Marina Hruba, sophomore attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa, overcame the obstacle of people not supporting the one thing she loves to play: tennis.

Hruba, who was originally from Prague, Czech Republic, was recruited to play tennis in the United States from her head coach June Hernandez. She then began to compete in numerous amount of matches that ended mostly in victories. She was also selected as the 2016 Big West Freshman of the Year.

“It’s funny because people back at home think that I quit playing tennis,” Hruba explained.

In Czech Republic, Hruba attended an Economical High School with Sports Specialization because her teachers from another school were not understanding and supportive about student athletes.

“My teachers hated me and my classmates hated me too because I wasn’t in the class and I would only come for the tests and it wasn’t working very well, so I had to go to this school which was for sports people,” Hruba said.

In Hawaii, Hruba has been receiving amazing support from her teammates and coaches. Hruba is elated that she is able to play the sport she loves.

Hruba experienced troubles with teachers about athletics; however, she is now striving in the UH women’s tennis team.