Head coach Natalie Pluskota-Hamberg has excitedly announced that Diana Yanotovskaya will join the Gonzaga women’s tennis team for the 2025-26 season. Yanotovskaya comes from Cal State Fullerton, where she spent three years honing her skills.
"We’re thrilled to welcome Diana to the Gonzaga Women’s Tennis family," Pluskota-Hamberg said. "Her impressive career-high UTR of 9.8 shows her talent and competitiveness. Her strong work ethic aligns perfectly with our team culture, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact she’ll have on and off the court."
Yanotovskaya shared her enthusiasm about this new chapter: "This opportunity means a lot to me. I’m grateful to join the Gonzaga family. I’m eager to compete, grow, and contribute everything I have to this amazing team and community. Go Zags!"
Born in Tomsk, Russia, Yanotovskaya has had a strong tennis background. She was part of the Russian Junior National Team and ranked in the Top 50 in Europe among juniors. Excelling in tennis, she also graduated from an art school and enjoys playing the piano. Her father was a professional soccer player, which perhaps influenced her drive.
In her free time, she loves walking, watching movies, and reading. Some of her favorites include Italian and Greek food, Rafael Nadal as her inspiration in tennis, and films like The Green Mile and Coach Carter. She also enjoys music from One Direction and Adele, along with classic literature like The Picture of Dorian Gray.
This impressive background positions Yanotovskaya not just as a player but as a well-rounded individual who brings artistic talent and a love for learning to the team. As she steps into this new role, all eyes will be on her journey, both in sports and academics.
For more insights on college athletics and the impact of talented players like Yanotovskaya, you might find resources from the NCAA useful.