When Emina Bektas was looking for a college to continue her tennis career, the most important factor was a tight-knight team atmosphere.
At Michigan, she found exactly what she wanted.
“I went to a team dinner and I could just kind of tell that it was such a team and such a family atmosphere,” Bektas said. “You could just tell that the girls got along so well.”
Bektas attended the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in Texas, where she focused on individual development. However, her participation in an academy didn’t mean she didn’t get to experience the team aspect of the game.
“We had team (competitions) in our region and district,” Bektas said. “Every time I had those tournaments, they were always the most fun,” Bektas said. “Just being around a group of girls that love being there, that love being around each other and with the coaches.
“I knew that that’s what I wanted. I loved the team atmosphere.”
One thing Bektas didn’t need coming into college was time to adjust. Bektas immediately competed in the No. 1 position for the Wolverines in every dual match her freshman year, going 32-10 overall. She also excelled in doubles, finishing the season with a 33-10 record playing in the No. 1 doubles position, paired with then-sophomore Brooke Bolender.
“I thought she would really blossom in the college tennis format,” said Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein. “She stepped in and played No. 1 all four years and was dominant there, which, to have somebody up top like that that’s winning and competing so hard and giving us that point almost every match, was huge for our program and she made a huge impact.”
That success carried over into her sophomore year, when she finished the season ranked No. 33 individually, and fourth in doubles with Bolender.
Though she stepped into a big role in her first two years, there was still room to grow as a leader on the team.
“I remember going back home for Christmas break (junior year), and I sort of started figuring things out,” Bektas said. “I knew that since I was finally able to help myself, I was able to pull the other girls with me as well. I mean, obviously it wasn’t perfect along the way, I still had my moments, but (that realization) helped me out a lot.”
Coming off that break in her junior year, she took her play up another level, setting a Michigan record for singles wins in a season with 38. She kept it going in her senior year, going 33-8, leading Michigan to its first Big Ten Tournament title and winning her second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award.
She also helped to usher in the next generation of Wolverines, taking her new doubles partner, freshman Alex Najarian, under her wing on the way to a 30-9 record with her new teammate.
Bektas finished her college career with more accolades than she could keep track of. She ends her career as Michigan’s all-time leader in singles wins and overall wins. On top of the team wins record, Bektas was unanimously voted first team Big Ten all four years of her time as a Wolverine.
“I think Emina, through her four years, matured in that (leadership) role and understood it more,” Bernstein said. “I don’t think she understood it when she first came in, so definitely by her senior year it was really important to her, and she did a great job in that role making sure everybody was (comfortable) in the team.”
Bektas came to Michigan looking for a close team, and she found one. In return, she gave them more than they could ever ask for.