Maria Kononova (2025) - North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame

Maria Kononova

Induction:
2025
Class:
2019

Kononova came to UNT from Russia and elevated the women's tennis program by setting nearly every program record. A four-year first team all-conference honoree, Kononova graduated as the program's all-time leader in career dual-match singles wins (82), single season dual-match single wins (31) and as a junior earned the highest ITA ranking in program history (41). In 2018 she became the first UNT women's tennis player selected to the NCAA Individual Championship. Earlier that season Kononova defeated the nation's No. 2 overall ranked singles player, breaking her own record for the highest ranked singles win in program history. She defeated the No. 16 nationally ranked single player the year prior. In doubles, Kononova and UNT teammate Tamuna Kutubidze won 69 total matches together and won the 2018 ITA Regional Doubles Championship title earning the program's first-ever bid to the NCAA National Doubles Tournament. The duo won a program record 17 straight doubles matches at one point.