by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
There couldn't have been a better way for the seniors to celebrate Sunday.
Not only did the UNM women's tennis team sweep Air Force 7-0 to conclude Mountain West Conference play, but the team also acknowledged the accomplishments of four seniors - Iva Gersic, Nora Quintal, Allison Davis and Elisa Bonner - who concluded their regular-season collegiate careers Sunday at the UNM Tennis Complex.
Head coach Kathy Kolankiewicz said the four graduating seniors help form the backbone of the women's tennis program.
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"They were also our four captains this year," she said. "They've been a big part of our success the past four years, and they are really the core of our team. We're definitely going to miss them
a lot."
Gersic, who tore ligaments in her ankle Feb. 23 to end her season, finishes her career at UNM with the school's all-time highest winning percentage at .812 and a career record of 190-44.
Gersic said that despite her setback this season, she was happy with her time as a Lobo overall.
"My career was pretty good," she said. "When I started, I didn't think it would go all that far, because I really wasn't into tennis after I stopped practicing back at home. It got better, and we had a lot of expectations for this year, but it didn't quite end up the way I had hoped."
Last season, Gercic received All-American honors in doubles with partner Maja Kovacek. The duo earned a No. 2 national ranking - the highest ever at UNM - and received a No. 4 seeding in the NCAA doubles tournament.
Gersic said she has not decided whether she will try to play tennis professionally.
"Whether I would go pro or not was dependent on how well I did this semester," she said. "Now, I'm not even playing, and it will be very hard to get back to playing at that level. So, I really haven't made up my mind for sure, but most likely, I won't play again, but I may coach. It just really depends on how soon I'll be able to get back on the court."
Playing collegiate tennis is
different from playing professional tennis, Gersic said.
"I had a good time getting to know the girls and traveling all over during my four years here at UNM," she said. "As a professional, tennis is all business. But here, it was all fun, and I had a very good time."
Quintal recorded a 6-3, 6-2 win over Air Force's Jennifer Walters.
Quintal said she had to overcome several obstacles to win.
"It was very exciting playing in my final home match," she said. "There was a little bit of pressure because all these people came to watch, and of course, I want to show them my best. The wind was a little tough today. It's always difficult dealing with
the wind."
Quintal and Davis teamed up at No. 3 doubles, falling to Air Force's Erika Shortridge and Meghan Kiser 8-6.
Davis said she will remember the match for years to come, despite the loss.
"It was a great match, and unfortunately, we didn't come out with the win," she said. "It was great playing with Nora in my final match because we're both seniors, and it was really special for both of us. I had a lot of fun out there, and I just hope that I'll be able to play tennis after this."
Bonner concluded her season in doubles with an 8-6 loss to teammate Maria Sotirchos and Air Force's Erlyn Rudico in an alternate match.
Bonner said the match was special because she teamed up with her sister Ashley, who is a freshman for the Lobos.
"Playing with Ashley was lots of fun," she said. "I mean, it's always fun playing with your sister. You run into little walls, and you start arguing, and that's the end of the match. But it was great being able to play with her again. We got to play in high school together. Now, I wish her all the best in the future."
Bonner, who saw little action during the season, said she was happy to get the experience of playing college tennis.
"I had a great time playing for the University of New Mexico, granted that I didn't get that much playing time," Bonner said. "Playing for a top-50 school, you're always going to find that. More important than the playing is just making friendships with girls from a bunch of different countries and states."
