YPSILANTI, Mich.—Eastern Michigan University's Women's Tennis program is riding a wave of momentum following a historic season—one fueled by a new athletic development initiative led by the Kovacs Institute and supported by GameAbove Sports, a key partner in our mission to enhance the performance and success of our athletes.

Introduced in November 2024, the initiative supports women's tennis, men's, and women's golf by integrating cutting-edge sports science, performance training, and injury-prevention strategies into each program's daily operations. Since the partnership began, EMU Women's Tennis has posted back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time since 2003–04 and recorded consecutive 5+ MAC win seasons for the first time since 2004–05, a testament to the program's dedication and the impact of the new initiative.

"Our engagement with Kovacs was incredibly positive," said Head Coach Ryan Kucera. "The biggest difference came in our periodization and tapering—managing the volume and intensity of training so our athletes could grow throughout the season and still peak on match days. That was crucial as we dealt with injuries. It kept us competitive and healthy."

Dr. Mark Kovacs, Founder of the Kovacs Institute and one of the world's foremost performance scientists, provided hands-on consultation throughout the spring season. "Eastern Michigan Tennis has a great foundation," said Dr. Kovacs. "Coach Kucera brings energy and a long-term vision to the program, and we're proud to support that with science-driven strategies that enhance performance, reduce injuries, and build sustainable success."

Kucera noted that Kovacs' involvement extended beyond planning. "He provided education for our athletes on recovery, nutrition, and lifestyle habits to help them live like champions. He also worked directly with me and our strength staff to optimize practice structures, conditioning plans, and travel recovery—things that make a big difference during a long season."

The program is poised for continued growth with a top recruiting class arriving this fall—including four first-year students ranked in the top five nationally in their respective junior circuits—and a potential impact transfer, a player with a proven track record of success on the horizon.

The team will fully implement Kovacs' physical testing and individualized training systems. "We've identified areas where we can take another leap—especially in endurance and conditioning," said Kucera. "Having tangible metrics and personalized plans will allow every athlete to reach their ceiling."

Kucera is confident that the strong team culture, elite-level support, and GameAbove Sports' commitment to EMU athletics sets the stage for something special. "We're not just chasing wins. We're building a championship program."

This collaboration is part of GameAbove Sports' larger vision to help EMU build championship-caliber programs in select sports, including women's tennis and men's and women's golf. In 2024, GameAbove committed $6.5 million to elevate EMU's golf teams, funding key areas such as coaching compensation, expanded support staff, player development, and enhanced equipment, operations, and travel resources. Together with the Kovacs Institute, this investment signals a new era of competitive ambition and athlete-first innovation at Eastern Michigan.

"The growth we're seeing across women's tennis and our golf programs simply wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of GameAbove," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "Their investment has allowed us to explore elite partnerships like the Kovacs Institute and provide our student-athletes with the tools, resources, and support systems needed to compete at a championship level. It's an exciting time to be an Eagle."