Know Your Bulldogs: Madison Harrison and Kristina Vozniak

Over 5,600 miles separate Bradenton, Fla. and Kiev, Ukraine, but distance doesn't matter when Mississippi State women's tennis can bring two strangers together to form one of the best duos in the country.

Juniors Madison Harrison, the Floridian, and Kristina Vozniak, the Ukrainian, compose State's 16^th-ranked doubles team after advancing to the Round of 16 at the 2016 NCAA Doubles Championship, helping cap off one off the most successful seasons for MSU women's tennis.

"Getting to play in the NCAA Doubles Championship was a goal of mine throughout the year," Harrison said with a smile. "To achieve that goal with such an outstanding partner and inspiring coaches made it an even more enjoyable experience. We beat a good team first round and had good chances of beating the top-ranked doubles team in the next round."

"Playing in the NCAA tournament last spring, with one of my best friends was the cherry on top for my first spring at Mississippi State," Vozniak said with complete happiness. "I am really thankful I got to share the court with Madison, who knows my game really well. The NCAAs is a great tournament, where there are no easy matches or opponents and it felt great to be on that level."

The girls were four points away from being granted All-American honors, a goal the pairs wants to accomplish this season when they take the court again this spring.

"Having a partner in doubles is neat because you have someone on the court with you and you get to experience all of the highs and lows that happen during a match together," Harrison said. "I'm most looking forward to competing with my team and sharing those high and low moments together."

The tandem of Harrison and Vozniak became the second MSU pair in program history to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 in doubles, joining 1989 NCAA Doubles champions Jackie Holden and Claire Pollard. The duo finished the 2015-16 season with a 7-7 record, with four of their seven wins coming against ranked opponents.

Both players have endured injuries over the fall and have not been able to compete together as a doubles tandem.

"Kris and I have both battled with injuries this fall, but we have a great support system that has helped us keep our heads up, so I'm confident that we can have a strong spring season," Harrison said with determination.

"This fall was one of the hardest for me, as I can't really step on the court due to injury," Vozniak said. "I have learned a lot during these weeks without played and I am counting down the hours and days until I get to be back."

Know Your Bulldogs: Madison Harrison and Kristina Vozniak

Players Mentioned

Madison Harrison

Khrystyna Vozniak

Mississippi State University Athletics