Novansky Was A Quick Fit With The Bulldogs
April 28, 2023 | Men's Tennis
STARKVILLE – Less than 10 days after arriving on Mississippi State's campus, Michal Novansky was already on the court competing in a match for the Bulldogs.
Novansky arrived as a midyear enrollee in January, just in time for MSU's dual match season to start. Since then, the true freshman from Trnava, Slovakia has been an integral part of the 16th-ranked Bulldogs' success this spring.
"It's cool to see him fit into our culture so easily," said MSU assistant coach Jake Jacoby. "He loves being here and is seeing all the benefits on and off the court of being here. He's learning a whole lot. We've had a good spring season so far and he'll get to experience what it's like to be a solid contender in the NCAAs. He's maturing a lot as an older freshman and we enjoy having him."
Novansky's quick adaptation to his new surroundings was aided by having already established relationships with most of State's roster before he ever arrived in Starkville. He met Nemanja Malesevic at an event overseas and actually played against Gregor Ramskogler in a tournament last summer. He was aware of fellow freshmen Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez Martinez and had spoken to past players Giovanni Oradini and Florian Broska about their time as Bulldogs.
"It was easy to be a newcomer in the group," Novansky said.
And while Novansky fit in with his new teammates right away, there were other aspects of the transition that were a little more difficult.
"It's a new environment so there's just general stuff to adjust to," Novansky said. "From my country, there is a seven-hour difference. The practices are also a little harder so my body had to adjust to that. I also had to open up more to the boys and the coaches. School was also pretty tough and for the first month and a half, I felt a little bit lost. But now I'm on a great path."
Novansky's path has positioned him for positive results on the court as well. He has posted a 7-4 record in singles and is currently one-half of the nation's No. 85 doubles team with Malesevic. That duo knocked off the fifth-ranked tandem in the country, Georgia's Trent Bryde and Ethan Quinn, 6-2 on the road in the regular season finale.
Novansky, however, did not feel any pressure against such a highly-ranked opponent because he simply did not know what number they had beside their name going into the match.
"I know that generally Georgia is a great team and they are high in the rankings, but I did not know that those guys are that high in the rankings in doubles," Novansky said. "Memo and I just focused on our game and I think we played very well. We held our service games pretty good and took two breaks, which were incredible games."
Novansky began his college career by winning four of his first five singles matches. He also clinched the Bulldogs' 5-2 win over UAB earlier this season and has played as high as No. 4 in the singles lineup.
"I just want to do my job great, as much as I can," Novansky said. "I want to help the team and also improve myself in every possible way."
Originally, it was a difficult decision for Novansky to choose to come to college after already experiencing his share of achievements on the ITF circuit. He was ranked as highly as 61st in the ITF Junior rankings (second highest of any Slovakian last year) and had a career-best 13.1 Universal Tennis Ranking.
But looking back on things, Novansky is certain he made the correct choice and has already grown on and off the court during the first few months at Mississippi State.
"I love the boys honestly," Novansky said. "We are a hell of a group and I really like it. I love the whole environment. Everyone is really nice here to me and really friendly. I love the school. I've had so much fun. I am not a social guy and I am a little shy when it comes to meeting new people, but it was so easy to find new friends."
Novansky and his Bulldog teammates will still have a little more time together before his freshman year wraps. MSU is busy preparing for the NCAA Championships and will learn their postseason fate on Monday at 5:30 p.m. when the bracket is announced.
