Texas Tech University Athletics
Three Lady Raiders make ITA Preseason Rankings
September 05, 2023 | Women's Tennis
LUBBOCK, Texas – As the 2023-24 tennis season begins, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its annual preseason rankings as three Lady Raiders made the list.
In singles, junior Avelina Sayfetdinova and senior transfer Mariya Polishchuk are ranked one after another as Sayfetdinova checks in at No. 112 while Polishchuk ranks No. 113.
Sayfetdinova played singles primarily at court two last season, accumulating an 11-7 record at the position and a 4-3 record in the Big 12. Overall, she went 17-13 in singles with five ranked wins and was named All-Big 12 Second Team Singles.
Polishchuk achieved her first singles ranking of her career after a tremendous three seasons at Ball State. While with the Cardinals, she played primarily at the top of the lineup, posting a 20-1 overall record at No. 1 singles. Last season, she went 28-2 overall in singles and was the 2023 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year.
After an All-Big 12 Doubles performance last season, the dynamic duo of Metka Komac and Sayfetdinova are back in the rankings with their highest ranking in their careers. Checking in at No. 15 nationally, Komac and Sayfetdinova played at court one in doubles last year, posting a 13-7 record at the position with six ranked wins, including a victory over the No. 7 team in the country against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament. Going 6-1 at the top court in Big 12 play, Komac and Sayfetdinova were also named the Big 12 Position Champions in doubles.
The Lady Raiders open their fall season with a tournament in Abilene, Texas at the ACU Invitational beginning on Sept. 29.
