Aug. 18, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - Head Tennis Coach Brandon Padgett and the Kennesaw State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the hiring of Pavla Mesterova as an assistant women's tennis coach in a statement released Monday by the Department.

Mesterova joins the Owls staff following a highly successful four-year collegiate playing career during which she was a four-time First team All-Conference selection and twice a Conference player of the Year.

"I am excited to have Pavla join our coaching staff," said Padgett. "She has the intangibles that will help us take that next step toward the top of the A-Sun."

A native of Prague, Czech Republic, Mesterova put together an impressive prep career on the Czech and European junior circuits before beginning her collegiate career at the University of Texas at Arlington. In her first and only season at UT Arlington, Mesterova earned First Team All Southland Conference honors after being named the conference's Freshman and Player of the Year.

Following her successful freshman campaign, she transferred to Loyola-Marymount in Los Angeles where she earned First Team All West Coast Conference honors in all three seasons. Mesterova was also named LMU's Newcomer and Female Co-Athlete of the Year in her first season with the Lions.

She was named the WCC Player of the Year in 2006-07 after gaining a national ranking as high as No. 40 in singles and No. 29 in doubles. She was also the third alternate at the 2007 NCAA Singles Championships. In addition to her All-Conference honors, she earned an at-large selection to compete in the ITA National Indoor Championships during her senior year.

"Pavla is bringing with her a great intercollegiate resume, said Director of Tennis Operations T.J. Greggs. "Her experience on the national scene in Division I will be great for our players. She is certainly going to be able to help them prepare for events like the ITA Regional in Athens, and for the conference season."

An excellent student in the classroom as well as the tennis court, Mesterova made the WCC All-Academic team in both her junior and senior seasons at LMU.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the team and helping them get ready for the season," said Mesterova on joining the staff. "I hope to help the team continue to improve by sharing with them some of my experience."

Mesterova joins the Owls staff after serving as a counselor and tennis instructor at Carmel Valley Tennis Camp in Carmel, Calif. She will be charged with the task of organizing and helping run practice and training drills as well as assisting with on-court coaching and recruiting.