K-State have announced the hiring of new coach, as well as three student-athletes–Sana Garakani, Zali Morris, and Zhanel Rustemova–for the 2024-25 season.
Shaw, née Klimova, played for the Wildcats under Steve Bietau, K-State’s longest-tenured coach, from 2004 to 2008. Over four seasons, she went 31-48 in singles and 50-49 in doubles, including a 20-12 record in Big 12 matches. Shaw was then appointed to the coaching staff for the 2008-09 season and remained with the Cats for five seasons.
“Incredibly excited and fortunate to have Olga returning to our tennis program,” according to Smith. “Having another former player and coach on staff will help the program achieve more success in the future. Olga was a standout player for the Cats and served as an assistant to one of the best players in school history. It’s a fantastic addition, and our players will gain significantly from her.
Shaw’s most notable recruit was Petra Niedermayerova (2010-14), a two-time ITA All-American and the 2011 Big 12 Freshman/Player of the Year. Niedermayerova has several Kansas State marks, including the most career singles (105) and doubles (74) victories.
She won the No. 1 Big 12 singles title in 2011 and the No. 1 doubles title with Karla Bonacic in 2013.
Shaw joins fellow assistant coach Maria Linares for their first season back with the team.
Garakani is a junior transfer from Middle Tennessee who originally hails from Lisbon, Portugal. During her two seasons as a Blue Raider, she went 22-17 in spring singles, finishing first and second, and 15-21 in doubles.
Garakani won six singles and four doubles matches during her sophomore season in November 2023, earning CUSA Athlete of the Month. Garakani tied for the season lead in match clinches as a rookie, with four.
Morris was a freshman at Stetson University last season. Morris, who is originally from Beaumaris, Australia, was a member of the Hatters’ Atlantic Sun Conference Championship-winning team this spring. She finished the season with 13-6 singles, 7-1 in conference, and 9-6 doubles.
Rustemova, from Astana, Kazakhstan, will join the Cats as a freshman. Since March, she has competed in nine ITF World Tennis Tour events, finishing 9-10 in singles and 12-8 in doubles.
“I’m quite pleased with the three ladies we were able to bring in this fall. “We wanted to build on the success we had with our young group last season,” Smith explained. “I believe our two transfers and freshmen were exactly what we needed to meet our off-season objectives. It also helps that these three are both nice individuals and excellent tennis players. They’ll fit in perfectly with our team!”
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