Women's tennis team has international flair

While the Laker tennis program is no stranger to hosting student-athletes from different countries, the women’s team experienced a first this year with a freshman class composed entirely of international students. 

Marija Leko (Belgrade, Serbia), Marily Canellopoulos (Athens, Greece) and Vera Griva (Athens, Greece) are the women’s tennis team class of 2022.

Head coach John Black said the recruiting process is quite different for international athletes.

“Most recruiting of international students is done through email, phone calls or Skype,” Black said. “Normally, I do not meet them in person prior to their arrival at Grand Valley, and I have to evaluate talent based on video and tournament results.”

None of the three players had visited Grand Valley before the start of the fall semester. However, they said help from their teammates and others on campus eased their transition to college and life in the United States.

“It’s my first time in the U.S., so it was pretty hard in the beginning, but the people here are so kind and helpful, and the team has helped us a lot,” Canellopoulos said.

Black said the three student-athletes are already making a positive impact.

“Marija, Marily and Vera are wonderful people, and they have fit right in with the team culture and the university as well,” Black said. “In addition to gaining three strong tennis players, the team is exposed to different cultures, which will only help after college as the borders around the world are shrinking.”

Despite the many differences between Allendale and countries like Greece and Serbia, the three students said they have taken to their new home and are pleased with their choice to attend Grand Valley.

“I think that the program here, combining the studies and tennis, is very good, and the campus is great, because it gives you a lot of opportunities,” Canellopoulos said.

The Laker tennis team kicks off its season September 15-17 at home when they host the NCAA Division II Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regional Championships.

-- written by Madison Barnes, student writer