In one of its biggest lineup additions in recent years, three international players with championship backgrounds signed a National Letter-of-Intent to enroll at San Jose State University and play for the Spartans' women's tennis team. Head coach Chad Skorupka made the announcement.
Jovana Babic from Serbia, and Irena Muradyan from Armenia, and Raquel Villan Pereira from Spain are three incoming freshmen for the next tennis season.
"I am very excited for this group of new players joining our team for the 2020-21 season. All three have the skill level to play immediately and make a positive impact in the classroom and on the tennis courts," said San Jose State University women's tennis head coach Chad Skorupka.
Babic was the #1 Under-16 player in her country in 2016. Two years ago, she reached the championship singles final of the 2018 Serbian National Championships.
"Jovana is a big hitter from both sides of the baseline. She can move her serve around to get her opponent playing defense early," stated the Spartans coach.
Muradyan was her country's 2019 Under-18 National Player of the Year. She was a member of Armenia's 2019 FED EX Cup team and was ranked as high as #4 for all Armenian women's players. She was a 2018 national singles champion and added the 2019 national doubles title.
"Irena has a very explosive forehand and will look to dominate points with it. She is very quick on the court and her speed will help her greatly," Skorupka said.
Villan Pereira is a past Spanish national champion for Under-16's with her Valencia Promesas win at Getxo, Spain in 2016. She has nine wins over top-100 players from her country and reached the finals in several Spanish regional and national tournaments.
"Raquel is like a true clay court player. She is very steady on both sides of the baseline. She has good volleys from both sides and will help us in doubles as well," assessed the San José State University head coach about Villan Pereira who reached the semifinal round of the 2018 Spanish National Championship.
The three right-handed newcomers join five returning players for San Jose State in 2020-21.
