Contrasting personalities have meshed for ASU women's tennis, with a "jokester" and "silent assassin" bringing dominance to the court this spring.
The jokester is Vivian Ovrootsky, a graduate student from the University of Texas with Californian roots, who received the name from her ability to make a serious moment unserious.
The silent assassin is Emilija Tverijonaite, a junior who moved from Lithuania to Arizona, bringing laser focus and the ability to "kill" on the court.
Starting the spring semester on the same side, this partnership has secured five wins and three losses, with one of these victories being a ranked win over USC's No. 51 Jana Hossam and Krisha Mahendran in mid-January.
The two also earned Big 12 Player of the Week distinctions, with Tverijonaite receiving the honor in January 2026 and Ovrootsky taking home the title just a month later.
During the fall, the pair established their relationship by competing in doubles tournaments, which extended their dynamic beyond the court. These connections and feelings of comfort with her teammates have been huge for Tverijonaite.
"(Relationships with teammates are) one of the best things that I found here in the states," Tverijonaite said. "Having the team with me, having the girls next to me every day (and) sharing the court with them."
Coming in as a former Longhorn with a 2022 NCAA national championship under her belt, Ovrootsky has aimed to step into a leadership position. She uses her experience from Texas to try to help her peers navigate the college world, noting the challenges that come with it.
A correlation presents itself, as those who have a strong bond have simultaneously demonstrated their strength at the swing.
Ovrootsky credits much of the semester's early success in doubles to her relationship with Tverijonaite, one built from the fusion of jokes and trust.
"I think that's really important when you bond with the person you're playing with," Ovrootsky said. "It's so much easier to play when that relationship's good."
The intersection of their personalities and game styles led them to click as two people, their individualities resonating with one another.
When facing the net, the two can hold each other accountable, ensuring high-energy play.
"I feel like Viv (Ovrootsky) really gets me on court," Tverijonaite said. "We have this kind of connection where if I feel down, she always brings me up, and vice versa."
From Ovrootsky's side of the connection, she's found Tverijonaite easy to talk to, allowing for a strong sense of communication between them. In addition to Tverijonaite's open line of communication, Ovrootsky applauds the fact that the junior "just doesn't miss," proving solid with a racket in her hand.
Despite the duo's chemistry, a Sun Devil team struggling at the doubles spot led to some shifts in the line-up, with head coach Jamea Jackson trying to find the right pieces to this puzzle.
The pair's early success led Jackson to split the duo in pursuit of creating two teams that could get the job done. Jackson hopes this separation can allow for their strengths and leadership skills to prosper alongside other teammates, allowing for more well-rounded doubles partners.
"They're both such great leaders," Jackson said. "I think they can mesh with multiple people on the team, and the leadership that they've been showing, whether they're together or they're with another player, that's kind of starting to show through in our doubles."
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her third semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
