ATLANTA -- Head coach Alex Leatu's tennis journey appears to have gone full circle, as she prepares to face best friend and former teammate in head coach of Appalachian State during this weekend's slate of matches. After battling the Mountaineers on the road Saturday, the Panthers will travel to South Carolina for a Sunday morning tilt against Coastal Carolina.
Leatu began her collegiate tennis career at Vanderbilt. During her sophomore season she met then rookie, Ashleigh Antal. Their friendship was nearly instantaneous and the duo were inseparable. Despite spending nearly every moment of each day together in class, study hall, practice, and walking around campus, they never grew tired of one another. Not only were they best friends, but due to their similar personalities and appearances, many people often mistook them for one another.
Leatu's favorite tennis memory with Antal came during the Florida State Seminole Classic where the pair teamed up in doubles action. During the event, both players were battling injury. Leatu had to serve underhand, instead of her aggressive overhead serve, due to issues with her shoulder. Meanwhile, Antal could not hit backhands due to wrist complications. The doubles tandem enjoyed figuring out and playing this patchworked version of tennis. They even found much success, winning their bracket in the tournament.
Although tennis brought the two together, the sport it is often what has kept them apart. Leatu finished her collegiate career at Baylor. As they have both coached around the country, the once inseparable best friends have had to be separated. Despite the distance and passing time, the pair have kept in close contact. This weekend's match between the two conference foes will be a welcomed reunion for the two head coaches, who have not been able to see each other in person for a few years.
"We are back full back full circle coaching against one another," said Leatu. "It is going to be a fun challenge. Nothing weird, it will just be really fun. Most importantly, we have always pushed each other to be our best. If we can do that as college kids, I cannot wait to see how we do that as adults coaching in the same conference."
This weekend's matches open Georgia State's Sun Belt action and will mark the first conference contests since 2019. The Panthers (2-6) will face a Mountaineers team that holds a 1-5 record, defeating Western Carolina in their second week of competition. Next, Georgia State will face a Coastal Carolina team that is riding a four-match winning streak.
Fans can follow along with this weekend's matches via live stats. For more news and notes follow Georgia State women's tennis on Instagram (@GSUWomensTennis) and Twitter (@GSUWTennis).
