Texas Tech University Athletics
Ilgiz Valiev Announces Return to Texas Tech Men’s Tennis
July 14, 2021 | Men's Tennis
Texas Tech men's tennis recently received a commitment from a student-athlete who will provide depth, talent, and leadership to its roster. The commitment did not come from an incoming freshman or a transfer, though.
It came from senior Ilgiz Valiev.
The return to West Texas adds strong veteran leadership to head coach Danny Whitehead's lineup.
"Ilgiz has always won a lot of matches each of the last four seasons he has played. He has shown a lot of toughness mentally over the last four seasons, but where I think he improved the most this last season was how consistently he competed at a really high level," stated Whitehead. "I think the opportunity and challenge of competing a fifth year will be very good for him. If he continues to push himself, I think he can be one of the toughest players to beat in college tennis. His continued commitment to this team is appreciated, and we are looking for him to take another step forward next season."
Valiev, a native of Ufa, Russia, joined the Red Raiders for his freshman season in the fall of 2017. A fiery lefty with documented success on the IFT Junior Circuit, Ilgiz's passion and talent earned him respect in the locker room and a consistent spot in Tech's lineup during his career.
Valiev has tallied over 70 wins as a Red Raider thus far, including a nine-match winning streak in singles play this season, securing Big 12 Conference Player of the Week during his impressive run.
"I was playing really well mid-season, and I could finally find my rhythm. I remember I was playing against Tulsa, and I told myself I'm not leaving the court until I win my match. That's how the streak started," reflected Valiev. "I didn't really know how many matches I had won in a row, but I kind of knew I was around that number(nine). I just tried to win every match so I can keep the streak going. It felt good to get that award for the first time, but I tried not to focus on it too much after because we had matches coming up, so I moved on quick."
Valiev carries the same dedication and commitment to his course work at Tech. He completed the 2021 spring semester with a 4.0 GPA and secured Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for the second year in a row while majoring in Management.
When asked what contributed to his decision to return to Tech, Valiev could not see himself representing any other school.
"My decision was pretty easy. I wouldn't want to play for any other school or coach," stated Valiev. "Texas Tech is a great place to be as a student-athlete, Coach Whitehead runs a great program. It is tough to find a better opportunity throughout the country."
To prepare for the upcoming season, Valiev is committed to playing as much as tennis possible, honing his skills against the best talent in the country. With his return to an already deep roster, and the 15th-nationally ranked recruiting class coming to Tech, there are going to be high expectations for the Red Raiders. Valiev is aware of the team's potential, but he knows that nothing is guaranteed.
"We have a lot of work to do in the fall and spring. We have new guys coming in next semester, so we have to get better as a team and find chemistry." commented Valiev. "We have a talent and ability to compete with best teams in the nation, and that will be our goal for next year."
For Ilgiz Valiev, the 2021-22 season cannot start soon enough. He has competed against some of the best players in the country and has proven time and time again that he belongs on the biggest stage of college tennis, and with his leadership the men's tennis program believes they do too.
It came from senior Ilgiz Valiev.
The return to West Texas adds strong veteran leadership to head coach Danny Whitehead's lineup.
"Ilgiz has always won a lot of matches each of the last four seasons he has played. He has shown a lot of toughness mentally over the last four seasons, but where I think he improved the most this last season was how consistently he competed at a really high level," stated Whitehead. "I think the opportunity and challenge of competing a fifth year will be very good for him. If he continues to push himself, I think he can be one of the toughest players to beat in college tennis. His continued commitment to this team is appreciated, and we are looking for him to take another step forward next season."
Valiev, a native of Ufa, Russia, joined the Red Raiders for his freshman season in the fall of 2017. A fiery lefty with documented success on the IFT Junior Circuit, Ilgiz's passion and talent earned him respect in the locker room and a consistent spot in Tech's lineup during his career.
Valiev has tallied over 70 wins as a Red Raider thus far, including a nine-match winning streak in singles play this season, securing Big 12 Conference Player of the Week during his impressive run.
"I was playing really well mid-season, and I could finally find my rhythm. I remember I was playing against Tulsa, and I told myself I'm not leaving the court until I win my match. That's how the streak started," reflected Valiev. "I didn't really know how many matches I had won in a row, but I kind of knew I was around that number(nine). I just tried to win every match so I can keep the streak going. It felt good to get that award for the first time, but I tried not to focus on it too much after because we had matches coming up, so I moved on quick."
Valiev carries the same dedication and commitment to his course work at Tech. He completed the 2021 spring semester with a 4.0 GPA and secured Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for the second year in a row while majoring in Management.
When asked what contributed to his decision to return to Tech, Valiev could not see himself representing any other school.
"My decision was pretty easy. I wouldn't want to play for any other school or coach," stated Valiev. "Texas Tech is a great place to be as a student-athlete, Coach Whitehead runs a great program. It is tough to find a better opportunity throughout the country."
To prepare for the upcoming season, Valiev is committed to playing as much as tennis possible, honing his skills against the best talent in the country. With his return to an already deep roster, and the 15th-nationally ranked recruiting class coming to Tech, there are going to be high expectations for the Red Raiders. Valiev is aware of the team's potential, but he knows that nothing is guaranteed.
"We have a lot of work to do in the fall and spring. We have new guys coming in next semester, so we have to get better as a team and find chemistry." commented Valiev. "We have a talent and ability to compete with best teams in the nation, and that will be our goal for next year."
For Ilgiz Valiev, the 2021-22 season cannot start soon enough. He has competed against some of the best players in the country and has proven time and time again that he belongs on the biggest stage of college tennis, and with his leadership the men's tennis program believes they do too.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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