Something Greater Than Myself

Minorka Miranda received the worst news of her life three days before she and Maryland Tennis were set to open the 2022 regular season.

She’s often reminded of the tragedy, but Miranda has left her mark on the program by using it to foster an environment for mental health awareness. Terp Tennis is set to host Indiana on April 7 while supporting the cause that means a lot to the senior. Miranda will be sporting a green ribbon over her heart to remember her best friend, whom she lost to a mental health battle over two years ago. 

Miranda grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Orlando, Fla. in her early teens with her younger sister after receiving a scholarship to attend ProWorld Tennis Academy. The first person she met at the academy was a girl named Maya Rukosuev.

Five minutes into their conversation, Rukosuev said, “I can already tell you’re going to be my best friend,” according to Miranda.

The pair grew close with all their time spent together. They lived in the same neighborhood, and both had so much in common. It was important for Miranda to have someone like Rukosuev because she was going through a drastic change in her life. She was without her parents for a period while they stayed back in Pennsylvania, waiting to sell their house. Once they finally met her in Florida, Miranda didn’t see them as much with the rigorous schedule she navigated between tennis and school.

The teenagers became inseparable. They began watching the sunset and eating dinner together after practice. Their first few months together turned into years, and Miranda’s parents began referring to Rukosuev as one of their daughters.

“She's so special to me. She's one of those people that you meet, and you will never forget,” Miranda said. “She was my doubles partner, we traveled together and most importantly, we were best friends. She changed my life.”

Miranda continued her tennis career as a student-athlete at Maryland and remained close friends with Rukosuev. She couldn’t imagine a life without her, but it became a reality. She was devastated, as it was the first time she dealt with the loss of a close friend. Miranda, a sophomore at the time, needed an escape. She wanted to be on the court with her racket in hand.

The Terps were preparing for their regular-season opener against Georgetown. The next morning, she showed up to practice despite being consumed by her emotions. The staff urged her to take time away from the sport, but she couldn't miss her and her team’s upcoming match. Miranda wanted to compete for her friend.

“I was really emotional, and couldn't get myself together,” Miranda said. “But I knew I still wanted to show up. I think it's a common theme whenever I'm in a moment like that, or it's been hard. I always want to go to the tennis court.”

Miranda’s teammates and coaches supported her and were willing to help her in any way possible. The one favor she asked was to help her honor her late friend. Marta Perez Mur was a teammate and roommate of Miranda at the time. She had just transferred to Maryland several months prior, and the pair quickly became close. She recalls counting out green ribbons with Miranda the night before the match. Perez Mur now serves as an assistant on the Terps’ coaching staff.

On Jan. 22, 2022, the entire tennis team wore green ribbons over their hearts to symbolize mental health awareness in support of Miranda and the tragedy she was facing. They even handed the ribbons out to the crowd in attendance. They accepted the gift unaware of the weight behind the ordeal.

The Terps toppled the Hoyas in a 7-0 sweep that day, and Miranda won her singles match, 6-3 and 6-2.

“It was a tough match. But I remember I won, and cried at the end,” Miranda said. “I felt that Maya was there, and it was an amazing feeling doing that for her. Also, just the support that I got unconditionally from my teammates and my coaches was more than I could ever ask.”

Perez Mur also remembers that match. “Mino wasn't doing it for her, she was doing it for her friend,” she said.

Miranda continued to wear her green ribbon for the rest of the season and dedicated every match to Rukosuev. She finished the season with a 19-12 record as a singles competitor and a 19-8 record in doubles. Her friend was the motivation for her behind every match, and she had one of her best seasons as a Terp.

“There's no doubt in my mind that she was struggling, and I think it only speaks volumes to her how she handled the situation,” Perez Mur said.

Maryland wore green ribbons in support of mental health awareness and Miranda’s friend again on Jan 22, 2023. The Terps had a double-header against VCU and Coppin State and won each match by a score of 4-0.

Later that season on April 2, the Terps hosted a mental health dedication match against Wisconsin. The Terps supported Morgan’s Message, an organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community. They wore green shirts and ribbons and raised money for the cause. The Badgers supported the cause by also wearing green shirts.

Mental health became a key part of the tennis team’s culture. They got involved with the psychology department and started having those difficult conversations regarding mental health.

“Because of what happened and how everybody was aware of what Mino was going through, it just started a conversation for us,” Perez Mur said. “I think in a way she helped put mental health as a priority.”

Miranda credits the coaching staff. “I think over the years coaches have really done a great job of incorporating that into our team culture,” she said. “If someone's not doing great that day, we’ll all pick each other up, and we're open about those conversations.”

Miranda still honors Rukosuev every time she steps on the court. She often writes her birthday on her sneakers and there’s always a green ribbon on her backpack. She used her loss as fuel to make a positive impact.

“I know just about everything she's been through in life,” Perez Mur said. “I keep telling her how strong she is because she's had a million times to just give up and throw the towel and she just continues to get up and make her history.”

Everything started as a simple way for Miranda to honor her friend. It later developed into an annual occurrence to spread awareness for mental health. But Miranda’s reason why has never been faulted.

“Maya is a reminder that this is greater than myself,” she said. “I want to think of her, and I want to make her proud every time I step on the court because I know that's what she would have wanted.”