Staff Report
A successful 2002-03 season has earned UNM women's tennis player Maja Kovacek a chance to battle against the nation's best at the All-American Championships at the Rivera Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif.
A central region ranking of No. 6 last year, has guaranteed Kovacek a spot in the qualifying draw beginning Oct. 7.
"The Central Region has five automatic entrances into the tournament," head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said. "Because one of the girls ranked ahead of Maja last season was a senior, she took her place in the draw."
To enter the main draw Kovacek must win three qualifying rounds. In Kolankiewicz' 18 years coaching the tennis team, not one player has qualified for the main draw.
"The competition is really, really tough," she said. "The girls in the main draw are all top-30 players."
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Last year Kovacek posted one of the best seasons ever for a UNM freshman, with a record of 11-1. Her only defeat of the season came at the hands of a nationally-ranked opponent at the central region championships.
Kovacek comes to UNM from Croatia, where Kolankiewicz said she developed a strong tennis background.
In light of the daunting task ahead of her Kovacek is quietly confident. A recent win over American Kelly Hydman, ranked 621 by the World Tennis Association, in the Coleman Vision Tennis Championships has boosted her confidence.
"I am feeling good out on the court at the moment," Kovacek said. "Of course my ambition is to make it all the way through into the main draw."
Kovacek is coming off an undefeated performance at the UNLV Fall Invite last weekend.
