Kansas tennis junior Anastasia Rychagova on Thursday became the first Jayhawk in 20 years to earn Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American honors.
After remaining in the ITA’s Top 10 throughout the 2017-18 season, Rychagova is now the sixth Jayhawk to join the list of KU ITA All-Americans. The most recent was Kylie Hunt in 1998.
“We couldn’t be happier for Nas or more proud of her than we are,” KU coach Todd Chapman said in a press release. “Being an All-American has been one of her goals, so to see her accomplish this achievement is wonderful. She worked extremely hard last summer to set herself up for a great season.”
Rychagova started 2017-18 out strong in the fall with an invitation to the Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American in early October. The Moscow, Russia, native won three-consecutive matches to advance to the main draw bracket. After dropping her first match to the eventual winner of the tournament, Rychagova went on to compete in the consolation bracket. She defeated four-straight opponents, including the No. 3 seed, to claim the title of Main Draw Consolation Champion.
The junior was just one of two Jayhawks to qualify for the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships, the most competitive event of the fall season. Rychagova lost on the second day of match play, to, yet again, the eventual champion of the tournament. Rychagova ended her fall season with a 10-2 record, with her only losses coming against title winners. Her successful few months landed her as the No. 1-ranked player in the nation at the conclusion of fall play.
“Nas spent four months this year as the No. 1 collegiate tennis player in the nation, which is very impressive,” said Chapman. “Injury shortened her spring season, but I know she will work hard and come back even stronger.”
After taking eight weeks off to rehab her second rib injury of the season, Rychagova returned to the court in time to play doubles at the recent NCAA championships, where she teamed with Nina Khmelnitckaia to win a Round of 32 match despite having to serve underhanded because of the injury.