by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
UNM women's tennis player Iva Gersic's season hasn't gone quite as well as she anticipated.
Perhaps it's because it hasn't hit Gersic that this will be her final year on the court.
"I don't really feel a big difference," she said. "Sometimes I forget I'm a senior."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Gersic came into her final year as one of the most talented players in the Mountain West Conference over recent years.
She has made All-American teams and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation in doubles along with former Lobo Maja Kovacek.
So when Gersic was knocked out of the ITA All-American Championships on Oct. 5 on the first day, it was a bit of a surprise.
Gersic said she hasn't played up to her potential but is improving.
"I actually started pretty good, and then I didn't play well the last two tournaments," Gersic said. "But I think I'm getting better."
One reason Gersic has struggled this semester is because her schedule has not allowed her to focus on tennis as much as she would like.
Gersic is taking 21 hours at UNM this fall semester, something she said is a bit distracting.
"I think the biggest problem is that I'm taking a lot of classes this year, so I'm in school a lot more than I am on the tennis court," Gersic said. "I'm pretty tired by the time I get to practice. Hopefully, I can finish the semester pretty good."
UNM head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said Gersic's performance isn't a reflection of her talent but of her busy schedule.
"It's a tough semester for Iva," Kolankiewicz said. "Because of that, she can't make all the practices. I know at this point she hasn't been able to devote as much time to tennis as she would like. But we're hoping that the way her schedule pans out for the spring, it will at least let her practice the way she would like to."
Despite a rough fall semester, Gersic remains confident that she can have a good year, especially when the spring season starts.
"I hope to make it to NCAAs in doubles and singles, and I hope we do the same as a team," she said. "I would like to go pretty far in conference. I really want to do well."
The Lobos have just one tournament left, the San Diego State Invite, for the fall season. Gersic is planning to end the fall season on a good note, so she can take a break and be confident when the spring season starts in February.
Kolankiewicz said Gersic should return to top form by then.
"She's a very good player, very talented," she said. "I think she'll really be eager and hungry to give it her all this last semester. I know she wants to do well. The desire's there."
Gersic said she just wants to enjoy the rest of her time at UNM and have as much success as possible.
A native of Koprivnica, Croatia, Gersic said she is glad she decided to come to UNM.
"It is a great experience, even though at the beginning when I got here, I wanted to leave," Gersic said. "I missed home too much. I still do, but now when I look at it, it is a great experience, and I don't regret anything."
Regardless of how the rest of this year goes, Kolankiewicz said Gersic has been a special player.
"She's been probably our most consistent, highest percentage winner that we've had," Kolankiewicz said. "If I had to say one word, it would be reliable."
