NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State University head tennis coach Nate Feldman announced the addition of five signees to the programs for fall 2013. The signees include four women, Elizaveta Gordeeva, Ana Popovic, Ana Jovanovic and Krystal Scott, as well as one male, Pascal Domnik."I am so excited to announce the arrival of our first, full recruiting class for our women's team," Feldman said. "Coach Browning and I looked at an incredible amount of players to fill out this class and we cannot be happier with the student-athletes we are bringing in. They will be the catalyst to make our team a perennial MEAC contender."
Gordeeva (Minsk, Belarus) played for the Republic State College of Olympic Reserve where she was the doubles runner up at the 2013 Belorussian National Championship. Gordeeva finished in the top 20 in all age groups as she moved through the amateur ranks. She also trained in the same club as current Spartan men's standout Dzmitry Zyhmantovich.
"Elizaveta has a tremendous amount of potential and will be a huge help for us," said Feldman. "She has been steadily improving and almost knocked off one of the top players in all of Belarus at the most recent national championships."
Ranked in every age group as she progressed through the youth ranks in Serbia, Popovic (Belgrade, Serbia) graduated from New Belgrade Touristic School where she trained with top Serbian junior coach Balsa Vujicic. Popovic also competed in basketball, handball and soccer.
"Ana is another great all-around athlete that we are excited to bring in," Feldman stated. "With her attitude, work ethic and all-around game, I expect her to be a regular contributor in our singles and doubles lineups."
Jovanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) has had success both at the Serbian national level and in ITF play. She has competed throughout Serbia, western and eastern Europe. Jovanovic also has the highest incoming rating of any NSU female player ever according to UniversalTennis.com.
"Ana has a tremendous attitude and a very aggressive baseline game with solid groundstrokes," Feldman said. "She is experienced at all levels of play and is looking forward to the challenge of rapidly improving our women's program."
Scott (Gold Coast, Australia) is a transfer from Griffith University in Queensland, one of the top academic schools in the world. She is ranked among the top 400 players in Australia.
"Krystal is a very intelligent and mature young woman with an exciting all-court game," said Feldman. "She has a heavy forehand, can come forward to volley, and has good foot-speed."
The women's signees bolster a team which went 10-8 overall and returns three of its top players in Andrea Macchiavello, Yvonne Kamegne and Mafalda Lhorca.
Domnik (Balingen, Germany) is a transfer from Virginia Commonwealth University with two and a half years of eligibility remaining. Domnik played at positions 3-6 in singles and at the No. 2 doubles position for the reigning Atlantic 10 champions. He is also ranked among the top 200 players in Germany with numerous wins over some of the top German men's open players, international juniors and collegiate players. Domnik is also from the same hometown as fellow Spartan and All-MEAC first-team pick Robin Riethmueller
"We are very fortunate to have a player of Pascal's caliber transfer to Norfolk State." Feldman said. "He will be an immediate impact player for us and should be one of the best players in the MEAC right away."
Domnik joins an NSU team which returns its entire regular lineup that finished as co-champions in the MEAC Southern Division last season.
NSU will begin the 2013 fall schedule in September. On Sept. 13-14, the women's team will travel to Lynchburg, Va., to compete in the Liberty Fall Classic. The men's team will compete at the Georgetown Invitational in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 20-22.
By Chaundrea Lee, Media Relations Assistant
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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