@RazorbackMTEN Senior Q&A: Jovan Parlic
@RazorbackMTEN Senior Q&A: Jovan Parlic
Jovan Parlic has been an integral part of the Razorback squad over the last four seasons. Starting strong his freshman year, he tallied the most wins out of any of the Arkansas newcomers and finished with a winning 12-7 record in singles. In Parlic’s sophomore campaign, he posted an 11-6 record for the 2013 dual season and as a junior he recorded nine singles wins and three doubles victories in the spring of 2014.
In fall 2014, Parlic played in four tournaments and paired with junior Santiago Munoz to claim third place in their doubles flight at the Florida Golf Coast University Invitational. Parlic has played in 17 dual matches this spring competing primarily in the No. 2 position in singles and doubles. An active leader of his team both on and off the court, Parlic will graduate in May with a degree in pre-professional exercise science.
You’re heading into your final matches as a Razorback. What will you miss most about playing for the University of Arkansas?
“I’ll miss playing as a part of a team. I’ve really liked getting to know a bunch of different people from all over the world. I’ll also miss competing.”
What is one of your favorite memories from your time here?
“The match against Alabama last season. We were down 3-1 and we were down championship points on some of the courts. Then we came back and won 4-3.”
As the only senior on the team, how do you feel you’ve stepped into a primary leadership role this season?
“I try as hard as I can in every match and I think I did things right as far as doing what Coach asked of us. I compete hard. I’ve also really tried to help the new players on our team to understand and adjust to a college tennis atmosphere.”
What have you liked most about playing for Coach Jackson and Coach Briceno?
“I like them both because they are very competitive. They believe in hard work and will always have our backs.”
What is the biggest strength of this year’s team?
“We are very close both on and off the courts. The chemistry is just really good. We all live at the same place and so we hangout all the time. Our favorite thing to do when we’re not playing tennis is to go rafting.”
What advice would you give to future student athletes coming to the University of Arkansas?
“I would tell them to enjoy all four years and to give it their all and not to have any regrets. I would tell them to do everything they can, socially, as an athlete, as a student, really in all aspects of their lives.”
What’s next for you?
“I think I’m going to stay here for one more semester and then apply for physical therapy school. I’d like to go somewhere in Florida because that’s where my family is.”
What will you miss the most about Fayetteville/the University of Arkansas?
“I’ll miss living in a college town. Everything in Fayetteville is centered around the university and that’s pretty cool.”
