By LCU News
PINEVILLE (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University’s tennis team may be young—the program restarted just three years ago—but it’s definitely a smash.
The tennis team, led by Coach Alexandra Starkova, who began resurrecting the team in 2022 thanks to some generous donors, finished its regular season ranked #13 in the nation, with a 12-6 record, including conference matches, some of which are D1 schools.
LCU previously had both men’s and women’s tennis from 1997 until 2016, when the program was disbanded.
“The opportunity to join LCU came from an unexpected place, and now the program is healthier than ever with its first-ever winning records, national appearances, updated facilities, and frequent visits from fans that the courts had not seen since the tennis team’s inception,” Starkova said.
The hard work that Starkova and her players have put in has paid off. In a history-making season, the tennis team heads to the NAIA National Tournament Championship being held in Mobile, Alabama, May 12-16. Only 24 teams in the country will be competing for the title.
“Congratulations to our LCU tennis team on an outstanding season,” said President Mark Johnson. “Your hard work, discipline and sportsmanship have made the entire Wildcat family proud. Thank you for representing Louisiana Christian University with excellence on and off the court. Go Wildcats!”
The seven-member team includes Raquel Rodrigues, of Portugal; Elizaveta Mikhailova, of Russia; Farren Sandy, of Indonesia; Valeria Callejo, of Spain; Sofia Ferrer, of Mexico; Akari Uchiyama, of Japan; and Claudia Garcia, of Spain.
LCU will play in three doubles matches and six singles matches.
“These college teams that are competing in this specific tournament have competed consistently against Top 25 opponents year-round,” Starkova said. “We are one of the elite teams, and we are excited to compete in the NAIA National tournament.”
In addition to its overall ranking, the team is also ranked N0. 8 through the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, which ranks players on their individual and group performances.
Starkova credits much of her and her team’s success to a lot of hard work, discipline and faith.
She herself knows a lot about overcoming obstacles and finding another pathway to success. Following God’s call on your life often looks quite different than what we plan for ourselves.
Starkova, who is from Spain, was competing on the country’snational tennis tour, with a dream of building a career in the sport she loved.
“But like many athletes, my journey was interrupted by something unexpected, an injury,” she said. “A meniscus tear forced me off the court for six months. In a sport where rhythm and consistency are everything, that kind of pause doesn’t just affect your body; it challenges your identity. It made me step back and rethink what my future in tennis could look like.
“Coming to the United States gave me a second opportunity, not just to compete at a high level again, but to grow in ways I hadn’t considered before.”
Starkova played tennis for Louisiana Tech University while pursuing her degree. She went on to McNeese State University in Lake Charles to serve as the graduate assistant tennis coach while she earned her master’s degree.
“That experience was transformative,” Starkova said. “It allowed me to see the game from a different angle, not just as a player, but as a mentor and leader. I began to understand the impact a coach can have, shaping not only athletes but also individuals.”
She then took the assistant tennis coach position at ULL before coming to LCU to restart the women’s tennis program.
“Looking back, the injury that once felt like a major obstacle ended up redefining my path,” Starkova said. “It pushed me to explore new opportunities, grow academically, and ultimately discover my passion for coaching. My journey is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to end a dream, they can reshape it into something even more meaningful.”
Starkova said she had a vision of one day leading a program of her own, and her faith ultimately led her to LCU.
“I carried with me the desire to build something meaningful, something rooted not only in performance, but in purpose,” she said. “At LCU, I found a place that embraced both my ambitions and my beliefs. It gave me the opportunity to implement my philosophy, to grow as a leader, and to create an environment where faith and sport go hand in hand. Our program has developed into something special, competitive, driven, and united by something deeper than just results.”
Faith has strengthened the team’s mindset, she said, and elevated the way they compete. The focus is not just about winning matches but competing with intention, trusting the process, and knowing they are representing something larger than themselves every time they step onto the court.
She said she is proud of the work ethic and sportsmanship of her players. They come to practice every day ready to improve, and their strong sense of accountability has allowed them to elevate the level of the program.
“From day one, they embraced the vision of what we are trying to build, and that’s not always easy. It takes discipline, trust, and a lot of selflessness to put the team first, and they’ve done that consistently,” Starkova said. “They are a very resilient group. No matter the situation, whether it’s a tough match, adversity or high-pressure moments, they compete with composure and belief. They don’t back down, and they’ve learned how to respond the right way, which says a lot about their mindset and growth.”
Senior player Racquel Rodrigues, a psychology major, has been on the team since its re-establishment. She said the improvement and success of the team is due in large part to the intense, competitive practices.
“She pushes us to our limits every single day and expects a lot from us, both physically and mentally,” Rodrigues said. “A lot of times, practices can be very challenging, but it is all because she wants us to reach our full potential. What I respect most about her is that she truly believes in us and constantly encourages us. She pushes us out of our comfort zones, which helps us become stronger athletes and more confident people.”
Rodrigues said the disappointment of not making it to the national tournament last year, despite the team being ranked No. 18 in the nation, lit a fire in them to work even harder this year.
Teammate Elizaveta Mikhailova, a business administration major, has also been with the team for three years. She said her dream since joining the team was to make it to nationals.
“It was one of the goals since my first year here, and each year we were coming closer,” Mikhailova said. “I am really proud of what we achieved this year with the girls because it was the hard work of the whole team, including coaches and supporting staff.”
Both women said Starkova’s expectations of the team were high, but she created a tight-knit, supportive environment for them to grow as players and as people.
“Coming in, the goal wasn’t just to win matches, it was to create a culture where players could develop at a high level, believe in something bigger than themselves, and compete with intention every single day,” Starkova said. “Seeing that vision come to life has been the most rewarding part. From elevating the level of competition to achieving national recognition to reaching milestones like qualifying for nationals for the first time in program history, those moments reflect the work, trust, and commitment of everyone involved.”
