Three Jayhawks enter year nationally ranked

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Following successful freshman seasons, Anastasia Rychagova (singles) and doubles pair Janet Koch and Nina Khmelnitckaia earned well deserved spots in the Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis DI Women’s Preseason Rankings Tuesday.

“These three young ladies had very good freshman seasons,” said head coach Todd Chapman. “These are the things that come with success. All three have worked hard this summer and are very deserving of this kind of recognition.”

Rychagova opens the 2016-17 season ranked No. 50 in singles, after reaching as high as No. 45 last year. As the first Jayhawk to receive an at-large bid to the UTSA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, Rychagova was also named the 2016 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and the ITA Central Region Rookie of the Year. Khmelnitckaia and Koch improved 11 spots on their previous season’s ranking. The pair will begin their sophomore campaign ranked No. 56 as a doubles team.

“We are excited to get the season started next weekend in Little Rock,” said Chapman. “I believe we have a team that has the ability to have multiple singles players and doubles teams in the rankings. I know Anastaysia, Janet and Nina will continue to work hard and focus on developing their tennis this season.”

The Jayhawks open fall play at the Little Rock Invitational September 23-25.

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