Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having world wide repercussions well beyond the two countries, and often in small unexpected ways. It's even touched the Cal State Northridge tennis team.
The two women are members of the California State University-Northridge tennis team and even though Zhytelna is only a freshman and Repina is a senior, the two have been paired up as doubles partners right from the get-go, both on and off the court.But what makes this partnership even more interesting is where these two athletes hail from. Zhytelna is from Ukraine. Repina is from Russia. Their two countries are now entwined in a deadly war.
"We're just trying to calm each other down and say 'Everything is going to be alright,' because it will be alright," added Repina. "I can't imagine him alone there," she said."Mobilized to war is kind of, like, unbelievable. But I understand." "The only thing I can do is show support for my friends and any families that are basically suffering right now, so I'm here for her as of right now," Repina said while hugging Zhytelna.