On Saturday, Vera Shkundina and the KSU women’s tennis team wrapped up their regular season (14-7, 6-3 A-Sun) with a 6-1 win over the Jacksonville Dolphins. Now the team will prepare to take on Stetson in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships on April 20th.
The Owls went into the weekend as the third best team in the Atlantic Sun, but unfortunately dropped to fifth place after Friday’s 1-6 loss to top seeded North Florida. It was the Senior and No.1 singles player, Shkundina’s, final home stand at KSU.
“I’m glad the whole team won,” said a beaming Shkundina. “It’s my senior day and I really wanted to leave as a winner. I’m looking forward to the conference tournament, I want to win it and I want to play in the NCAA tournament as well.”
Shkundina will leave the tennis program holding several records, including a record for career wins with well over 100 victories. She won her final home-match 6-4, 6-3 over a noticeably frustrated Aline Staudt.
Shkundina put her full arsenal on display in her final match, overwhelming her opponent with masterful drop shots, crafty lobs and stinging forehands and backhands. Over the years Shkundina has developed a reputation in the A-Sun for frustrating and, at times, infuriating her opponents with her style of play.
It was not uncommon to witness Shkundina force her opponents into verbal outbursts and at times some opponents would break out into tears. Shkundina has always played No.1 singles throughout her entire four-year career as a Lady Owl.
“Vera is extremely irreplaceable,” said assistant coach Olga Elkin. “We are all going to miss her a lot, she’s one of a kind and a great girl.”
The Atlantic Sun Conference tournament will be held on the campus of second seeded East Tennessee State University, starting this Friday, April, 20th. It was on ETSU’s home court when the Owls pulled off their surprising 4-3 upset of the Buccaneers on April 7th.
