My First University Tennis Tournament
Mariia Iordanova shares her experience participating in a university tennis tournament for the first time
Meet Mariia Iordanova, a first-year tennis player from Ukraine currently competing at the University of Louisiana Monroe, an NCAA Division II institution. Iordanova earned a tennis scholarship and is now enjoying university life in the United States.
In this article, Mariia shares what it was like to take part in her first university tournament with her team.
Can you tell us about your first tournament experience at university? How did it feel to compete at the university level?
In my first university tournament, I was surprised by the intense rivalry and team spirit. There are high-level opponents who are ready to give their all. It was incredibly interesting to be in this environment and to represent my university and my team.
How was the competition different from what you were used to back home or in previous tournaments?
I felt a huge difference in the atmosphere because at home I play only for myself, without much support. Here, I feel stronger because of the support from the team and the coaches. Now I think it will be very difficult for me to play alone without my team.
What challenges did you face during your first tournament, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest difficulty for me was the mental side of the game. Now I have to think not only about how I play, but also how my opponent plays. Also, for the first time, I experienced playing in front of a large number of fans who came to support us, which was overwhelming at first. It’s quite challenging to stay focused on your own game without being distracted.
What were the highlights of the tournament for you, both on and off the court?
The highlight for me was my first win in this tournament, which made me very happy because I wanted to start my student life with a joyful moment. It was also very special to spend time off the court with my team. We spent a lot of time together and got to know each other much better.
How did your teammates and coaches support you during your first university tournament?
The coaches dedicated a lot of time to us and really supported us mentally during this period, which I’m very grateful for. As a team, we supported each other both on and off the court. We even created our own chants, which really helped strengthen our team spirit.
What did you learn from your first tournament that will help you in future competitions?
The first thing I realised from my first tournament was that university tournaments require you to be brave if you want to achieve something. I also realised how much support I need from people and how much that support can change my game for the better.
Mariia’s first university tennis tournament is a great example of how student-athletes grow both on and off the court.
At Keystone Sports, we help athletes like Mariia get sports scholarships in the US and Canada. Our team will support you throughout the entire recruitment process so you can find the right university and team for you.
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