Senior Vertesheva sets example for young team

When Evgeniya Vertesheva graduated high school in Russia, she could go to school in the United States or try to play as a professional tennis player.

“In Russia, it was a choice of going professional or school,” Vertesheva said with her distinctive accent. “I wanted an education, and in Russia there are no athletics in the universities.”

Vertesheva attended California State Northridge her freshman year, where she played No. 1 the entire year. She was named All-Big West for both singles and doubles.
Due to a variety of reasons, she chose to wear the cream and crimson and transfer to IU her sophomore year.

“I transferred to IU because of the very strong academics, especially in economics, which is my major,” Vertesheva said.

At IU, she continued to excel on the court and was named to All-Big Ten in her sophomore and junior years. She led the Hoosiers in total singles wins during her sophomore year and tied with now-junior Leslie Hureau her junior year.

Coming into this season, Vertesheva had to take on a different role. She is the lone senior on a young team that features five freshmen.

“Since there are five freshmen and I am the only senior, I have to be more organized,” she said. “You cannot be a bad example. You have to assume responsibility. You have to be careful what you do because there are so many freshmen watching what you do.”

Vertesheva said she feels responsible for the freshmen but has to watch how much she helps the newcomers.

“There is a thin line,” Vertesheva said. “At some point you are responsible for them, but there are some things you should let them handle and figure out on their own. Being a freshman is pretty hard.”

“Geniya has helped me a lot,” freshman Katie Klyczek said. “She’ll never belittle you for making a mistake. She’s always very supporting.”

Vertesheva said all the new blood on the team can contribute to the team’s success.

“There are a lot of new things on the team,” Vertesheva said. “It adds freshness, and we aren’t relying on past seasons. We have new potential.”

Injuries played a big role in seasons past. For this team to succeed, individual sacrifices must be made, Vertesheva said.

“We won’t succeed if we have a lack of chemistry and support,” she said. “And if we are pursuing personal rather than team goals.”

IU Coach Lin Loring has helped her progress not only in her skills with the racket, but with growing as a person.

“He really cares about us and pays attention to every single detail,” Vertesheva said. “Whether it’s asking us how much sleep we got last night, I know I can come to him with any problem I have.”

Loring said he is happy with the kind of player and person Vertesheva is.

“Geniya has been real consistent on the court and off the court. She is an excellent student,” Loring said. “She’s a total low-maintenance player. She’s never injured, never wants another racket or tennis shoe or anything.”

At IU, the amount of team spirit and chemistry is a drastic dichotomy of how she trained in Russia, Vertesheva said.

“I have developed a lot of team spirit since coming to America,” Vertesheva said. “I used to practice and didn’t have a team. I was an individual. The 24 sports, one team way of thinking is really true and pretty cool.”