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163 U niversity of Iowa senior women's tennis player Annette Dohanics and Simba, the Disney character from e Lion King, have at least two things in common: ears and evolution. "I earned the nickname (Simba) in high school during my junior year of tennis because of my disproportionate ears," Dohanics said at a UI Athletics Department all-staff meeting May 25 in the Stew and LeNore Hansen Football Performance Center. "As I grew into my ears, I grew into the name." Another similarity between the two is that like Simba, who grows from a cub into a mature lion, Dohanics grew and assumed responsibility of adulthood thanks to the University of Iowa and its women's tennis program. "e best thing the University of Iowa has given me is permission to be myself," Dohanics said. "I have no doubt that my experiences as a Hawkeye have prepared me for whatever may come my way and I know starting this new chapter I will have the support of the entire Hawkeye community." Like most high school seniors, Dohanics was searching for the right fit at the college level. She attended North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh where she was ranked the No. 64 prospect in the country by TennisRecruiting.net. Dohanics said a week before she called UI head coach Katie Dougherty to commit to the Hawkeyes she was going to be a University of Wisconsin Badger. "Maybe it was the distance, maybe it was the misconceptions I held about Iowa, but something was holding me back," Dohanics said. Nothing held her back aer a visit to Iowa's campus. Dohanics toured the UI in the fall of 2011 and attended the Hawkeyes' thunderstorm-delayed 34-7 football victory over Tennessee Tech. "I quickly realized that painting my face was the wrong decision," Dohanics joked. "But because of the weather, a midnight tour of campus seemed to be the most appropriate choice. Of course it had to include a stop at Mesa Pizza for a slice of Mac and Cheese." Dohanics was so impressed with the UI that on her return flight to Pittsburgh, she wanted to cancel a visit to Madison, Wisconsin. "I knew I belonged in the black and gold," Dohanics said. While at Iowa, Dohanics compiled a record of 54- 55 in singles and 49-65 in doubles. She won 18 of 25 matches at No. 5 and No. 6 singles and was 14-6 playing No. 2 doubles. When Dohanics enrolled at the UI she began to pursue a major in biology with her sights set on a future in medicine. But she had a revelation during a10-hour car ride to Pittsburgh: all this time she had hid her true passion for law. "When I came back to Iowa City, I announced to coach that I was going to law school," Dohanics said. "Her response? 'Putting your argument to good use. I like it.' "It is no secret I have not always been the perfect student. But my coaches stuck by me and supported me every step of the way. My senior season was unfortunately taken by injury and I wasn't able to produce the results I wanted. But I was able to find a happiness and peace that had troubled me during my first three years and none of that of that could have been possible without coach." Donahics is now officially a University of Iowa alumna and she has joined the ranks of the employed. "I am beyond excited to announce that I have accepted a position at a law firm back in Pittsburgh," Dohanics said. "ank you coach for stealing me from Wisconsin. Go Hawks."