The upcoming season will mark new beginnings for the Cowgirl tennis program as head coach Chris Young‘s squad will add four fresh faces to the mix, which includes three returners.
Among those newcomers is Finland native Oona Orpana, who decided to bring her talents to Stillwater courtesy of the persistence in recruiting from assistant coach Jaime Sanchez-Canamares.
“I always said college wasn’t for me,” Orpana said. “Jaime was the one person to change my mind. It was never my plan to attend college in America, but it’s a great opportunity and I know I would regret it in the future if I didn’t come here.”
Orpana received several messages from college coaches but never responded to them. On the other hand, Sanchez-Canamares consistently encouraged Orpana and talked to her about life at Oklahoma State.
“After the things he told me on the phone about OSU was when I told my parents I want to go to college,” Orpana said. “He told me about how he’s seen my play for many years in juniors and believes in me.”
A native of Spain, Sanchez-Cañamares was a four-time NAIA All-American, competing at Fresno Pacific, Oklahoma Christian, and Embry-Riddle.
The Cowgirls have the perfect storm with the coaching staff having the international experience of Sanchez-Canamares and Oklahoma native Chris Young.
“I think Jaime can relate to what it’s like to come to the United States, study a different language and adjust to life here because he’s done it himself,” Orpana said. “It’s nice to have a coach from America and one from Europe because they can give different perspectives on the game and life.”
Orpana grew up in a small city in Finland before moving to Helsinki, the capital. Oona began playing tennis when she was five after seeing her older cousin play. Orpana’s resume speaks for itself.
“At age eight and nine, I was the top of my class,” Orpana said. “When I was 10, I was winning national championships for 12 and under. When I was 13, I reached the final of the women’s national championship. That was a breaking point; I didn’t expect that. I’ve been traveling and playing tournaments abroad since I was 11.”
Although she experienced great success at such a young age, Orpana ultimately ran into setbacks. At the age of 14, she had major knee surgery. Then, the following year she had to have two more surgeries on the same knee. Then at 17, Orpana had elbow surgery that kept her out for six months and decided to play professional-only tournaments.
“If you have the motivation and something you want to accomplish, you will find a way to come back from whatever it is. You have to have something you’re working for. I am very passionate about tennis. I was able to stay positive and do the things I could do like fitness.”
Oona used her passion for the game to come back stronger, and in November 2019, she was awarded “Female Tennis Player of the Year” in Finland.
So far, so good for Orpana in Stillwater. She’s enjoying the simpleness and compactness of campus. Tennis-wise, Orpana is taking it day by day, trying to settle into a routine, improve her game and get to know her new teammates.
“I want to improve and work hard each day,” Orpana said. “I don’t want to look too far in the future. I want to work every day to give myself a chance. I’ve been spending a lot of time with the girls getting to know them. I am trying to get my routine down between classes and practice.”
Playing her entire life individually, Oona is enjoying being a part of a team.
“I like the team aspect of it,” Orpana said. “Fitness is a good example. It’s six o’clock in the morning but being with the team is fun. The positive energy they have is nice. I think it’s nice to have Americans on the team because they know about the school system and can help us. And having people, not from America is nice to relate to them. We Europeans have things in common. I can learn about new cultures.”
Orpana is majoring in general business and is looking for something more specific to eventually pursue.
She will begin her fall season next week at the Fort Worth $25,000 Pro Circuit event. Keep up with Orpana and the Cowgirls via Cowgirl Tennis social media platforms and okstate.com.