Russia’s Petrakova comfortable on court and in community

LOUISIANA La. — Anna Petrakova is at home in Acadiana now.

That wasn’t always the case, but the native of Russia has grown comfortable with the area as a junior forward with UL Lafayette’s women’s basketball program.

“America is like home now,” the 6-foot-3 standout said. “I feel like I’m part of the American community. I have a lot of friends and know a lot of people.

“I visit Russia now. I don’t live there. I feel like a visitor.”

Petrakova arrived in Baton Rouge three years ago, thinking she would be finishing high school but finding instead she was academically qualified for college in the U.S.

She linked up with UL and then-coach Gay Nix, and saw action in 15 games in 2001-2002.

Petrakova blossomed under coach J. Kelley Hall as a sophomore, averaging 7.2 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game. She hit 85 percent of her free throws and had a stretch of four straight double-double games.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com