All-American Monday - Gil Kovalski

Gil Kovalski (1995)

Born in Herzalia, Israel, Gil Kovalski came to the University of Miami as the former No. 2 junior player in Israel. Kovalski began his Hurricane career with a bang. Including fall play, Kovalski put together a 10 match win streak on his way to an overall singles record of 30-11. Included in those wins were the capture of the Clay Court Championships and the “B” Flight Championship of the Big East Tournament. Kovalski also advanced to the semi-finals of the Rolex Intercollegiate Tennis Championships. In doubles competition, Kovalski compiled an overall record of 14-8 and captured the “B” Flight Championship title of the Big East Tournament.

Picking up where he left off from his sophomore season, Kovalski went 26-8 in singles play and 18-6 in doubles competition. As the No. 22 player closed out an amazing junior season by claiming both the singles and doubles title of the Rolex Eastern Regional Championships. In capturing the doubles title, Kovalski partnered with freshman teammate Arturo Zizold. To close out the regular season, Kovalski put posted a five match singles win streak. For his accomplishments on the court, Kovalski was named to the 1995 ITA All-American team.

1995 All-American Team 

Following his outstanding freshman and sophomore seasons, Kovalski did not disappoint the Coral Gables area in his senior year as the preseason No. 24 player. Kovalski, playing the entire season out of the No. 1 position, compiled an overall singles season record of 17-9 and went 15-9 in doubles competition. His biggest singles season match came when he defeated No. 27 Reed Cordish of Princeton. Kovalski closed out his regular doubles career as a Hurricane with five consecutive wins.

As the reigning Rolex Regional Champion, Kovalski was unable to repeat. However, he did advance to the quarterfinals in singles play at the 1995 Rolex Regional Championship and the third round of doubles competition of the Rolex Regional Championships. He also advanced to the finals for both the singles and doubles tournament of the Big East Championship. Just as Kovalski displayed excellence and success on the court, he displayed it off the court as well. For that he was named to the Big East Academic All-Star team.