RICHMOND, Va. – Former Women's Tennis star Martina (Nedelkova) Somoano was welcomed into the VCU Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Arguably the best player to wear a VCU uniform, Somoano stands alone at the top of the record books in career wins in both singles and doubles play.

"Martina was the first player who really put us on the map at the national level. She was the highest ranked female player we ever had. Overall she was just a great student-athlete who went on to receive a Master's degree", said VCU head tennis coach Paul Kostin.

During her tenure as a Ram from 1997-2002, she accumulated 135 singles wins, and 89 career doubles victories. In the 1997-98 season she recorded a career-high 48 single season victories in season play, which is also a school record.

A two-time ITA All-American (1998, 2001), Somoano advanced to the third round of the 1998 NCAA Singles Championship. She was also a driving force on VCU's 2002 squad that reached the Elite Eight.

Martina was one of six former athletes recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. Alongside her was Boris Kodjoe, who also played for Kostin.

"Both of them were a stepping stone for our success from the men's and women's side. They were both exceptional student-athletes, it was a privilege and delight for me to coach both of them." – Paul Kostin