East Michigan News

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Masha Polishchuk, a standout at both Ball State University and Texas Tech University, has been added to the Eastern Michigan University tennis coaching staff, Head Coach Ryan Kucera announced today, Aug. 13. Polishchuk will serve in an assistant coaching capacity while working toward her graduate degree at EMU.

"I am thrilled to have Masha joining our coaching staff," Kucera said. "She has an outstanding resume as a collegiate player and is a multiple-time MAC champion. Furthermore, Masha will bring a valuable perspective and inspiring energy to the position. I am fortunate to have her and Andrew Dobbs (student assistant coach) working with our team and I am excited to see the positive impact it has on our student-athletes."

Polishchuk played three years at Ball State before playing her final season at Texas Tech where she made waves on the regional and national stage.

"I am thankful to be back in the conference where it all started for me," Polishchuk said. "I cannot wait to start working with Ryan and the players and continue to help make the program better one day at a time."

Born in Siberia, Polishchuk made her way to the United States after graduating from 1282 GBOU School in Moscow, Russia, in 2020. She began her collegiate career at Ball State where she played No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles for the Cardinals during her three years in Muncie, Ind. With the Cardinals, she was named the 2023 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and the MAC Tournament MVP in 2023. A three-time All-MAC honoree, Polishchuk was selected to the second team as a freshman before twice earning first-team accolades.

She then transferred to Texas Tech where she played at No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles for the Red Raiders during the 2023-24 academic year and helped her squad achieve a national top-25 ranking and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. While in Lubbock, Texas, Polishchuk claimed the Big 12 title at No. 2 doubles in spring. Earlier in fall national events, she advanced to the semifinals of doubles at ITA Texas Regionals as well as reaching Round of 16 in singles.

A 2024 graduate of TTU with a degree in University Studies that included concentrations in Organizational Leadership, Integrative Studies, and Computing Applications, Polishchuk earned several academic honors including being named Academic All-MAC (2022-23) and Academic All-Big 12 (2023-24). She also was honored as a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete (2022 and 2024) and a 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District selection.

Stay up-to-date with EMU tennis by following their social media channels: Instagram (@emu_tennis), X (@EMUEaglesTennis), Facebook (EMUTennis).

The Masha Polishchuk File

Name: Mariya 'Masha' Polishchuk

Hometown: Moscow, Russia

High School: 1282 GBOU School

College: Texas Tech University - University Studies with Concentrations in Organizational Leadership, Integrative Studies, Computing Applications (2024)

Playing Experience:

- Texas Tech University (No. 2 Singles/No. 2 Doubles), 2023-24

- Ball State University (No.1 Singles/No.1 Doubles), 2020-23

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