High School, which included coaching her daughter.
"I got to coach her in high school and be her assistant for travel ball, and her leadership in the dugout and on the field, as a coach, is something that everybody wants to see", said Nicole.
Maya, who started twenty games this season, says she absorbed a lot from her mom's leadership, including her tireless work ethic and confidence. Yet, Maya's play on the field reminds her mom of another family member, Nicole's older sister, Desiree.
"My sister is 21 months older than me, so she and I got to share the field quite a bit. Funny enough, my sister also played shortstop. Maya plays softball a lot like Desiree. Both are steady as they come on the field and as Maya gives her pitchers comfort knowing she is behind them, I was comforted as a pitcher knowing Desiree was behind me. If you hit the ball to either of them, awesome, that's an out."
One of just two freshmen to regularly appear on defense this year, Maya is ready to embrace her role as a leader and continue to grow alongside her teammates. She aspires to reach the NCAA tournament, something her mom accomplished three times as a Blue Demon.
Regardless of the outcomes on the field, they both know their greatest gift lies in their relationship.
"We not only love each other but like each other. She's my only daughter, so we're already pretty close, and for her to share a passion and joy for a sport that I love so much is so special. I hope that her experience playing in college gives her as much joy, success, and confidence as it gave me," said Nicole.
Maya and Nicole hail from Crown Point, Indiana, where Nicole continues to coach at Illiana Christian High School.
"Having Maya catch my first pitch, I thought it was so special, and I don't know how often that occurs, where a parent gets to throw the first pitch to their child. It struck me how grateful I am. To have a child playing at the college level, and to have her playing at my alma mater while I'm recognized, it's an embarrassment of riches," said Nicole.
Aside from the accolades she has received as a three-time NFCA All-Region selection and second-team NFCA All American, Nicole relishes the experience of sharing DePaul with her daughter.
"I tried to be quiet about her process and let her find her way. I'm very excited that she's at DePaul, especially knowing there are a lot of familiar faces there. It makes you feel better about sending your daughter off to school knowing there are people there who can look out for her if she needs anything."
For Maya's part, the connection to her mom strengthens her bonds within the DePaul community.
"I think it is really special that I play at the same school my mom did, and it's fun because a lot of the staff here at DePaul know my mom. That makes it feel like a family even more."
The on-field connection between Nicole and Maya didn't just begin when Maya found her way to DePaul. Since 2016, Nicole has coached at Illiana Christian High School, which included coaching her daughter.
"I got to coach her in high school and be her assistant for travel ball, and her leadership in the dugout and on the field, as a coach, is something that everybody wants to see", said Nicole.
Maya, who started twenty games this season, says she absorbed a lot from her mom's leadership, including her tireless work ethic and confidence. Yet, Maya's play on the field reminds her mom of another family member, Nicole's older sister, Desiree.
"My sister is 21 months older than me, so she and I got to share the field quite a bit. Funny enough, my sister also played shortstop. Maya plays softball a lot like Desiree. Both are steady as they come on the field and as Maya gives her pitchers comfort knowing she is behind them, I was comforted as a pitcher knowing Desiree was behind me. If you hit the ball to either of them, awesome, that's an out."
One of just two freshmen to regularly appear on defense this year, Maya is ready to embrace her role as a leader and continue to grow alongside her teammates. She aspires to reach the NCAA tournament, something her mom accomplished three times as a Blue Demon.
Regardless of the outcomes on the field, they both know their greatest gift lies in their relationship.
"We not only love each other but like each other. She's my only daughter, so we're already pretty close, and for her to share a passion and joy for a sport that I love so much is so special. I hope that her experience playing in college gives her as much joy, success, and confidence as it gave me," said Nicole.
Maya and Nicole hail from Crown Point, Indiana, where Nicole continues to coach at Illiana Christian High School.
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