Fresno State Athletics
Women’s tennis adds two student-athletes in Mortera’s first early signing class
11/19/2018 1:13:00 PM | Women's Tennis
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's tennis program and first-year head coach Ric Mortera announced the signing of incoming freshman Shir Azran and Deniza Marcinkevica on Monday as part of Mortera's first early signing class.
"Overall, I could not be more excited that these two players chose to join our team," said Mortera. "I believe we have a very exciting future ahead, and these two will surely play a huge role in that."
Azran, a native of Bat-Yam, Israel, comes to the Valley after serving in the Israel Defense Force as a colonel's clerk for two years.
"Shir is a fierce competitor that is going bring a lot to the program. She is going to be an integral part of the culture that we are looking to build both on and off the court."
Azran attended Ramot High School, where she was ranked as high as the No. 1 player in Israel throughout her time there. Azran was also one of few Israeli players to earn a WTA ranking in singles and doubles in 2016, reaching as high as 1,137 in singles and 1,190 in doubles. She won multiple national tournaments and competed as a part of the U18 Israel national team as well.
Marcinkevica, a native of Riga, Latvia, will join the Bulldogs after recently graduating from Riga Secondary School No. 1 and notching a highest combined junior ranking of No. 259 in the world by the ITF. Marcinkevica has also been professionally ranked as high as No. 814 by the WTA in doubles.
"Deniza has a great game that is going to translate well at the next level. She encompasses many of the things we are looking for in a person and player. We are very much looking forward to her becoming a part of the Bulldog family. "
Marcinkevica's best tournament result was winning the doubles bracket of the 18th Serbia Junior Open at Novi Sad in 2016 while teamed up with Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
The duo of international recruits will look to make an immediate impact as both players will be eligible to compete during the 2019 spring season. After a major shift in personnel followed last season, Fresno State will base the foundation of this season's roster on newcomers as the new additions will bring the number of true freshmen on the squad up to six out of eight total players.
"Overall, I could not be more excited that these two players chose to join our team," said Mortera. "I believe we have a very exciting future ahead, and these two will surely play a huge role in that."
Azran, a native of Bat-Yam, Israel, comes to the Valley after serving in the Israel Defense Force as a colonel's clerk for two years.
"Shir is a fierce competitor that is going bring a lot to the program. She is going to be an integral part of the culture that we are looking to build both on and off the court."
Azran attended Ramot High School, where she was ranked as high as the No. 1 player in Israel throughout her time there. Azran was also one of few Israeli players to earn a WTA ranking in singles and doubles in 2016, reaching as high as 1,137 in singles and 1,190 in doubles. She won multiple national tournaments and competed as a part of the U18 Israel national team as well.
Marcinkevica, a native of Riga, Latvia, will join the Bulldogs after recently graduating from Riga Secondary School No. 1 and notching a highest combined junior ranking of No. 259 in the world by the ITF. Marcinkevica has also been professionally ranked as high as No. 814 by the WTA in doubles.
"Deniza has a great game that is going to translate well at the next level. She encompasses many of the things we are looking for in a person and player. We are very much looking forward to her becoming a part of the Bulldog family. "
Marcinkevica's best tournament result was winning the doubles bracket of the 18th Serbia Junior Open at Novi Sad in 2016 while teamed up with Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
The duo of international recruits will look to make an immediate impact as both players will be eligible to compete during the 2019 spring season. After a major shift in personnel followed last season, Fresno State will base the foundation of this season's roster on newcomers as the new additions will bring the number of true freshmen on the squad up to six out of eight total players.
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