MIAMI (Apr. 17, 2018) – FIU women's tennis head coach Katarina Petrovic, announced on Tuesday morning the signing of Mariia Solnyshkina, a native of Kemerovo, Russia.

Solnyshkina is currently ranked at No. 974 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA)doubles ranking and she was as high as No.124 in the ITF World Junior rankings. 
 
Solnyshkina competed in different WTA tournaments and achieved great results in doubles play. She won a tournament in Telavi, Georgia and reached semifinals in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. She also reached different quarterfinals in Antalya, Minsk, Parnu, reaching her quarterfinal in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on April 13. 
 
In 2016, she earned second place in the ITF Junior (Grade 2) in Cherkassy, Ukraine losing in the singles finals and achieved first place in the doubles competition at the same tournament. She also reached semifinals in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan (ITF Grade 2).

"Mariia has the perfect personality to complement our team culture" said FIU head coach Petrovic. "She is one of the top junior players from Russia with a perfect doubles game. She is an extremely talented and dedicated tennis player and will bring vast experience to our program. We are very excited that she chose FIU over other top programs in the country." 

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