COURTESY UH SPORTS INFORMATION
Martina Kostalova
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Four years after following a friend to Hawaii, Martina Kostalova finds herself in a leadership position with the Rainbow Wahine tennis team.
Kostalova was introduced to the sport at 6 by the father of Katarina Poljakova in their hometown, Vysoke Tatry, Slovakia. So when Poljakova decided to pursue college tennis at UH, Kostalova was intrigued by the stories and photos she shared.
Kostalova joined Poljakova, who finished her UH career in 2013, in Manoa and now has two more teammates from Slovakia — junior Paulina Petriskova and freshman Viktoria Malova.
"I have good American friends or other European friends, but it’s really nice to have someone who speaks your language," Kostalova said.
The Wahine next play in the ITA Regionals Oct. 16-20 in San Diego.
>> Class: Senior
>> Major: Travel industry management
>> Statistically speaking: Enters the year as team captain … Was 15-9 in singles last year … Started Big West Conference play winning her first six matches before losing in the conference semifinals … was all-Big West honorable mention. |