NORMAL, Ill. - Maja Kovacek has proven her ability to compete on a national stage – both as an assistant coach at Oregon and as a student-athlete at New Mexico – and she will aim to lead Illinois State to similar success in her new role as head coach of the Redbird women's tennis program, as announced by ISU Director of Athletics Larry Lyons Monday.
"I want to thank Larry Lyons and (ISU Deputy Director of Athletics) Leanna Bordner for giving me this incredible opportunity," Kovacek said. "I am excited and honored to be a part of this athletics department, and I am ready to lead the women's tennis team toward success on the court, in the classroom and in the community."
Kovacek (pronounced MY-uh KO-vuh-check) arrives at Illinois State following a seven-year career as Oregon's women's tennis assistant coach, where she helped the Ducks to dual match wins over 12 ranked opponents in the last seven years. Throughout her tenure at Oregon, Kovacek demonstrated that her considerable ability on the playing court transfers seamlessly into the coaching ranks.
"We are very pleased that Maja will lead our women's tennis program," Lyons said. "Her energy and passion for college tennis was evident from the start of the search process. She is committed to individual player development and team success on and off the court."
Included among key wins during Kovacek's Oregon career was a 4-3 triumph over No. 20 Washington during the 2010-11 campaign. The victory was monumental for the Ducks, vaulting them from being unranked to No. 54 nationally in mid-March. Oregon was also ranked as high as No. 71 in 2013-14, with Kovacek and the Ducks securing a 4-3 victory over No. 60 Colorado.
As an undergraduate assistant coach at her alma mater – New Mexico – before coming to Oregon, Kovacek worked with all areas of the program during the 2006-07 season, including practicing and conditioning.
Kovacek is equally respected in national circles as a top-collegiate student-athlete. At New Mexico, she was a two-time All-American in 2004 and 2006 and a three-year NCAA qualifier (2004, 2005 and 2006). In the national rankings, Kovacek climbed as high as No. 2 in doubles and No. 21 in singles.
For her efforts, Kovacek was tabbed Mountain West Conference (MWC) Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, while earning MWC Student-Athlete of the Year recognition in 2006. She was selected as one of 30 national NCAA Woman of the Year nominees in 2006, and she was team captain of the Lobos as a senior. Kovacek also garnered New Mexico Female Athlete of the Year honors in 2005 and 2006.
In the classroom, Kovacek was equally decorated as an MWC Scholar Athlete Award winner in 2004, 2005 and 2006, an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Academic All-American selection, an ITA Scholar Athlete honoree and an ESPN Academic All-District recipient. Away from the court, she was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and a treasurer for the Women Athletes in Medicine and Health Sciences organization.
Prior to college, Kovacek played on the WTA circuit in 2001 and 2002. She then resumed circuit competition after graduating en route to achieving her highest world ranking of No. 1062.
A Croatia native, Kovacek graduated from New Mexico with Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and sociology in 2006.
What Everyone is Saying about Maja Kovacek:
Paul Reber-Former Head Coach at Oregon (2006-14)
"Maja has all of the skills necessary to be a great head coach. She was an outstanding player at New Mexico, and in the last seven years, she was a fantastic assistant coach at Oregon. She worked with the players to help them grow significantly. Maja also put in the time as an assistant to become a better coach. Illinois State made a great hire, and I look forward to seeing what Maja is able to accomplish."
Julia Metzger-Former Tennis Player at Oregon (2009-13)
"I am so excited Maja earned a head coaching job. For her, it has been a long time coming. She has evolved into a great coach in my opinion, and I am so happy for her. It is a very deserving honor. I will keep an eye on the Illinois State team, and I am looking forward to seeing what she does with her own team using her own styles."
Kathy Kolankiewicz-Head Coach at New Mexico (1985-2009)
"I am so thrilled for both Maja and Illinois State. Maja was one of the best UNM tennis players – or at least the most decorated tennis player – we have ever had. She was an excellent student-athlete and excelled on both the court and in the classroom. She has had a good coaching career so far, and I know she is excited to get her own program. I couldn't be more excited for her and ISU."
Chuck Merzbacher-Head Coach at Minnesota
"Congratulations on hiring Maja. She is a great young coach and will do great at Illinois State. I coached at Northern Illinois about 25 years ago. I understand how great a tennis state Illinois is, and she will do a great job representing Illinois State. You have a great coach in Maja, and she is a welcome addition to the Midwest."
Courtney Nagle-Assistant Coach at Iowa
"Illinois State has gained a remarkable coach and person in hiring Maja Kovacek as the head women's tennis coach. I have known Maja as both a player and a coach, and not only is she a great tennis player but she is also a dedicated, hard-working and professional coach. She will make an immediate impact on the student-athletes at Illinois State University, both on and off the court, and I look forward to seeing her do great things as a Redbird."
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