WTEN | Gaels Add Three Newcomers Ahead of New Season
8/11/2023 11:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MORAGA, Calif. – The new season means new faces, and the Saint Mary's Women's Tennis team are welcoming three new players to their roster this upcoming season.
Two transfers and one freshman are joining the team, providing a blend of youth and experience to the diverse roster.
The lone freshman joining the team is Sofia Daryaie. The Los Gatos, California native is no stranger to success, racking up numerous awards and wins throughout her junior tennis career. Some of her accolades include a #58 ranking on tennisrecruiting.net, ITF J5 San Diego Doubles Champion, 2x National Singles and Doubles Champion, and 5x National Singles and Doubles Finalist.
She was also ranked in the top 10 for 18 & under in Northern California singles play, as well as top 3 for 18 & under in Northern California doubles play.
Outside of tennis, Daryaie enjoys playing other sports in her free time, as well as drawing and baking. Numerous factors played in to Daryaie choosing Saint Mary's, "There was an immediate connection I felt with the women's tennis coaches, I could tell they worked very hard and truly cared about developing players. The great business program and the beautiful location close to home were also huge factors that contributed to my decision."
One of the two transfers joining SMC is MiaAngelina Ruja. The junior joins the Gaels from nearby University of the Pacific where she competed her freshman and sophomore seasons with the Tigers. During her freshman year, the El Paso, Texas native finished with a 9-8 overall singles record in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots and 3-10 doubles record. She was played in the fall before an injury halted her spring season.
After two years in Stockton, Rujs joined the Gaels, "because I had a good connection with the team as well as it being a beautiful campus."
Also joining Saint Mary's Women's Tennis this fall is Juliette Daries. The transfer from CSU Fullerton originally hails from France. Daries was born in Madrid, Spain but grew up in Montpellier, France, where she studied and fell in love with the sport of tennis.
During her freshman season at CSU Fullerton, Daries 12-5 overall in singles at both the No. 5 and No .6 spots and 6-1 in Big West play. During her sophomore campaign, she went 12-8 overall in singles, 5-4 as the No.3 singles player and 7-4 as the No.4 singles player. On the doubles side, Daries was 9-11 overall. She did not appear in any matches during her junior season due to injury.
Daries on why she chose Saint Mary's, "I chose SMC because of the good feelings I had with the tennis coaches and teammates. I appreciate particularly the athletic and academic programs with its athletic records and the renowned academic program with teachers close to the students, small classrooms, and a friendly atmosphere."
Look out for Daryaie, Ruja, and Daries when they take the court for the Gaels this fall.
#GaelsRise
Two transfers and one freshman are joining the team, providing a blend of youth and experience to the diverse roster.
The lone freshman joining the team is Sofia Daryaie. The Los Gatos, California native is no stranger to success, racking up numerous awards and wins throughout her junior tennis career. Some of her accolades include a #58 ranking on tennisrecruiting.net, ITF J5 San Diego Doubles Champion, 2x National Singles and Doubles Champion, and 5x National Singles and Doubles Finalist.
She was also ranked in the top 10 for 18 & under in Northern California singles play, as well as top 3 for 18 & under in Northern California doubles play.
Outside of tennis, Daryaie enjoys playing other sports in her free time, as well as drawing and baking. Numerous factors played in to Daryaie choosing Saint Mary's, "There was an immediate connection I felt with the women's tennis coaches, I could tell they worked very hard and truly cared about developing players. The great business program and the beautiful location close to home were also huge factors that contributed to my decision."
One of the two transfers joining SMC is MiaAngelina Ruja. The junior joins the Gaels from nearby University of the Pacific where she competed her freshman and sophomore seasons with the Tigers. During her freshman year, the El Paso, Texas native finished with a 9-8 overall singles record in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots and 3-10 doubles record. She was played in the fall before an injury halted her spring season.
After two years in Stockton, Rujs joined the Gaels, "because I had a good connection with the team as well as it being a beautiful campus."
Also joining Saint Mary's Women's Tennis this fall is Juliette Daries. The transfer from CSU Fullerton originally hails from France. Daries was born in Madrid, Spain but grew up in Montpellier, France, where she studied and fell in love with the sport of tennis.
During her freshman season at CSU Fullerton, Daries 12-5 overall in singles at both the No. 5 and No .6 spots and 6-1 in Big West play. During her sophomore campaign, she went 12-8 overall in singles, 5-4 as the No.3 singles player and 7-4 as the No.4 singles player. On the doubles side, Daries was 9-11 overall. She did not appear in any matches during her junior season due to injury.
Daries on why she chose Saint Mary's, "I chose SMC because of the good feelings I had with the tennis coaches and teammates. I appreciate particularly the athletic and academic programs with its athletic records and the renowned academic program with teachers close to the students, small classrooms, and a friendly atmosphere."
Look out for Daryaie, Ruja, and Daries when they take the court for the Gaels this fall.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
MBB | Saint Mary's vs. Santa Clara Highlights, 3-9-26
Monday, March 09
BSB | Saint Mary's vs. San Diego State Game 3 Highlights, 3-8-26
Sunday, March 08
SB | Saint Mary's at San Jose State Highlights, 3-8-26
Sunday, March 08
WBB | Saint Mary's vs. San Diego WCC Tournament Highlights, 3-5-26
Thursday, March 05
