Women’s Tennis: Louisiana Welcomes Two for Upcoming Season

See story on new assistant coach below this story.

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana women’s tennis team will have two new faces to the program this upcoming season. Head coach Stephanie Vallejos and the Ragin’ Cajuns will welcome Mariona Perez Noguera, from Tarragona, Spain and Lucie Raquin from Belleville, France.
 
Perez Noguera, a transfer from Pitt, enters the upcoming season as a sophomore. She was forced to find a new home after the university cut the tennis program. "I was lucky I had a team that I called a family and I am just trying to find that here and a home away from home."
 
At Pitt, she tallied a 7-19 record playing in the four, five and six singles spots for the Panthers. She also compiled a 4-7 record in doubles action while picking up a win in ACC play.
 
Perez Noguera has set several goals for herself not only on the court but off the court as well. "I want to leave everything I have every day on the court and try to achieve our goals the team has set," she explained. "The most important thing for me is to really represent and show what it’s like to be a Ragin’ Cajun."
 
Raquin will be the lone freshman on the team this season. Raquin has played in the Petits As, one of the best international tournaments in the world for 14 years. She has also competed in very highly regarded tournaments such as Tennis Europe, the ITF grade 3 of Saint Cyprien, and even the French Championship in 2015.
 
Raquin comes to Louisiana with high expectations for herself. "I want to improve my level and play in good tournaments in singles," she said. "I would like to play in conference this year."
 
"I am excited to play with my friends on the team," Raquin explained. "I love playing tennis even though it is a singles sport and I like being with all of the girls on the same team."
 
The women’s tennis team will kick off their 2019 fall slate at the Lady Demon Invitational on Sept. 13 at Northwestern State University.
 
FOLLOWING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS: Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@RaginCajunsWT) to stay up-to-date with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Tennis.
 

Louisiana Welcomes Alexandra Starkova to Women’s Tennis Staff

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Women’s Tennis coach Stephanie Vallejos announced the hiring of Alexandra Starkova as the program’s next assistant coach on Wednesday afternoon.

The hiring of Starkova is pending approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
 
"I’m excited to have Alexandra join our team," Vallejos said about her hire. "I’ve had the opportunity to coach against her and it’s clear that she has been able to form great connections with each player she’s worked with. Her experience and competitiveness will be a great addition to the winning atmosphere we aim to create."
 
Starkova was an assistant coach at McNeese State for the last three seasons prior to taking the job at Louisiana. During her time at McNeese, the program complied a 41-25 record, a Southland Conference Championship, and a berth to the NCAA Tournament. In particular, the 2018 team owned an 18-4 record and lost just one match in conference play.
 
Prior to working at McNeese State, the Madrid, Spain, native had a stellar tennis career at Louisiana Tech. There, she was a three-time First Team All-Conference USA Singles member, a three-time Second Team All-Louisiana member, she also garnered Third Team All-Conference USA Doubles in 2016 and First Team All-WAC Doubles in 2013.
 
Before her time as a student athlete at Louisiana Tech, Starkova was semifinalist for the Motva Madrid Open and Absolute Spain Championships Doubles in 2012. She saw her best national ranking climb as high as No. 34 and best WTA ranking reach 1065.

FOLLOWING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS: Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@RaginCajunsWT) to stay up-to-date with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Tennis.