ATLANTA – After defeating three consecutive local opponents, the 2020 season ended abruptly before Georgia State women's tennis could start Sun Belt action. Although conference matches went unplayed, the Panthers have much to celebrate as they look forward.
This season head coach
Alex Leatu welcomed back veterans Damira Muminovic,
Eva Chivu, and
Andreea Stanescu. The Panthers also added five freshmen to the line-up,
Alexia Alvarez,
Aleksandra Stromova,
Denisa Gheorghe,
Mara Pop, and
Angel Carney.
"The freshmen adjusted well within the program due to Stanescu's leadership and making the culture of the team a priority," said Leatu.
The team opened the season with a trip to Baylor University, to face Leatu's alma mater. That weekend the Panthers picked up their victory of the season with a neutral site victory over McNeese State.
The next weekend Georgia State would face Auburn on the road.
Eva Chivu, the 2019 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, collected an impressive straight set victory on the No. 1 court against No. 79 Taylor Russo. Chivu's win earned her Sun Belt Women's Tennis Player of the Week honors.
"Chivu has a lot of potential. She has proven that within the season beating multiple ranked opponents and showing she belongs in the top of the ITA rankings," said Leatu.
The Panthers earned another neutral site victory facing VCU while in Tennessee. Chivu picked up another victory over ranked opposition. While Muminovic, the lone senior, and Stanescu, the team captain, rolled to victories. Carney found her groove and picked up her first collegiate win in the effort.
By the time the Panthers opened play in Clarkston, the young squad had compiled ten tough away or neutral site matches. Although the season was cut short, the team did have the chance to defend their home turf picking up victories against Kennesaw State and Clark Atlanta in a doubleheader. The Panthers would see wins from Muminovic, Chivu, and Stanescu. In addition, Gheorghe, Carney, Stromova, and Alvarez would all earn their first home victories as Panthers on their respective courts.
The season closed with an exciting 4-3 win over Mercer.
Sophomores Stanescu and Chivu each earned eight wins in singles action during the short season, the most of any Panther this season. Senior Muminovic finished her collegiate career with a winning record, earning seven wins in the second position. During doubles Chivu partnered with Stanescu and Carney. Each pairing earned three wins, the most of any pair on the team.
During the 2020 season the team was able to show growth on the court, but more importantly the Panthers continued to cultivate their team culture. Many of this year's young players will return to Georgia State next year as veterans, which will hopefully lead to continued success in the coming seasons.
"I saw the most growth within the culture," said Leatu. "The girls took every opportunity in their power to meet and make their team the first priority."
