When freshman tennis player Luba Schifris began playing tennis at 4 years old, she took more than the usual words of encouragement from her mother. She took lessons.

It’s all in the genes for Schifris, 20, whose mother Tatjana is a former No. 1 Russian women’s player and currently teaches the game to kids and adults in their hometown of Blieskastel, Germany. Coincidentally, it turns out that Tatjana and Hornet men’s tennis coach Slava Konikov are old acquaintances from their days in Russia, although that association wasn’t discovered until Luba had already joined the Hornets.

Born in Moscow, her parents moved the family to Germany when she was 7. In close proximity to France, Luba played in an assortment of leagues and tournaments in both Germany and France, usually as the team’s No. 1 player.

This experience and her mother’s tutelage helped her build what would become a strong resume. Also the team’s tallest player at 6-foot-1, Schifris has the height to put some extra sauce on her serves. That combination gave coach Bill Campbell the confidence to place her in the No. 2 singles slot before the season’s first match.

“She’d been playing in a lot of tournaments, and so we thought that she was a little more match-tough, maybe, than some of the other girls,” Campbell said. “She has the biggest serve of any of the girls besides (Margarita Karnaukhova). And at two, a big serve is most helpful.”

Although accustomed to playing No. 1 in Europe in the past, Luba was surprised by the decision, but has since settled in somewhat to the important position.

“When I heard about it, it was in San Diego,” Schifris said. “I was like, surprised, and I was so nervous. But I like it a lot, because I think I play good, so that I can win at this position.”A bond has already developed between Schifris and senior No. 1 Karnaukhova, who usually play on adjacent courts during matches. The fellow Russians enjoy encouraging one another on the court, and both have the natural ability to keep the team loose off of it.

“She definitely has the outgoing personality. It doesn’t matter what we do, sitting at the airport or at a tennis match, it’s always fun,” said Karnaukhova.

“I would say most of the girls on the team are my teammates, and she would be the person who is more of a friend, not only a teammate, even though she came not very long ago,” she added. Unfortunately, a wrist injury has Schifris basically playing one-handed. Believed to be a strain, she says she hurt it carrying a bike up the stairs to her apartment. Despite the injury, her singles record still stands at a respectable 3-3, including a win over Harvard’s Elsa O’Riain, ranked No. 66 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association at the time.

“It’s hard, it’s frustrating, but I can’t stay at home just sitting there and not doing something, it’s impossible. I will get like crazy, because I want to play. As long as I can play with one arm, it’s okay,” Schifris said.

Like the rest of the team, the key for Schifris is how quickly she adjusts to college life. Campbell admits that for most players, the turning-point for maturity usually comes in their second seasons. Karnaukhova is confident that Luba’s experience at No. 2 will pay dividends next year.

“I think it’s good for her because it’s her first year in college and she’s number two. She’s a fighter,” Karnaukhova said.

“I would feel confident leaving her for the next year to be the captain, the leader.”

Josh Terrell can be reached at [email protected]