But thanks to a half-credit physical education course, Kubik has done just that and has been a solid contributor to the Bombers ever since. Kubik, who is the No. 2 singles player and plays at the No. 2 doubles spot with junior Alyssa Jaffe, has earned an overall record of 5–5 this spring.
What’s more impressive is the fact that Kubik hadn’t even picked up a racket for six years.
“I had heart issues when I was a kid,” Kubik said. “I was fainting on the court, and the doctors forbid me to play, so I just didn’t play tennis for six years.”
Kubik came to the U. S. to attend college, and once she settled on Ithaca, she enrolled in a half-credit intermediate tennis course.
“I signed up, just to get back into it to try and see if I could still play it,” Kubik said. “Then [Head Coach Bill Austin] approached me after class and was like, ‘Do you want to come to the practice and see how you feel?’ He basically kind of recruited me from a tennis class.”
Kubik had to undergo several cardiology tests to confirm her physical recovery. By the time the tests were complete, the fall season was already over, so Kubik waited until the spring season to play. She hasn’t disappointed though, steadily improving her game and earning singles victories against Dickinson College and Missouri Valley College, and doubles wins against Dickinson, Missouri Valley and St. Lawrence University.
“She’s got a lot of pace on the ball, she’s comfortable at the net,” Austin said. “She’s kind of an all-court player.”
Jaffe said Kubik’s consistent style of play boosts her confidence as her doubles partner.
“She’s pretty steady,” Jaffe said. “If you’re down, she’ll tell you to pick it up, stay with it. I feel confident playing with her. I just never feel like I’m going to lose, ever.”
Though Kubik had been on a six-year hiatus, she played competitively in Poland for four years before having to stop.
“I started playing when I was nine. It was really, really intense,” Kubik said. “I had practices twice a day, in the morning before school and then later after school. I would go to tennis camps and we would run for miles and miles sometimes with backpacks with stones in them. I was taking part in tournaments on a regular basis.”
In Poland there are no school or college teams — instead, players represent county or city teams. However, there is no real team aspect to tennis, which is something that Kubik said she loves about Ithaca’s tennis team.
“Being a part of the team is so much better,” Kubik said. “You always have someone to turn to and make sure you feel well, and the mental part is so much easier. I’ve never really been a part of a tennis team. I played volleyball on a team, and I always loved it. Tennis was always an individual sport. But then if you create a team out of really interesting individuals, it’s amazing.”
Jaffe said if Kubik has something to address the team about, she will.
“She’s pretty quiet and reserved, but if she has to say something, she won’t refrain from it,” Jaffe said.
Kubik’s main goal right now is to improve and shake the rust off her game.
“She’s got very high standards for herself,” Austin said. “And it’s been a little frustrating for her to work her way back to those standards, but she’s working on it and working hard and playing well.”
Kubik said the best part is just being able to play tennis again.
“I just want to improve,” Kubik said. “I haven’t been hitting for so long that I just want to get back into my game. Obviously it’s hard and I’ve had better and worse days, but I just want to keep improving. … I’m just expected to play my best and that’s what I do.”
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