Brought to You by Sports Information FROM TAJIKISTAN TO LADY JACKET TENNIS Diana Ivanikhina has thrived as a member of Cedarville’s women’s tennis team ever since she arrived on campus. The journey — athletic and spiritual — of the senior biblical studies major from Tajikistan displays nothing short of God’s life-changing grace and mercy. “My journey to Cedarville is just a huge miracle from the Lord,” Diana stated. “God sent so many people into my life to help me.” She discovered her love for tennis while she and her older brother were living in an orphanage. The Lady Jackets’ No. 1 player learned how to play not from a coach or as a member of her high school team, like many of her teammates, but from YouTube. Her path to the United States came with help from David McKee, an American businessman she met in Tajikistan. She eventually landed at Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, Diana met Joe and Jayne McKanna, who became her adoptive parents and whose two sons had attended Cedarville. They were instrumental in her becoming a Yellow Jacket, and her BGSU coach was supportive of her transfer. As a Lady Jacket, Diana won 15 matches in each of her first two seasons, owns a career winning percentage of nearly .700, and is a two-time allconference honoree. Assistant Coach Kady Monson has been impressed by her growth into a standout player. “Diana is an incredibly talented player with great potential,” Monson said. “Her motivation is rooted in sharing the hope she has in Christ.” While Ivanikhina has enjoyed being a member of the tennis team, her greatest joy at Cedarville is the ability to learn more about God and worship with her classmates in chapel. “It is so incredibly wonderful how I can go every morning and worship the Lord with thousands of people," Diana said. “I'm so blessed to be able to learn so many things about my Lord and Savior here at Cedarville.” Hear Diana's inspiring testimony on the Cedarville Stories podcast: YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 38
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=