MIAMI (Feb. 6, 2019) –The freshman-senior pair in Kamila Umarova and Maryna Veksler have been tabbed at No. 58 on the Oracle/ITA rankings list released Wednesday.
A rarity, as described by head coach Katarina Petrovic. "It is very rare to have a freshman-senior pair ranked. Usually newcomers need some time to get accustomed to the coaches doubles system, but Kamila has learned fast and the pair was undefeated in the fall." Said Petrovic.
Umarova and Veksler are currently 8-2 overall and completed a seven game winning streak that started on Oct.13 that came to a halt at the ITA Kick-off Weekend against Loyola Marymount on Jan.26. They picked up their eighth win on Sunday Feb.3 against Seton Hall (6-3) in a battle that captured the doubles point for the Panthers and lead them to a 4-0 victory over the Pirates.
Signs of command started to show early for the duo. At the Bedford Cup on Oct. 14 they captured the No.1 doubles flight title. Over the course of the three-day event they prevailed in all three matches to claim the victory. They battled in a double header on the second day, which consisted of match ups between Stetson's Danel Ashirova and Lucie Renault (6-2) and Florida Atlantic's Jemi Aguilar and Natalia Boltinskaya (6-0). During the final round of the Bedford Cup, they sealed the deal when they defeated UCF's Ksenia Kuznetsova and Rebeka Stolmar (6-2) and walked away with a trophy.
Since the Bedford Cup they have commanded all but two matches together which is a nod to Umarova's ability and a testament to veksler's leadership and experience.
"Kamila came into FIU as a top junior player and continues to work hard every day on and off the court and it is paying off," said Petrovic.
Veksler, a seasoned veteran, is no amateur in being a ranked doubles partner. Last season, paired with Ulyana Grib, she earned a bid to the NCAA doubles tournament and closed out the season ranked No. 23 in the Oracle/ITA national doubles rankings.
"We know that regardless of who we pair Maryna [Veksler] with in doubles play, she increases our chances of winning," said Petrovic
As she welcomes her final year in blue and gold, we also welcomes a fourth year under the direction of Petrovic who looks at her as a true Panther and a winner.
"She believes in our coaching as much as we believe in her playing and therefore she will continue to be successful. She has a lot of experience in prevailing in tough matches and we are proud of the leadership she brings to the team." Said Petrovic.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will host Texas Tech on Sunday, Feb. 10 at the FIU Tennis Complex. First serve set for 11 a.m. ET.
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