Natalya Nikitina-Helvey

I am in my eight year at Centennial High School as the Boys and Girls Head Tennis Coach. Tennis has been a part of my life for the past 37 years and I have been involved in all levels of the competition: professional, collegiate, and junior.

While growing up in the Republic of Uzbekistan, I was a part of the Uzbekistan Women's National Team from 1994-99 and was ranked as the number one player in the country. I have competed in multiple professional tournaments in Europe and Asia, acquired the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles and doubles rankings, and represented my country in the Fed Cup (Billie Jean King Cup) competitions in India, Thailand, and New Zealand.

In 1999, I earned a full athletic scholarship at Oklahoma Christian University. While OC's No.1 singles and doubles player from 1999-2003, I earned the NAIA All-American honors three times and NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades twice.

After graduating from Oklahoma Christian Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration-Management, I pursued my career in collegiate coaching, serving as the Associate Head Coach at Wichita State University. While at WSU, I helped the Shockers obtain their first Missouri Valley Conference title and make their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Championships.

In 2006, I moved to Oklahoma and became the Head Women's Tennis Coach at the University of Central Oklahoma while starting a family and having my son. In my eight years at UCO, I have led Bronchos to five NCAA Division II national tournament appearances while posting a 109-67 record. In January 2018, I was inducted into the Oklahoma Christian University Athletic Hall of Fame.

While at Centennial HS, I have developed dozens of players who currently play collegiate tennis and advanced in academics. In the fall of 2024, I was named District 8-5A Coach of the Year after leading my boys and girls varsity team to the undefeated season and the District 8-5A Champions title.

Prior to moving to Texas and joining the Centennial HS staff, I taught in the Sports & Exercise Science Department at Cameron University. After earning my master's degree in education from UCO in 2012, I decided to continue my academic endeavor by pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Health and Human Performance from Oklahoma State University. I earned my Ph.D. degree in December 2021. Apart from being the head tennis coach at Centennial High School, I also teach Health Science/Medical Terminology classes at Centennial. I also serve as an online adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University in the Nursing and Health Professions department.