Women's tennis team starts NCAA championship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's tennis team continues its quest for a national title at the 16-team NCAA Division II championship at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

With a record-setting season already unfolding, the No. 3 seed Nighthawks (23-1) match up with No. 14 seed Charleston (West Virginia) at 1 p.m. May 20, and the winner advances to the national quarterfinals, which will be May 21, against the winner between No. 6 University of Indianapolis and No. 11 Academy of Art. 

Svetlana Teterina, a senior from Stockholm, Sweden, said she and her teammates are looking forward to the challenge.

"Our team's resilience comes from our trust in each other and our shared goal to succeed. We have a strong sense of accountability and know that every player plays a crucial role," Teterina said. "Our coaches have instilled a positive mindset and constantly reminded us to stay focused. We also rely on communication and support. We're always there to lift each other up and be encouraging."

She said the preparation and dedication of the Nighthawks has gotten them to this point. Thus far, they have won the program's first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament championship, set a program record with 23 victories and advanced to the NCAA championship for the first time since the 2019 team reached the Elite Eight.

"It's been like a dream coming true, but we are not done yet," Teterina said. "It's an honor to represent North Georgia on such a big stage, and I'm eager to give it my all and make the most of this incredible opportunity."

Teterina earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) 2024 Southeast Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, given to the player who exhibited the most outstanding leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.

Teterina is 15-6 in singles play with a 17-4 record in doubles. Her 2024 season now boasts a PBC All-Conference selection for doubles, a spot on the PBC Most Valuable Doubles Team and now the Arthur Ashe Award from the ITA.

Joining Teterina with regional acclaim was junior Angelina Linnikova. The junior has had one of the best individual seasons in program history and although her season is not done yet, the ITA is already looking out for Linnikova next year as she was named the 2024 Southeast Region ITA Player to Watch.

The Player to Watch award goes to a returning player who is expected to have an outstanding collegiate year next season and is expected to be one of the top returning regional players next year. Linnikova holds a 21-3 record in singles competition and a 17-4 mark in doubles.

With 21 singles wins, Linnikova is one victory shy of tying the all-time program record for singles wins in a season. Her .875 singles winning percentage is also the third-best in program history.