The women's tennis team starts its season with the highest national ranking in its history.
The team is No. 24 in the country and the defending Mountain West Conference champion. It also has the 24th-ranked player in the nation.
Team members will have little time to enjoy the sensation, however. They travel to Madison, Wis., Thursday to play in the ITA Indoor Team Championships. In the first round they will face 10th-ranked Washington.
It could be a good test for the Lobos, whose only action of the spring season was called short due to rain.
Coach Kathy Kolankiewicz is happy with the draw.
"I feel like we have a good shot at Washington," she said. "We just have to get off to a good start, and we are going to have to play very well to beat them."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The Lobos were once ranked 33rd in the nation, but that was many years ago, Kolankiewicz said.
The Lobos went 7-0 in MWC play last season but shouldn't have it so easy this time around. San Diego State, Brigham Young and University of Nevada-Las Vegas will be the prime contenders looking to take the Lobos' crown.
"The conference will be stronger this year," Kolankiewicz said. "It's up for grabs. There's no clear-cut forerunner."
The Lobos will be lead by junior Maja Kovacek, who is the No. 24 player in the nation and the Lobos' top seed.
Last year she reached the second round of the NCAA tournament and ended her season with a 22-13 record.
"It's encouraging, but there are the other 23 players are better than you," said Kovacek of her ranking.
This is a predominantly young squad. The team has two seniors, one junior, five sophomores and two freshmen.
Freshman Jennifer Ryba said they're ready for the chance to prove themselves.
"We've all been playing tennis for a long time," she said.
The freshman will stand a trial by fire in the upcoming season.
"Everyone who plays Division I tennis is tough and especially any top-25 teams," Kolankiewicz said.
She also said Ryba will be able to hold her own this year and for years to come.
Iva Gersic, a sophomore, had a phenomenal freshman year, going 28-8. Gersic is the 66th-ranked player in the nation and the No. 2 seed on the team.
"I feel pressure to win being that we are one and two," Gersic said. "There is pressure, because we are supposed to win."
The doubles teams will hope to have the same success as last year. The team of Kovacek and Gersic will look to dominate doubles just like singles.
The senior pair of Tiffany Robertson and Michelle Heidbrink will be split up to help the younger players' skills. Robertson will now be paired with sophomore Nora Quintal, and Heidbrink will be paired with the Lobos' other freshman, Lucy Scott.
Last year, the Lobos only lost two doubles points all season.
