Assistant Women's Tennis Coach Toni Neykova

01/01/00

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Assistant Coach Toni Neykova (Iowa, 2002)

Toni Neykova enters her third season as the Tribe’s assistant women’s tennis coach. She joined the William and Mary family in the fall of 2008. Prior to accepting the position at the College, Neykova was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Iowa, for six seasons from 2002-08.

In her first two seasons, the Tribe has amassed 24 dual-match wins and advanced to the CAA Championship match in 2010. The College was ranked No. 56 nationally and No. 4 in the ITA Atlantic Region at the end of 2010. During the 2009 campaign, W&M finished the year ranked No. 49 nationally. It total, the College has produced six All-CAA singles players and three All-CAA doubles teams during Neyova's two seasons.

During her six years as an assistant coach with the Hawkeyes, Iowa racked up an overall record of 78-58, while making three NCAA Tournament appearances. The Hawkeyes earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament during the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons. In 2006, Iowa was 18-6 overall and 9-1 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes finished a program-best second in the Big Ten standings. During the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 campaigns, Iowa advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Over Neykova’s six years, Iowa players earned All-Big Ten honors on eight occasions, including a Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004.

Neykova had an illustrious career as a tennis player for Iowa. She played from 1999-2002 and received many accolades, including being named an All-Big Ten selection all four years and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1999. In 1999 and 2000, Neykova qualified for the NCAA tournament in doubles with teammate Shera Wiegler. In 2002, Neykova became the first woman from the University of Iowa to qualify for the NCAA tournament in singles. Neykova helped the Hawkeyes to four NCAA Tournament bids during her time in Iowa City, including a regional title and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1999.

Neykova started playing tennis at age six in a local tennis club in her hometown of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. She learned quickly and was named the Bulgarian Junior National Champion in the Under 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 age divisions. She teamed up with former Hawkeye Deni Alexandrova to win the Bulgarian National Women’s doubles title in 1997, and she became the Bulgarian National Women’s singles champion in 1998. Neykova was a member of the Bulgarian Junior National Team for five years and achieved a WTA singles ranking of 650 from 1997-1999.

Neykova received her B.B.A. from Iowa in economics in May 2002 and her M.A. in athletic administration in May 2006.