By: Jenessa Maxilom
For NMSU Media Relations
LAS CRUCES – Aleksa Costa and Isabela Kulaif were two girls growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, who met and fostered a bond of friendship through the sport of tennis. The two parted ways when Costa enrolled at New Mexico State University and Kulaif at the University of Texas-El Paso in 2006. Though time and distance tested the athletes’ friendship, tennis has brought them back together to play for the NMSU Aggies.
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Aleksa Costa |
Costa, who has been playing for the Aggies since her freshman year, expressed that she felt it was fate that brought her to NMSU. In Costa’s freshman season at NMSU she won the Houston Quad Tournament Flight C singles draw. During her sophomore yea r she was named second team All-WAC in doubles play with Sophia Marks.
Kulaif, who competed for the Miners her freshman year, explained that one reason she had transferred to NMSU was because her best friend was here. Kulaif brings her experience as the No. 2 singles player at UTEP to the Aggies already powerful line-up.
Both Costa and Kulaif explained that there were limited opportunities to play tennis and attend universities in Brazil. The two were enthusiastic about studying and being able to play on the same team again. With their friendship founded in tennis, the two have a level of camaraderie as strong as sisters.
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Isabela Kulaif |
“It’s great,” Kulaif said in regards to Costa. “I have someone who is almost like family whom I can play tennis with.”
“It’s crazy, we have a whole history of tennis together,” Costa said. “We can just look at each other, laugh, and say remember that day? We get along very well and we have never had a competition or rivalry between us. We would travel for ten weeks in a row and we wouldn’t fight.”
Assistant coach Ivan Fernandez discussed how he thought it was beneficial to have players from the same country playing together as it makes the transition a lot easier for them. Fernandez also said that he enjoyed receiving players from different cultures because they can come and experience the U.S. together.
Costa and Kulaif have worked and played together for years, and now they have the chance to do so again. NMSU gives them the ability to renew that bond in a setting where they can further their education, hone their skills and pursue their dreams. Throughout the upcoming season, and all their years here, these two will enjoy it all the more together.
Courtesy: New Mexico State University
