Tennis’ new recruit will make team ‘stronger’

Alex Del Valle // Staff Writer

Signing Day for high school seniors to decide where they will play tennis at the collegiate level is April 15.

The Tennis Recruiting Network released a winter rankings list of the top women’s college recruiting classes through Jan. 4, based off point totals.

In the latest rankings released on Monday, Feb. 6, FIU’s women’s tennis team was ranked No. 25 in the nation by TRN. FIU is the only team in the top 25 with only one recruit; every other school had at least two.

The Panthers added Ioana Minca to the team, an international athlete who is currently ranked No. 25 in the world. The Pitesti, Romania native is also the highest ranked junior player in her country.

Minca has competed in Junior Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open and French Open.

For Head Coach Katarina Petrovic, this is the highest ranked player she has ever signed.

“She is the top junior player in her home country of Romania and has had an accomplished career,” she said. “I am really excited to have Ioana join our program.”

Along with her individual successes, winning over 100 singles matches and about 50 doubles contests, Minca represented her country in the European Junior Championships.

Already with a 4-1 record this season, this added news is a great sign of things to come for the Panthers’ tennis program.

“We are continuing to build something special here,” Petrovic said, “and her addition will make our team stronger.”