FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 30, 2021) – The Northern Arizona women's tennis team enters this weekend's Big Sky Conference Tournament in Phoenix with high expectations following a strong regular season, and a crucial piece of the team's success this season has been the outstanding performance by freshman
Ava Neyestani.
One of just two players from the United States on NAU's roster, Neyestani is currently 10-6 in singles this season, holding a perfect 8-0 record on the team's home courts at the Aquatic and Tennis Center. Playing primarily at No. 4 in the lineup this season, Neyestani immediately stepped in as a regular during her first collegiate season. The impressive start to Neyestani's NAU career should draw eyes to her going forward, as she already is nearing a spot on the program's all-time win percentage list on Court 4.
A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Neyestani has lived in the Valley all her life. When her parents noticed a 4-year-old girl with a lot of energy, they enrolled her in a tennis club team to see if it was something she'd be passionate about.
From then on, the freshman said it best.
"It ended up working out," Neyestani said.
Neyestani fell in love with the sport and continued to stick with it, as it's the only one she's ever played. As she started to develop as a young tennis player, her parents began to get her more involved.
"When I was 8, my parents put me in tournaments and that's when I started getting into the competitive atmosphere," Neyestani said. "As soon as I started playing in tournaments, I knew I loved competing."
Since then, her passion for tennis took off. Over the years, Neyestani's club team would participate in tournaments all over the country.
"I've been to so many different states to play in tournaments over the years, it's crazy," Neyestani said.
All the success throughout her youth career set her up to receive an offer to play for the Lumberjacks. Many things about NAU made Neyestani feel it was the right choice.
"I really liked the coaches and the campus, it felt like a good fit for me," Neyestani said.
Neyestani also said she appreciates how Lumberjacks head coach
Ewa Bogusz has an understanding of the game that would not only elevate her level of play, but add to her love of the game as well.
"We have a really good relationship," Neyestani said. "It's nice to have a calming voice with you on the court."
Like many others within athletic programs across the nation, Neyestani had to deal with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic as a student and an athlete, doing so in her first year of college. However, unlike most team-oriented sports, tennis might be one of the safest to play while navigating the challenges to the pandemic.
"Tennis is a good sport to play during the pandemic because you're just so far away from your opponent," Neyestani said. "It's a 'social distance' sport."
With the season coming to a close and the Big Sky Conference Tournament set to begin Saturday morning, Neyestani said she is looking forward to what she and her team can do now and in the future.
"I'm really excited for conference," Neyestani said. "I feel like we can win a championship."
While the tournament may be the first of many during Neyestani's time at NAU, she is grateful for the opportunity in front of her and the team she is able to play with now and for years to come.
"I'm so happy with our team and what we've achieved this year," Neyestani said. "Over the next four years, I'm really excited to be a part of this team."
For update scores and coverage of the NAU women's tennis team at the Big Sky Conference Tournament, follow the team on
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