BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head women's tennis coach Terry Ann Zawacki-Woods announces the addition of Samantha Gillas, Elizabet Danilova, Rita Pinto, Annie Clark and Jade Woo to the team for the 2018-19 season.
"We are very excited about our newest Hokies," said Zawacki-Woods. "All five are hardworking, enthusiastic and team players. They have been successful not only on the court, but also in the classroom and their communities. They all bring a wealth of experience to Blacksburg and we can't wait to get started!"
Samantha Gillas
New Braunfels, Texas
Prior to Virginia Tech:Five-Star recruit… Ranked as high as 19th according to tennisrecruting.net… Texas State Champion as an individual… Texas State Team Champion with New Braunfels High School… Nationals doubles finalist in the Winter Nationals... SCMZ Championships…. Consistently a top-five ranked player in Texas.
Personal:Daughter of Judith and Timothy Gillas… Has a sister, Lilly Gillas who is an All-American tennis player at the University of Georgia… Has played a multitude of sports including basketball, volleyball, and track.
Reason for choosing Virginia Tech: "I was drawn to the famous ACC conference and the excellent school that is Virginia Tech. I respect and like the coaching staff which makes the Hokies the perfect fit."
Elizabet Danailova
Sofia, Bulgaria
Prior to Virginia Tech:One of the highest ranked Juniors from Bulgaria… Six top three finishes in the Bulgaria Summer and Winter Nationals in the last five years… 2012 and 2013 Bulgarian Nationals Champion… 2013, 2015, 2016 doubles Nationals Champion… ITF Juniors G5 titles in Albania, Luxemburg, and Bulgaria… Has been a member of the Bulgarian national team since 2012... Has competed nine times in the European Summer and Winter cups… Made four appearances in the European Junior Championships…. Transfer from Georgia State… Went 8-9 at the one and two singles and played primarily number one doubles
Personal:Daughter of Rumen Danailova and Danica Danailova.
Rita Pinto
Lisbon, Portugal
Prior to Virginia Tech:Eight-time tennis European tournament Champion (singles and doubles)… Member of the Portuguese National team… Competed in the European Championships (individual and teams) nine times… Ranked first (u18) and second (seniors) in the National Tournament… Champion in doubles national championships (u14, u16 and u18)… WTA Singles Ranking: 1223; Doubles WTA rank - 906 (Best 814); Tennis Europe Ranking: 66
Personal: Daughter of Ana Maria and Vasco Pinto.
Reason for choosing Virginia Tech:"Virginia Tech is a top university in the United States. Tech and the tennis coach's priority is to develop young women like me to become top student-athletes. I also strongly identify with Virginia Tech's motto "Ut Prosim" (That-I-May-Serve) which is very similar to my high school motto "Ser-a-Server" (To-be-of-Service). Coach Zawacki-Woods' enthusiasm and determination since our first contact and the connection felt with Virginia Tech was crucial to my final choice."
Annie Clark
Oakton, Va.
Prior to Virginia Tech: Ranked third for the class of 2018 in Virginia… Four-Star recruit… Earned a spot on the Hot 100 list for the class of 2018 on tennisrecruiting.net… Four-Time First Team all MET for the DMV area… Was ranked as high as 60th nationally in June.
Personal:Daughter of Kristin and Terry Clark
Reason for choosing Virginia Tech:"I chose Virginia Tech because I loved the balance between academics and athletics that I found there. Everybody is willing to help one another and I knew there would be a great support system for me. Plus I already had Hokie blood with my sister there."
Jade Woo
Richmond, Va.
Prior to Virginia Tech: Ranked 13th in the USTA Mid Atlantic 18 rankings… Ranked fourth in the state of Virginia... Earned top 20 in the USTA Mid Atlantic 16 and under rankings… Competed in ITF tournaments in High School… Experience on national clay courts.
Reason for choosing Virginia Tech:"I choose VT because of the atmosphere, support system and the way the athletes are treated. I was also able to see myself happy here with or without tennis as well. I knew by coming here I would have more than enough resources to be successful."
