All-News4JAX girls tennis: From cut to starring role, Bolles star Karina Kirov grateful for her path

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Karina Kirov wasn’t a fan of tennis when she first started. The Bolles senior actually hated the sport.

But a second look at the sport stuck and Kirov became one of the most consistent players in the Bulldogs lineup.

Kirov was unbeatable until the state tournament, building off a two-loss regular season in 2023 to plow through every area challenger and claim All-News4JAX girls tennis player of the year honors.

It was a tough road to get there, but Kirov said that she couldn’t change a thing. Challenges and struggles build character and Kirov said she was grateful for the path she traveled.

“I think starting from, let’s say the bottom, and just working your way up to the top, you learn a lot of lessons, you learned a lot of humility,” Kirov said.

“You learned about respecting your teammates and competing against them, but also at the end of the day still being on a team together, which is something that’s a little bit difficult at times, but something that once you learn and understand is very important to carry on in life. But for sure, it’s an experience I’m very grateful for.”

That journey was far from easy. When Kirov and her family moved to the area, her mom signed enrolled her in just about everything. Swimming. Dancing. Arts. Tennis.

“I actually initially hated it. So, I quit,” Kirov said. “My mom was really involved in all the adult leagues in Florida and she kind of advertised it as like a sport you can do even when you’re older. So, I was like, I might as well pick it up again. And then second time’s a charm, I guess, because it really took off from there.”

Kirov was interested in other things besides tennis, but it slowly pulled her back in. She tried out for the Bolles team in sixth grade and got cut. When tryouts rolled around the following season, Kirov made it. She played on the varsity team the rest of her high school career. Now, she’ll concentrate full time on academics in college at UCLA, but knows that her future will be better because of her tennis journey.

“I think across all six years, I think it’s always really important to be a team player, regardless of where you are, whether you’re the best on the team or to the team, I think that’s really important … ,” Kirov said. “As an upperclassman, junior, senior playing line one, being able to sort of mentor the younger girls or the middle schoolers on the team and especially the new people … it was super exciting.”

All-News4JAX first team

Player, school, class

Katrina Kirov, Bolles, Sr.

All-News4JAX player of the year is a two-time All-News4JAX selection. Unbeaten in singles until the Class 2A state tournament semifinals. Went 10-1 in the regular season for regional champ Bulldogs.

Kylie Kochis, Nease, Jr.

Three-time All-News4JAX selection. Was top player in 2023. Went 9-2 at top singles spot and 11-1 in No. 1 doubles. Three-star recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network.

Rafa Neel, Bolles, Fr.

Lost just once in No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles during the regular season. Added three wins at No. 1 singles. Didn’t drop another match in either until semifinals of Class 2A tournament.

Adriah Tongkhuya, Tocoi Creek, So.

Went 11-1 to lead a strong Toros team, with her lone loss in straight sets to Nease star Kochis. Went 10-3 at the No. 1 doubles spot. Is a combined 46-7 in singles and doubles over her first two seasons.

Danielle Wei, Nease, So.

Went 10-3 in singles at the Nos. 1 and 2 position. No losses to area players. Teamed with first-teamer Kochis to go 11-3 in doubles at No. 1 position.

Katie Wong, Stanton, Jr.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Went 11-3 at the No. 1 singles spot, with those losses against fellow first-teamers (Kirov, Kochis, Neel). Also 11-3 in doubles, with only losses against those three players in doubles, too.

Second team

Player, school, class

Caroline Cooper, Creekside, So.

Went 6-2 at the No. 1 singles position, with only losses coming to Nease first-team selections, Kochis and Wie. Finished 5-3 at the top doubles spot.

Amy Cox, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

Very strong in the No. 1 doubles spot, going 13-3 for region champs with teammate Ashley Larger.

Emma Ferguson, Stanton, Jr.

Went 12-1 with the lone loss at No. 2 singles to first-teamer Danielle Wei. Added 11-3 mark at the No. 1 doubles position with Katie Wong.

Ashley Larger, Ponte Vedra, So.

Went combined 12-5 at the Nos. 1 and 2 singles spots. At the top doubles position, went 15-5 and helped Sharks reach the Class 3A semifinals.

Kaylee Munson, Fletcher, Fr.

Went 11-1 at No. 1 singles in a strong first season. Long singles loss came to Stanton first-teamer, Katie Wong. Finished 9-2 at No. 1 doubles.

Annabelle Rockwell, Episcopal, So.

Solid No. 2 player for the Eagles, she went 12-5 at that spot and 5-0 at No. 3. Was 10-8 combined in Nos. 1 and 2 doubles.

Honorable mention

Player, school, class

Cora Anderson, Episcopal, Fr.

Calli Berrang, St. Johns Country Day, So.

Audrey Brown, Wolfson, Fr.

Claire Caven, Providence, Sr.

Saylor Clough, Providence, Sr.

Lizzy Damon, Tocoi Creek, So.

Emma Dillard, Hilliard, So.

Grace Dunton, Bolles, Jr.

Ella-Jane Eddy, Episcopal, Jr.

Alanna Griffin, Bartram Trail, So.

Emma Griner, Stanton, Sr.

Ava Hess, Beachside, Sr.

Zofi Huszcza, Nease, So.

Sarah Jensen, Fleming Island, Sr.

Tatiana Leontyeva, Flagler Palm Coast, So.

Miella Matteo, Sandalwood, Jr.

Grace Mitchell, Episcopal, Fr.

Blair Murray, Nease, So.

Kyla Proctor, Jackson, Sr.

Trista Rife, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.

Emily Sammons, Nease, Fr.

Cait Sheehan, Ponte Vedra, So.