The Concentric Wealth Management Gael Spotlight is a monthly Q&A by SMCGaels.com with a Saint Mary's student-athlete to get to know our Gaels more closely.

MORAGA, Calif. — SMCGaels.com spoke with Daniel Krutik, a senior on the men's tennis team, about his journey to Saint Mary's and how growing up in Israel has affected his own game.

Q: How did you find out about Saint Mary's and what brought you here?
DK: Honestly, the process was not easy. I talked with multiple schools and coaches but when I found out about Saint Mary's, I knew that this was the place for me. I liked everything about SMC, from its athletics and tennis program to the academics and location.

Q: At what age did you begin playing tennis and what was that experience like?
DK: I started playing when I was eight years old in a club in my hometown. I didn't focus on tennis until I was 12, I played a few other sports such as soccer, swimming, and judo. My family who came from Argentina to Israel was a little bit disappointed I chose tennis over soccer since soccer is a huge thing in South America, but I ended up having a pretty good tennis career and they supported me in everything I did.

Q: You're from Israel, what was the transition to life in America like?
DK: It wasn't easy. Being away from the family and everything you know is always hard. Luckily, the people here at Saint Mary's and my teammates made me feel at home so the transition was not as hard as I expected it to be. Moving away from home to a different country and into college sports is a hard thing to do alone, so we all try to help every new player that arrives on our team to feel as comfortable as possible, just as I felt.

Q: You also served in the Israeli military before coming to Saint Mary's, what was your role and how long did you serve?
DK: In Israel, there is a mandatory service of three years once one finishes high school at the age of 18. I was picked to be a part of a special combat unit for those three years. At one point, I was elected to be a sergeant and had the opportunity to command over other soldiers.

Q: Did your military experience have any effect on your tennis game?
DK: Definitely. First of all, the service obviously stopped my tennis career at the age of 18, so coming back to play after the a few years was not an easy thing to do. Nevertheless, the service has given me a lot of things that improved my game. The sense of responsibility and the different situations I faced taught me how to deal with pressure, which is very important in a mental game like tennis, especially when you have your team counting on you. I also learned that sometimes our lives are better than a movie and that anything one can think is possible. If you really believe in something and think you can achieve it, you will end up doing so.

Q: What are you looking forward to most during your senior year?
DK: The dual match season during the spring semester is definitely something I have been waiting for, this season can be one to remember. I think that we have a great team this year with a lot of talent and we can achieve big things. I'm really looking forward to being back on the court with my teammates and see all the hard work we have been putting in pay off.

Q: What has been your favorite memory during your time at Saint Mary's?
DK: Every match I experienced with my team is a good memory, especially at our home courts with our friends watching. I specifically remember a match against Gonzaga a couple of years ago when we came back from early losses in a couple courts to win in a huge team effort, saving a few match points on two different courts. Nothing compares to those feelings you have when you play for your teammates and school.

Q: What are your plans post graduation?
DK: At the moment I don't have a set plan, but I know that I will try to get into medical school at some point in the future. Right now I am trying to focus on the season and making the most out of my tennis career.  

The men's tennis team plays their first home contest of the season on Feb. 8 beginning at 2 p.m. versus UC Davis. The action will be played at the Korth Tennis Complex on the campus of Saint Mary's and admission is free.