EDITOR’S NOTE

Maria Meliuk was honored three times as Big Sky player of the week but then was honored a fourth time after the State Hornet went to print.

There’s a freshman sensation taking over women’s tennis in the Big Sky Conference for Sacramento State.

Her name is Maria Meliuk, but anyone watching the Hornets play only have to look for the one her teammates call “Pinky.”

Ironically, it’s a nickname she never had until she put on the green and gold. “It started here,” Meliuk said. “Before I never wear pink, but when I came here I just fell in love with color and then people started to call me Pinky.”

Always sporting a pink headband, Meliuk has been mowing down her opponents. She has been named Big Sky Player of the Week three times already this season.

“Feels good,” Meliuk said. “I’m just doing my best and then when it comes, this honor, I’m just happy.”

Meliuk comes to Sacramento State from Minsk, Belarus. She is the youngest of five players who came from Minsk and are currently playing tennis for the Hornets. She joins the tennis ranks of Anton Stryhas, Kiryl Harbatsiuk and Artur Klimenka who have all been dominating on the men’s side. Her teammate Katrina Zheltova had the most success on the team last season and reached the NCAA Sweet 16.

She only knew them by name in Belarus but now knows them personally. Having fellow countrymen gives Meliuk a sense of familiarity. “Yeah it helps, I don’t feel like so far from home because I know these people,” Meliuk said.

Dima Hrynashka, head coach of the women’s team, recruited all five players from Minsk. Hrynashka is also Meliuk’s long time coach.

Having her eye on Northwestern, Washington and Washington State among many other colleges, Meliuk wasn’t quite sure where to go. Being able to continue working with Hrynashka helped make her decision.

“Actually I was choosing between Pepperdine and Sacramento State like last few weeks,” Meliuk said.

Meliuk’s transition to America has been smooth as she is used to traveling and playing tennis since the age of eight. “I played a lot of tournaments also. Used to practice in Spain for a long time and in Italy, so it’s quite OK for me,” Meliuk said.

Playing doubles with Aileen Tsan, Meliuk is dominating there as well. “I love playing with her, she’s a great doubles player,” Tsan said.

Both Tsan and Hrynashka see Meliuk’s already strong doubles game growing as the season goes along.

“I think she stronger in singles, also not so bad in doubles,” Hrynashka said. “But I think she’ll improve doubles because she didn’t play so much before.”

“She’s improving a lot,” Tsan said. “I mean she’s a good player to start with.”

In her last match on Sunday, Meliuk fell behind in the first set 2-5 to Montana’s Rebecca Bran. With no margin for error, Meliuk came roaring back and won the next five games to take the set 7-5.

“I just came back,” Meliuk said. “I just started to hit every ball I could and I was really consistent and focused.”

Meliuk rode the comeback in the next set and demolished Bran 6-0 for the win.

While Meliuk has a bright future at Sacramento State, she also has professional aspirations. She is a fan of Jelena Jankovic, one of the best tennis players in the world who has previously ranked No.1 in the world.

“I like the way Jankovic plays,” Meliuk said. “Her style of the game is more similar to mine because she’s just playing smart tennis and she’s winning.”

After her phenomenal freshmen season is over, Meliuk will continue to work on her game and get better for her long-term goals.

“I’m planning to play some tournaments in summer,” Meliuk said. “I wanna try myself in the professional tournament.”

Mitchell Wilson can be reached at [email protected]