Stefanova Named All-Conference in Women's Tennis

Freshman earns honors in singles and doubles

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (10/18/2023) — Monmouth College freshman tennis player Ivana Stefanova (Streamwood, Illinois) was named to the Midwest Conference First Team for both singles and doubles on Wednesday.

In a change to the format this season, the MWC tennis coaches voted on first-team selections with 10 singles players and 10 doubles players chosen. Stefanova was one of eight players chosen for both the singles and doubles teams.

"Ivana's All-Conference coaches' selection as a freshman in both singles and doubles is confirmation of her being one of the elite players in the conference," said head coach Brian Dahlstrom. "It was fantastic to have the opportunity to coach her throughout the season and see her game grow and recognize she can compete at the highest level with anyone in the Midwest Conference."

Stefanova set a new Monmouth record by winning 10 straight singles matches this season. She reached the semifinals of the No. 1 singles tournament this past weekend before losing 6-3, 6-2 to the eventual champion from Grinnell. She also teamed with Kathi Ramsenthaler (Linz, Austria) to reach the semifinals of the No. 1 doubles tournament.

Throughout the season, Stefanova played doubles with Ramsenthaler, Natalie Labicki (Antioch, Illinois) and Jennifer Shimmin (Monmouth, Illinois). Overall she was 10-2 in both singles and doubles in the regular season and 1-1 in both at the MWC individual tournament.

Her 11 total singles wins are tied for the sixth most in a season in Monmouth history. Stefanova also had 22 total wins on the season, ranking top 10 in school history. She was named Midwest Conference Performer of the Week on October 3.