7 hours ago
Missouri women’s tennis added 1 of nan astir accomplished incoming players successful programme history connected Sunday, signing Romanian freshman Alexandra-Irina Anghel to subordinate nan Tigers for nan 2026-27 season.
The 19-year-old arrives successful Columbia pinch important master experience, holding a career-high Women’s Tennis Association ranking of No. 530 successful doubles and No. 1,101 successful singles. Her doubles ranking is nan highest among immoderate subordinate presently connected Missouri’s roster, giving nan Tigers an contiguous boost arsenic they proceed building extent nether caput coach Robin Goodman.
“We are excited to invited Irina to our family,” caput coach Robin Goodman said successful a statement. “She is simply a awesome subordinate that brings extended pro circuit acquisition to our program. During nan recruiting process, she showed tremendous dedication and committedness to her tennis development. She has large goals of a early profession connected nan pro circuit and we would emotion to thief her connected that journey.
“Not only is she a awesome subordinate and an fantabulous student, arsenic a person, she is very professional, down to world and honest. The organization present successful Columbia will beryllium excited to get to cognize Irina.”
Anghel’s committedness came together precocious successful nan recruiting rhythm aft she spent clip weighing whether to proceed pursuing nan master circuit earlier opening her collegiate career. Goodman said that determination is communal among world players, galore of whom hold assemblage while exploring master opportunities.
Despite her acquisition against master competition, Anghel will get arsenic a existent freshman pinch 4 years of collegiate eligibility. Goodman believes that operation gives nan Tigers some an contiguous contributor and a subordinate pinch room to develop.
“She has clip to get utilized to nan level and amended successful our system,” Goodman said.
Anghel’s master inheritance should let her to compete for a salient domiciled successful some singles and doubles arsenic soon arsenic she steps ft successful Como. Her acquisition facing seasoned opponents connected nan ITF and WTA circuits adds different furniture of maturity to a Missouri roster that continues to blend seasoned activity pinch young talent.
The signing besides reinforces Missouri’s accent connected world recruiting, bringing successful a subordinate Goodman believes has some nan talent to thief nan Tigers compete successful nan SEC and nan semipermanent imaginable to return to nan master ranks aft college.
With nan summation of Anghel, Missouri adds a subordinate whose résumé already includes occurrence astatine nan master level while still possessing nan developmental runway of a freshman. The Tigers dream that blend of acquisition and upside tin fortify nan lineup instantly arsenic they hole for nan 2026-27 season.
