PORTLAND – The Portland State women's tennis team announced the signing of Nika Beukers and Mariajose Hernandez C as part of its 2021 incoming freshman class. 

Putting pen to paper in late January, Beukers will arrive in Portland in the fall by way of Den Bosch, Netherlands. No stranger to success, Beukers has spent her entire junior career ranked in the top 10, her most current ranking sitting at number four.

"Recruiting is complicated this year but the decision to sign Nika was an easy one," second-year head coach Kyle Russell said. "She checks every box in what I'm looking for in a player. She has the athleticism, talent, and ambition which offer a promising future here at PSU."

During her decorated junior career, Beukers earned a trip to the quarterfinals in both doubles and singles at the Dutch Youth Championships to go along with 24 national tournament titles. The senior at Rodenborch College currently holds a senior ranking of 84 in the Netherlands. 

"Nika is a great student, has a great personality, and will be a joy to coach," Russell continued. "She clicked immediately with the team and there was a clear consensus this is somebody who embodies the ideals of Viking Tennis. We're excited to get her on campus next Fall."

Coming to the Rose City alongside Beukers will be Hernandez C, a native of Guatemala City, Guatemala who signed with the Vikings earlier this month. 

Following a junior career consisting of five ITF junior doubles titles and a trio of semifinal finishes in ITF singles competition, Hernandez C earned her first professional victories at both singles and doubles in 2019. 

The Guatemala Jr. Fed Cup team member was named Athlete of the Year in 2019 and was crowned a doubles champion at the JITIC (Caribbean & Central America) Championship in 2018. 

"Majo (Mariajose) is going to be a great addition to our team," Russell said. "She is incredibly driven and loves the game of tennis. I really like her playing style and I'm excited to coach her. Above all else, she is just a great person and will fit in seamlessly."

As for Hernandez C and Beukers, Russell and his squad have proven this season that there is no better time than now to join the Viking family. Continuing to defy the odds and exceed expectations there is no doubt that the future is bright for Viking's tennis and the newest additions to their program.