Cancini Returning For Senior Season

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior tennis player Maty Cancini announced Tuesday that she will return for the 2020-21 season after this season was cut short due to COVID-19.

The NCAA announced last week that all spring sport student-athletes were allowed an extra year of eligibility, a decision the Iowa State Athletics Department and Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard strongly endorsed.

The Valencia, Venezuela native returns with 133 career victories, which is tied for the fifth most in school history. She is eighth with 61 career singles wins while playing primarily at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, while also ranking fifth with 72 doubles victories.

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"Another year, another opportunity to give back to the place that has given me everything," Cancini said. "I am extremely excited and grateful to have the opportunity to return for my senior season.

"This University is a special place and I truly believe that we are set up to do something special next season."

For head coach Boomer Saia, who will be in his third season leading the program, the return of Cancini bolsters a lineup poised to make moves.

"We are tremendously thankful to our administration and the NCAA for the opportunity for Maty to return next year," Saia said. "She has already had such an incredible career representing the Cyclone tennis team. She will be a vital asset to our team and program next year. It is a true honor to be able to coach Maty for one more season."

Prior to the season being ended prematurely, Cancini was 16-7 in singles action, posting winning records at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles. She was also 8-2 in the No. 2 doubles slot.

Cancini is a management major. She earned Academic All-Big 12 First-Team honors last season.