Klimchuk Named MEAC Rookie of the Year, Leads Trio of All-MEAC Honorees

4/22/2026 7:13:00 PM

CARY, N.C. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Co-Regular Season Champion Norfolk State women's tennis team earned three All-MEAC selections and a major award on Wednesday evening at the conference's annual awards ceremony.

Freshman Yana Klimchuk headlined the Spartans, earning MEAC Rookie of the Year honors while also being named to the All-MEAC Second Team. Yuliya Yurkova and Regina Urbiola each garnered First Team All-MEAC recognition.

Klimchuk made an immediate impact in her debut season, compiling a 13-2 singles record with three unfinished matches, including two in which she held the lead. She carried that success into conference play, posting a 5-1 MEAC record with wins over Delaware State, Howard, Coppin State, South Carolina State, and North Carolina Central.

In doubles action, Klimchuk added an 11-6 overall record, including a 4-2 mark in MEAC play, providing consistency across the Spartans' lineup.

Yurkova anchored the top of the lineup for Norfolk State, posting a 13-8 singles record primarily at the No. 1 position. She delivered key wins throughout the season, including a pivotal victory over East Carolina to help secure a team win, along with strong performances against Longwood, Wagner, Rider, and George Washington.

In MEAC play, Yurkova went 4-2 in singles while also excelling in doubles, where she compiled a 15-5 overall record across the top two flights. She paired with Klimchuk for a 4-1 mark in conference doubles play, forming one of the league's most consistent tandems.

Urbiola turned in one of the most dominant seasons on the team, finishing with a 15-3 singles record while primarily competing at the No. 3 position. She posted a perfect 5-0 mark in MEAC play and recorded multiple winning streaks throughout the season, highlighting her consistency and impact.

She also contributed in doubles with a 12-6 overall record, including a 4-2 mark in conference play, earning key victories across both conference and non-conference competition.

Norfolk State opens the 2026 MEAC Tennis Championships on Thursday as the No. 2 seed, facing No. 7 seed Coppin State in the quarterfinals at 8 a.m. All matches will be played at Cary Tennis Park, with live scoring available on the IOnSport app.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube), or visit nsuspartans.com.

2026 MEAC Women's Tennis Regular Season Awards
Women's Regular Season Champions - Morgan State & Norfolk State
Women's Coach of the Year - Nicholas Askew (HOW)
Women's Rookie of the Year - Yana Klimchuk (NSU)
Women's Player of the Year - Alejandra Hidalgo Vega (NCCU)

Women's First Team ALL MEAC