Lamar University Athletics

One of the top individual players in program history, Katya Lapayeva is now in her first season as a graduate assistant coach with the Cardinals. 

A four-year letterwinner for the Cardinals, Lapayeva wrapped up her collegiate career by being named 2017 Southland Conference Player of the Year. Just the third player in program history to receive the honor, Lapayeva guided the Cardinals to a 17-8 (.680) record, and the No. 2 overall seed in the conference tournament as a senior. It was the best performance by an LU squad since the 2011 season, and one of the top five single-season marks in school history.

Lapayeva tied for the Southland lead in singles victories as a senior posting a 19-3 (.864) record, but was the only player to play all 22 matches at the No. 1 singles position. In addition to her success in singles, Lapayeva also recorded 11 victories in doubles play. She was nearly unstoppable in conference play. The Belarus native posted a 10-1 (.909) record in Southland matches, and closed the season winning nine of her last 10 contests. She also received Southland Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. Lapayeva wrapped up her college career with 69 singles wins.