High rankings and recent success marked the UNM men's and women's tennis teams as targets for Mountain West Conference foes this season.
Despite past accomplishments, both teams are hungry for more this spring, with their sights set on MWC championships and the NCAA tournament. And although tennis players compete as individuals during matches, the Lobos they have the right chemistry to achieve their team goals in 2004.
Men: Head coach Alan Dils said he'd be extremely disappointed if the No. 56 Lobos failed to compete for a conference title. Although UNM finished as MWC co-champions last year, Dils said he and his players want more this season.
"I think we always have high expectations," Dils said. "We want to compete on the national level. We want to get in (the NCAAs) as an at-large team if we can't win the conference. That means moving up the rankings and beating top-level teams. We certainly have the potential to be inside the top 40."
Leading UNM is 27th-ranked senior Divan Coetzee. Coetzee has been a stalwart in the Lobo team for the past three years. Dils said he is probably one of the highest ranked Lobos ever.
Joining Coetzee in the probable singles line-up are senior Jasmin Hodzic, juniors David Kowalski and Ryan Stotland, sophomore Nick Ames and freshman Hiroud Akhavan.
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Akhavan said the team's strength lies in its competitive roster.
"This year we have a lot of depth," he said. "From day to day, anyone can beat anyone else on the team."
Although being a known quantity is often tough, Dils said he is proud of the way his team competes.
"Any time you're ranked, teams know they have to show up to play," he said. "Nobody takes you lightly. If people are gunning for you, you know you're doing something right because you're the ones they're trying to catch."
Women: UNM should challenge for the conference championship with a strong blend of seasoned veterans and raw talent. The Lobos, ranked 52nd in the nation, have a tough non-conference schedule that could have them battle-tested for the MWC clashes.
Stepping into the No. 1 singles position this spring is newcomer Iva Gersic. The freshman from Koprivnica, Croatia posted an impressive 11-2 record in the fall. Playing alongside Gersic in singles should be seniors Sandy Lukowski, Maria Ruiz-Fabrega and Tjasa Suvak, junior Tiffany Robertson and sophomore Maja Kovacek. Junior Michelle Heidbrink could also see singles action.
Solidifying the Lobos' attack are potent doubles pairings. The duo of Kovacek and Lukowski are ranked 21st nationally, while the teams of Gersic and Ruiz-Fabrega and Robertson and Heidbrink also make formidable pairings.
Kovacek said the Lobos' team unity is a huge asset.
"We're all pretty close," she said. "Tennis is an individual sport, but when you have six or seven teammates supporting you, you don't feel so alone on the court."
She added the mix of youth and experience is also a strength.
"The freshmen that came in improved our quality, and our three seniors provide us with great leadership," Kovacek said. "I have a really good feeling about this year."
