by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
Kathy Kolankiewicz has seen a lot in her coaching career.
But nothing as dramatic as Friday when senior Iva Gersic - the UNM women's tennis team's No. 1 singles player - tore ligaments in her ankle, ending her college
career.
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"It was the most drama on a tennis court I've seen in my 21 years of coaching," head coach Kolankiewicz said. "It was a very emotional and intense weekend for us."
With the Lobos down 7-8 at the No. 1 doubles spot, Gersic and Ola Abou-Zekry moved in for a short ball at the same time. The players collided, and Gersic fell to the ground, grabbing her ankle. Minutes later, Gersic was taken away in an ambulance, and Boise State took the doubles point by forfeit.
With Gersic gone, UNM lost 5-2 to Boise State for the Lobos' first loss of the season.
Gersic had a successful surgery, but the senior's injury was saddening, Kolankiewicz said.
"It is extremely tough to lose Iva only five matches into the season," Kolankiewicz said. "Iva's surgery went well, though, and in three months, she will have a good foot again. We are saddened for Iva, because you hate to see any player end their career that way."
UNM's roster was adjusted, as everyone moved up a spot to compensate for the loss of Gersic.
The shift was not an easy one, junior Lucy Scott said.
"We were taken off guard by having to move up," she said. "It was a bit of a shock."
The team went 2-4 in singles play Friday, as Abou-Zekry and freshman Sandra Zmak captured the only wins for the Lobos.
UNM rebounded on Sunday, defeating No. 65 Kansas State 6-1. The Lobos are now 5-1 on the
season.
Sunday's victory showed another side to the team, Kolankiewicz said.
"Today's win gives us a lot of confidence," she said. "To come back and win after all that happened, it shows that we have a lot of heart and determination as a team."
UNM had a slow start in doubles Sunday, Kolankiewicz said.
"Our doubles play was shaky," she said. "We were still drained emotionally from Friday, but we really pulled it together in
singles."
The Lobos won every singles position.
Scott said every team member deserves credit for the win.
"Everyone played really well," she said. "I think doubles was a wake-up call for us. We just really picked it up in singles and got the job done."
Gersic ends her career at UNM with the school's all-time highest winning percentage at .812 and a career record of 190-44. Last season, she received All-American honors in doubles with partner Maja
Kovacek.
Junior Jennifer Ryba said the team rallied around the loss of Gersic.
"We know that Iva would really want us to play well, so we are just happy to be out there on the court," she said. "Her fall really put things in perspective. We had to pull together and play well together to win, and that's what we did today."
Kolankiewicz said UNM has no choice but to move on without its star player.
"We're just going to look ahead, keep working hard and stay together as a team," she said. "We can accomplish great things
together. All we have to do is believe in ourselves."
Women's tennis at University of Arizona
Saturday, noon
Tucson, Ariz.
