University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's tennis standout Maria Popova has been named OUA athlete of the week for the period ending Oct. 11, 2026.

A fourth-year Pharmacology and Immunology major, Popova helped Toronto earn their fourth consecutive OUA women's tennis championship banner going undefeated across the entirety of this past weekend. Popova has been part of all four championship lineups during this run of four straight title for the Blues women. Competing in the No. 1 doubles slot and No. 3 singles position across all three days during this run to the trophy, Popova opened the showcase with an 8-3 doubles win and unblemished 6-0, 6-0 singles win over Brock in the quarter-finals on Friday. She then went perfect on Saturday with an 8-0 doubles win and 6-0, 6-0 singles victory versus York to help U of T secure their spot in the gold medal match. In a battle for the top step on Sunday against Queen's, Popova's 8-3 doubles win alongside teammate Anastasiya Dyadchenko and 7-6, 6-4 singles win proved critical in a narrow 4-3 championship final victory. For her efforts, she was named an OUA all-star.

The OUA title also helps secure another trip to the Canadian University Tennis Championships scheduled for next May in Montreal. Popova was named a national all-star at the event this past May.