Junior tennis player Darya Ivanov’s transfer to the University may have been a blessing for her as well as the Bulldogs.

Ivanov’s transfer from Tulane University was finalized in July and in December, Tulane announced that due to the financial burden of the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort, eight sports, including women’s tennis, would not compete this year.

If Ivanov did not transfer when she did, the racket might have been out of her hands.

“As far as I know, I would have been stuck, just probably practicing. Not doing anything,” Ivanov said.

Despite being in Athens, Katrina was still upsetting for Ivanov.

Ivanov saw pictures of her old apartment flooded with over five-feet of water.

Ivanov also knew many people, including her older sister Maria, who had to escape the area.

“The whole week I just had tears in my eyes,” Ivanov said. “It was sad and disappointing how the government responded.”

Currently, Maria is finishing up her degree at Tulane.

Last year, Maria and Darya played doubles together and were ranked No. 28 in the country.

This year, Ivanov has already proven her worth for the Lady Bulldogs, especially in doubles.

Ivanov and doubles partner Evgenia Subbotina won the 2005 SEC Coaches Fall Classic in November. The duo currently ranks No. 20 in the nation.

“I feel that we have a special bond just because we are both Russian and can communicate in Russian, but also she is a very good player,” Ivanov said. “I think we suit each other very well.”

Subbotina said she enjoys playing and hanging out with Ivanov, who frequently quotes the “Dave Chappelle Show.”

“On the court she is really serious,” Subbotina said. “But she can go from serious to being goofy in five minutes.”

Subbotina was one of the reasons that Ivanov decided to transfer.

Subbotina, Ivanov and junior Shadisha Robinson previously met playing junior tennis.

Ivanov said she was also attracted to Georgia because of the stature of the program.

“From the outside Georgia looks so professional, and they look like a very competitive team,” Ivanov said.

Ivanov, who was born in Uzbekistan and then moved to Australia when she was 10, said she is glad to be settled in Athens after all of her moving.

In the future, Ivanov said she wants to stay in America.

“I feel that America is the place for me because it is busy, especially Atlanta and the northern cities,” Ivanov said.