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30 CAVALIER CORNER cavalier profile NATASHA SUBHASH Second-Year • Tennis Natasha Subhash exploded on the scene as a first-year for the Virginia women's tennis team during the 2019-20 season, claim- ing National Rookie of the Year honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) while also earning All-America laurels. She is only the fourth player in program history be named an All-American in singles. "I was so honored to receive both awards, especially since we didn't have very much time to play during the season," Subhash said. "Winning rookie of the year was incredible. There were so many deserving freshmen in my class, it was such an honor to be selected. "Last fall my name was added to the All-American banner hanging at the Boar's Head. Seeing that at practice every day is such a special feeling." Subhash started last season with a bang, advancing to the semifinals at the prestigious Oracle/ITA Masters in California as part of the fall season before claiming the ITA Atlantic Regional in singles to earn a spot in the ITA All-American where she ad- vanced to the second round. She then closed out the fall at the ITA Winter Wild Card Playoff where she finished third. When the spring season started, Subhash found herself at the top of the lineup as part of a veteran squad that included three fourth-years and a pair of third-years on the eight- player roster. "I didn't come in with any expectations about the lineup," Sub- hash said. "I worked as hard as I could in the fall and just wanted to do whatever was best for the team during the spring. "When we started playing matches, I was honored to play No. 1 and tried to conduct myself on court as I thought a No. 1 would. I was playing a lot of highly ranked players, but I am grateful for the experience that gave me. "It was definitely a lot of pressure, and very nerve-wracking at times, but I don't think that's any different than the rest of the lineup. Each line counts for the same number of points, so each person is just as important and feels the same amount of pressure." Subhash didn't show any signs of feeling that pressure, compil- ing an overall record of 26-6 for the year that included 15 wins over nationally ranked players on the way to a season-high na- tional ranking of No. 10 in singles. Virginia opened the 2021 season No. 10 in the Oracle/ITA Rank- ings — their highest preseason rating since 2016. Subhash led the way for five Cavaliers in the initial individual singles rankings, checking in at No. 11. — Bill Bunting Photo courtesy UVA