DENVER – New Mexico State’s Strahinja Trecakov and Idaho’s Galina Bykova have been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Tennis Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 10-16.
Trecakov, a sophomore from Kinkinda, Serbia (Dusan Vasijev Gynmasium), helped the Aggies pick up two wins against WAC schools over the weekend. He went undefeated in three doubles matches with partner Germain Degardin at the No. 3 spot. In singles, Trecakov went 2-1 at the No. 1 spot, with wins over Idaho’s Odon Barta (6-3, 6-4) and Kansas City’s Mike Psarros (6-3, 0-6, 6-3).
Bykova, a freshman from St. Petersburg, Russia, went 3-0 on the week, with a pair of wins at No. 3 singles and a win at No. 2 doubles. Her win against Fresno State’s Aishwarya Agrawal (6-3, 6-1) was critical in Idaho’s 4-3 match victory. The win was the first ever for Idaho over Fresno State, after going 0-10 against the Bulldogs before the week. It was also Idaho’s first win against a ranked opponent this season, as the Bulldogs were No. 66 in the country. Bykova added a 6-2, 6-1 win over Utah State’s Nini Guensler to help the Vandals to a 5-2 victory. The Vandals have won six matches in a row after a loss to WSU in the season opener.
Other Men’s Nominees: Benjamin Collomb, Grand Canyon … Connor Leahy, Seattle U … Chetan Panditi, Texas-Pan American.
Other Women’s Nominees: Kirsa Utech, Chicago State … Susana Alcaraz, New Mexico State … Christel Amsallem, Texas-Pan American.