NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University women’s tennis player, Nikol Hristova, was named to the 2014 University Division Women’s Tennis Second Team Tuesday afternoon, as voted on by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). This is the first of such honor for Hristova.
Hristova, ODU’s No. 1 singles player throughout the entire 2013-14 season as a true sophomore, ended the regular season on a six-match winning streak and was the defending C-USA Player of the Week (first C-USA award received by an Old Dominion female tennis player in the school’s history).
The right-hander from Sofia, Bulgaria finished the regular season with an impressive 12-4 record. Against cross-town rival, Nikol Hristova picked up her first win against a ranked player by defeating William & Mary's nationally No. 90-ranked Masha Belaya in three sets to help secure ODU’s 4-3 team win.
In April, Hristova earned a wildcard spot to participate in the prestigious Boyd Tinsley Clay Court Classic at Boars Head Country Club in Charlottesville, Va.
After the season, Hristova was named to the 2014 All-Conference USA Single’s First Team, as announced by C-USA officials. That same day, Conference USA also announced that Hristova and senior teammate Melissa Esnal Olguin were named to the All-Conference USA Double's Second Team.
Each and every match Hristova and Esnal Olguin received the nod for the No. 1 double’s slot, where they compiled an incredible 9-2 overall record this season. In fact, Hristova and Esnal Olguin’s last loss came all the way back on March 9th, which was against No. 46 South Florida. ODU’s No. 1 single’s team ended the season on a five-match winning-streak. Also, Hristova and Esnal Olguin were leading in three other of their matches, before the clinch rule was called into effect.
2014 VaSID All-State University Division Women’s Tennis
Player of the Year: Danielle Collins, Virginia
Rookie of the Year: Rachel Pierson, Virginia
Coach of the Year: Mark Guilbeau, Virginia
All-State First Team
Singles
Danielle Collins, Virginia
Julia Elbaba, Virginia
Cindy Chala, VCU
Stephanie Nauta, Virginia
Maria Belaya, William & Mary
Rachel Pierson, Virginia
Doubles
Julia Elbaba/Rachel Pierson, Virginia
Maria Belaya/Jeltje Loomans, William & Mary
Danielle Collins/Maci Epstein, Virginia
All-State Second Team
Singles
Leeza Nemchinov, William & Mary
Yukako Noi, VCU
Maci Epstein, Virginia
Nikol Hristova, Old Dominion
Salome Kvitashvili, VCU
Francesca Fusinato, Virginia Tech
Doubles
Daria Yakualeva/Olga Barscheuskaya, VCU
Alex Huie/Taylor Pinchoff, James Madison
Maria Belaya/Leeza Nemchinov, William & Mary
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