Terezia Mlkva wins first individual conference title in Utah State Women’s Tennis history

Terezia Mlkva recently won the first individual conference title in Utah State University Women’s Tennis history. Mlkva competed in the Pac-12 Qualifier against Sabina Pintea, her teammate, ensuring an Aggie win no matter the outcome.  

Mlkva is from Slovakia and has been playing tennis since her kindergarten years.  

“I was a super small child, so it was really funny to watch me on the court,” Mlkva said.  

Mlkva said that while tennis doesn’t run in her family, she has a deep appreciation for the encouragement and support that her family has provided her throughout her tennis career.  

“No one in my family plays tennis, so it’s really funny how I ended up playing tennis,” Mlkva said, “but my family is my biggest supporter, and they’re supporting me all the time.”  

Mlkva expressed her dedication to the sport, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the task at hand.  

“I was just trying to win every point I could and go match after match,” Mlkva said.  

When asked what the biggest challenge of the tournament was for her, Mlkva said the final match against Pintea proved to be the most difficult.  

“That’s always tough to play against a friend, and especially when my friend is also my teammate, and I’m supporting her always when she’s on the court,” Mlkva said. “So it was a really tough match, especially mentally.”  

Mlkva said the fact that she won the conference title didn’t fully sink in immediately.  

“I think it got to me a little bit later, not immediately after the match,” Mlkva said, “but I’m really happy, and I’m trying to work hard and see where I will end up.”  

Mlkva believes that this accomplishment will boost her confidence in future matches throughout the season.  

“Maybe it will help me to gain more confidence during tied matches, or especially when I’m going on the court, and I can win with anybody,” Mlkva said.  

Mlkva said she has made many sacrifices throughout her tennis career to be able to prioritize her sport and athletic development.  

“I couldn’t just hang out after school, but I don’t regret any of it because it led me to the United States to play college tennis,” Mlkva said, “so I think it was worth it.”  

Mlkva hopes future USU tennis players see her accomplishment and know that anything is possible with a strong work ethic and determination. 

“You need to put a lot of hard work in it, and just go day after day, practice after practice, and trying to get better,” Mlkva said. “Listen to every advice you will get.”  

Veronika Golanova, the head coach of USU’s women’s tennis team, said the championship match carried no stress for her.  

“I didn’t have to worry about anything because Aggie was taking the title either way, so in that day I just let them play,” Golanova said.  

Golanova explained Mlkva’s success during her freshman year and how it has carried over to this coming season so far.  

“She had an amazing year last year as a freshman,” Golanova said. “She was the freshman of the year in the Mountain West, so it was definitely a great opportunity for her to go.”  

Golanova said winning the championship conference title demonstrated the program’s growth and progress throughout the years.  

“We’re able to now compete at really the highest level in the country, and that’s honestly just an indication of the hard work that we put in with the players that we’re bringing into the program, and we’re moving forward,” Golanova said.  

Mlkva competed in the ITA Conference Masters Championship in Rome, Georgia, from Nov. 5-8.