THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University tennis head coach Greg Harkins announced the addition of three student-athletes, two for the women's program and one for the men, for the upcoming 2021-22 season. 
 
Joining the women's squad are Coraline Lamer (Sannois, France) and Sophia Sara Safarova (Kosice, Slovakia). A native of Switzerland, Nicola Wehrle will join the men's team as a graduate student. 
 
Lamer also will be a graduate student, pursuing an MBA in the College of Business. She began her collegiate career at Crowley Community College before finishing at Georgia Southwestern. She was a quarterfinalist in doubles in the JUCO National Tournament as a freshman before reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles as a sophomore. In 2020 at GSW, she tallied a 5-2 mark in singles in the second spot and was 4-2 in doubles, ranking fifth as a No. 2 in the Peach Belt Conference.
 
"Coraline has a 'can-do' approach to the game and has had success at multiple levels during her college career," Coach Harkins said. "Her work ethic and experience will add extra depth to a team that is coming into its own for the new year."
 
Safarova won a women's regional championship in 2021 and has been top 10 in her region and top 50 for women in Slovakia. A 4.0 student, she plans to study biology at Nicholls and then attend medical school.
 
"Sophia comes to the program as one of the most decorated players in her region and nation," Harkins said. "She played extensively throughout Europe, including club tennis in Vienna. Her strength is her forehand and serve and she is also a skilled doubles player. Sophia is a motivated young lady; she excels on and off the court and will make an immediate contribution to the squad in singles and doubles. 
 
Wehrle had success at the NAIA level, where he was a two-time All-American selection in doubles in 2018 and '19. He also garnered All-American recognition in singles in '19, helping Cardinal Stritch earn a third-place finish at nationals. He took fifth in the nationals in doubles in '18 and '19. In the classroom, Wehrle will be working on a master's degree in math. 
 
"Nicola brings a wealth of experience from his previous school and will add depth in singles and doubles," Harkins said. "He is an outstanding kid with a great attitude, loves to compete and will be a solid teammate on and off the court."
 
The women's tennis team will see its first action of the fall on Sept. 24-25 in Northwestern State's Annual Fall Tournament. The men's schedule gets underway at the Lamar Invite on Oct. 1.