Former Razorback Standout Lenka Stara Named Women’s Tennis Assistant Coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Women’s tennis head coach Tucker Clary has named former Razorback standout Lenka Stara as an assistant coach.

“We are thrilled to bring Lenka back to our program as an Assistant Coach,” Clary said. “She was an integral part of the success we had the past three years, and we know she will serve just as important of a role in her next chapter as a coach for the program. Adding Lenka brings a dynamic that will upgrade areas of our program immediately and we all cannot wait to get to work and start this journey together.”

Stara joins the coaching staff after a successful career as a player at Arkansas and Oklahoma State and is currently T-5th in program history for career doubles wins as a Razorback (35 w/Grace O’Donnell). Stara recorded double digit wins in singles and doubles in each of her three seasons as a Hog, including a 21-9 mark in doubles during the 2022-23 season.

“I am thrilled to be coming back to Arkansas where as a player I found my love for tennis again,” Stara said. “This university means the world to me and I know that there is no place I would rather be to start my collegiate coaching career. Playing for Tucker, I know what the program expects and what it takes to have success. I am excited to use those experiences to help the next generation of Razorbacks!”

In her final season as a Razorback, Stara collected overall records of 10-15 in singles and 14-16 in doubles. During the fall season, Stara reached the Round of 32 at the ITA Central Region Championships for the second consecutive year. Stara competed primarily on courts three and four during the dual season and finished 7-10 in the spring. Stara opened the year with two consecutive wins while recording four victories in her final five matches in which she finished to conclude the regular season.

In doubles, Stara teamed up with O’Donnell to earn their only ranked win of the season together after defeating No. 38 Brumfield/Cadar (Maryland) at the ITA All-American Championships in the fall. Stara and O’Donnell posted a 9-11 dual record at the No. 2 position and ended the regular season winning five of their final six matches. At the end of her senior season, Stara received recognition as a member of the CSC Academic All-District team, the SEC Academic Honor Roll and as an ITA Scholar-Athlete.

During her junior season, Stara posted a 14-19 overall record in singles play. In the fall, Stara went 5-6 where she advanced to the Round of 32 at the ITA Central Region Championships. Stara played at the No. 4 position through the dual season, holding a 9-13 record. In SEC play, Stara won five straight matches, including a win over Texas A&M’s Daria Smetannikov as well as clinching the upset over No. 12 Auburn for the Hogs.

In doubles play, Stara and O’Donnell ended the season on a six-match winning streak to improve to 21-9 overall. At the conclusion of her junior campaign, Stara received recognition as a member of the CSC Academic All-District team, the SEC Academic Honor Roll and as an ITA Scholar-Athlete.

In 2021-22, Stara was a mainstay in the Arkansas lineup at the No. 4 position in singles and with partner Laura Rijkers on court two in doubles. Stara rolled into the dual season with an 11-match winning streak, going 8-0 on court four to start the spring. Stara finished the year with a 15-7 record at the No. 4 position, going 17-7 overall.

In doubles, Stara and Rijkers went 4-0 on court one and 10-10 at the No. 2 position for the Razorbacks, ending the season on a three-match winning streak. The duo earned their first ranked win of the season over No. 47 Reasco/Vidmanova (Georgia) to clinch the doubles point. Stara was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in addition to receiving ITA Scholar-Athlete honors to close her sophomore season.

As a freshman at Oklahoma State, Stara went 9-1 overall in singles play, including an 8-1 mark at the No. 6 position in addition to a 3-0 record against ITA ranked players. Stara posted an 8-1 overall doubles record with partner Bunyawi Thamchaiwat with seven victories coming on court two for the Cowgirls. At the end of the season, Stara received recognition as an ITA Scholar-Athlete.