LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Women's Tennis Program and Head Coach Jeff Beaman announced the signings of Theodora Stancescu, Jenaila Prulla, and Nanoka Kazama on Wednesday.
Stancescu is set to join the Tigers as a freshman in 2026 while Prulla comes in as a Junior and Kazama enters her Senior campaign.
As for Stancescu, she is a top ranked Junior player from Romania that is destined to make an immediate impact with West Alabama. The incoming freshman has been ranked as high as No. 745 in the World in the ITF Pro Tour and holds National Doubles Championships in U12 and U14. While Stancescu remained disciplined to her craft over the years, her game continued to flourish as she ended her U18 career with an additional pair of Doubles Championships Runner-Up placements.
"I have a strong tradition with players from Romania in the years I've been coaching at the collegiate level and I'm excited to add Theodora," said Beaman. "I feel as though she can make an impact in our line-up right from the start of her career at UWA."
While Stancescu is set to make her collegiate debut next Spring, Prulla is an established college player as she brings a wealth of talent and experience after competing with the Louisiana Raging Cajuns the past two years. In her first season, as a freshman, with the Raging Cajuns, Prulla picked up seven total wins, before taking a massive leap in her sophomore campaign. This past season, the incoming junior held the No. 2 slot in singles and No. 1 slot in doubles and proceeded to lead ULL in doubles victories with nine.
Alongside her collegiate career, Prulla has also represented her nation of the Philippines in the Asian Juniors which included UWA star, Alexa Milliam. Prulla was once ranked No. 2 in the Philippines and led the Nation to a historic fifth place placement at the World Junior Team Championships.
"Jenaila continues our strong tradition of players from the Philippines and has been on National teams with Shaira Rivera and Alexa Milliam," Beaman commented.
Similar to Prulla, Kazama brings a wealth of Division I experience to UWA's squad in 2026. The Saitama, Japan native has played the first three years of her collegiate career at Central Arkansas where she served in the No. 2 and 3 spots in singles and No. 1 and 2 spots in doubles for the Bears. Kazama registered 33 total wins in her first two seasons with Central Arkansas, including a career-high 19 coming as a freshman in 2023.
"Nonoka has a big game, especially her serve," Beaman continued. "She will bring a lot of talent and experience to our team."
Stancescu, Prulla, and Kazama are all set to begin their UWA journey's this Fall and will be in action for the Regular Season in 2026.
