Jan. 15, 2013
With everyone returning from last season and adding some high quality newcomers, the Old Dominion University women's tennis team will look to improve on last year's 13-10 mark as they enter Conference USA in 2012-13.
"We're going to be better this year and more competitive against the top teams in the country," head coach Dominic Manilla said. "I think we've really improved our lineup in the middle with the improvement of Nika and some of our other returners."
The Lady Monarchs return First-Team All-CAA honoree Diana Ivanova at No. 1 singles. Ivanova went 16-5 playing the top position for ODU and is team captain this season.
"In terms of her play she went from an average No. 2 player to a very good No. 1 player in a year's time. That's a pretty drastic improvement over a year's time," Manilla said. "She set the bar very high for herself, however, I think if she keeps working the way she is, she'll be fine."
Junior Nika Khmolovska had a solid season as a sophomore a year ago, going 5-2 at No. 5 singles and played as high as No. 3 while finishing with an overall record of 11-10. The junior had a successful fall making a run to the round of 16 at regionals and will look to carry that momentum into the spring.
"Nika has become more of an upperclassmen type player. The experience she gained last year was tremendous," Manilla said. "Her level of play has improved since last year and she's going to be a rock for us."
Fellow junior Melissa Esnal Olguin went 9-7 playing at No. 3 singles last year and also went 11-10. With the Lady Monarchs adding depth to the lineup, Esnal Olguin could slide to the middle of the lineup.
"Melissa is continuing to grow and adapt to our coaching staff," Manilla said. "She's adjusted to us and nothing leads me to believe she will have any trouble this semester."
Senior Juliana Pires struggled through injuries last season that limited her to competing in just 16-of-23 matches. When healthy, Pires provides solid play as she did as a sophomore when she was 9-5 at No. 4 singles.
"I think Juliana in the lineup and healthy gives the rest of the players confidence," Manilla said. "There is no denying the talent level and ability she has. She's been healthy so far and going through her rehab and I think she will be successful in the lineup."
Manilla brought in two newcomers for the season, Ivana Vukovic joined the program in the fall while Nikol Hristova starts this semester.Vukovic had a solid fall, winning the first tournament she participated in as a Lady Monarch.
"She came out and was pretty wide eyed and stuck her in the tournament and she won it. She took out some regionally ranked players along the way," Manilla said. "Her maturity and experience really paid off she has transitioned very well to collegiate tennis and we look for big things from her."
Hristova joins the Lady Monarchs this semester and will bring immediate support to the lineup. She is the No. 1 ranked player in Bulgaria and won several European tournaments.
"All things point towards Nikol being a excellent freshmen. She's one of the more high profile freshman we've ever landed. Hopefully she can transition her junior success over to the college level."
Old Dominion opens the season at the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday, Jan. 19 against Norfolk State at 10 a.m. and Howard at 3 p.m.
"I think it will be a great energy this year, I think our home matches will be a long of fun and create some buzz around here," Manilla said.
The Lady Monarchs begin their first season in Conference USA this season and will compete in the conference tournament in Houston, Texas.
"C-USA is a much deeper league than the CAA," Manilla said. "It's a new energy that changing leagues brings. We feel good about it and I think the girls really want to make a statement."