Oklahoma State University Athletics
Serving Success: Kristina Novak’s Journey to the Top in Stillwater
March 21, 2024 | Cowgirl Tennis
Kristina Novak has been nothing short of spectacular for the Cowgirls this season. Dominance and consistency sum up what the graduate student from Slovenia has been able to do in her final season at Oklahoma State.
Novak has turned in a perfect 11-0 record in singles and an 8-5 record in doubles with partner Safiya Carrington. However, the numbers fail to accurately tell the whole story. Not only has Novak gone through singles unblemished to this point, but she's also dominated in these matches. Only twice out of the ten matches has she not won in straight sets.
Others have taken note of her impressive run as Novak was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 ITA Indoor National Championships, going a flawless 4-0 against No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Stanford, No. 7 Texas and No. 12 Auburn while dominating her opponents.
"It was pretty cool to be recognized by not only my teammates, but the outsiders watching as well," Novak said. "I was just happy I was able to win those matches for our team, and it was very special to be able to win it all. It definitely is the biggest thing I've ever accomplished playing tennis to this point. Last year we didn't even win the conference, and I lost my first match in the NCAA Tournament. So, this was definitely the biggest and best part of my career to this point."
While this personal accolade is a big deal to Novak, her humility and selflessness is palpable. When asked about how well she thought she was playing, she deflected to credit to her teammates.
"There's no way I could have gotten this without my teammates," Novak said. "If everyone else wasn't winning, then there is no way this could have ever happened."
This year's top-ranked Oklahoma State team is off to one of the best starts in program history at 17-0 and 6-0 in Big 12 play. Novak has played a huge role on the team the past two years, and she said a few different things stick out to her as to why the Cowgirls are rolling.
"I think our competitiveness, not just in games, but in practice is where we've grown the most," Novak said. "Everyone wants to win all the time, no matter if it's a game situation or not. This team chemistry is also a big part of it. Without that, there's no way what we've done to this point would be possible."
Novak, who went 6-10 in singles and 5-8 in doubles last year, has been nearly unbeatable this year, and the fifth-year senior credits maturity as a big reason why.
"I've just been more consistent this year," she said. "Not only that, but my mental game has improved greatly and that plays into my consistency. I believe in what I'm doing and I'm working super hard. I'm having more fun this year, and I think that's definitely playing into it."
Leading her team is a role for which Novak feels responsible. She has not only elevated her own play, but she's been able to help elevate the play of her teammates as well.
"Just being happy and having energy on the court is a huge way I lead, and I think other girls see that," Novak said. "It helps being the oldest on the team, and I feel that they respect that knowledge and experience that I've gained over my years playing. It's also been super easy to lead because everyone is so competitive. When you're after the same goal, it's easier to lead, so it's all worked together."
Novak will look to help lead the Cowgirls to an NCAA National Championship later this spring. Oklahoma State has the unique chance to claim this national title in the friendly confines of its own backyard. Novak knows what a big deal it would be to her, but she also recognizes how significant it would be to the program as a whole if they are able to hoist the trophy at the Greenwood Tennis Center in May.
"It would be the picture-perfect way to go out," Novak said. "To finish my career with that trophy, at this place, I can't imagine it being any more perfect. It would be the first ever one for women here at Oklahoma State, so it would definitely be the best way to go out."
Novak has turned in a perfect 11-0 record in singles and an 8-5 record in doubles with partner Safiya Carrington. However, the numbers fail to accurately tell the whole story. Not only has Novak gone through singles unblemished to this point, but she's also dominated in these matches. Only twice out of the ten matches has she not won in straight sets.
Others have taken note of her impressive run as Novak was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 ITA Indoor National Championships, going a flawless 4-0 against No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Stanford, No. 7 Texas and No. 12 Auburn while dominating her opponents.
"It was pretty cool to be recognized by not only my teammates, but the outsiders watching as well," Novak said. "I was just happy I was able to win those matches for our team, and it was very special to be able to win it all. It definitely is the biggest thing I've ever accomplished playing tennis to this point. Last year we didn't even win the conference, and I lost my first match in the NCAA Tournament. So, this was definitely the biggest and best part of my career to this point."
While this personal accolade is a big deal to Novak, her humility and selflessness is palpable. When asked about how well she thought she was playing, she deflected to credit to her teammates.
"There's no way I could have gotten this without my teammates," Novak said. "If everyone else wasn't winning, then there is no way this could have ever happened."
This year's top-ranked Oklahoma State team is off to one of the best starts in program history at 17-0 and 6-0 in Big 12 play. Novak has played a huge role on the team the past two years, and she said a few different things stick out to her as to why the Cowgirls are rolling.
"I think our competitiveness, not just in games, but in practice is where we've grown the most," Novak said. "Everyone wants to win all the time, no matter if it's a game situation or not. This team chemistry is also a big part of it. Without that, there's no way what we've done to this point would be possible."
Novak, who went 6-10 in singles and 5-8 in doubles last year, has been nearly unbeatable this year, and the fifth-year senior credits maturity as a big reason why.
"I've just been more consistent this year," she said. "Not only that, but my mental game has improved greatly and that plays into my consistency. I believe in what I'm doing and I'm working super hard. I'm having more fun this year, and I think that's definitely playing into it."
Leading her team is a role for which Novak feels responsible. She has not only elevated her own play, but she's been able to help elevate the play of her teammates as well.
"Just being happy and having energy on the court is a huge way I lead, and I think other girls see that," Novak said. "It helps being the oldest on the team, and I feel that they respect that knowledge and experience that I've gained over my years playing. It's also been super easy to lead because everyone is so competitive. When you're after the same goal, it's easier to lead, so it's all worked together."
Novak will look to help lead the Cowgirls to an NCAA National Championship later this spring. Oklahoma State has the unique chance to claim this national title in the friendly confines of its own backyard. Novak knows what a big deal it would be to her, but she also recognizes how significant it would be to the program as a whole if they are able to hoist the trophy at the Greenwood Tennis Center in May.
"It would be the picture-perfect way to go out," Novak said. "To finish my career with that trophy, at this place, I can't imagine it being any more perfect. It would be the first ever one for women here at Oklahoma State, so it would definitely be the best way to go out."
Players Mentioned
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