When Barry University freshman Vojka Lukic beat University of Miami senior Anna Bartenstein at No. 1 singles in this past Saturday’s exhibition, it might have seemed like an upset.

But it wasn’t.

Lukic, who turns 25 on March 31, is not your typical freshman. The 5-11 native of Subotica, Serbia, played professional tennis for five years and was ranked as high as No. 203 among the world’s best women’s players. Her junior ranking went as high as No. 8.

Barry coach Avi Kigel had noticed her results overseas and contacted her by email a year ago. And even though she has been a pro, she is eligible to compete collegiately because she is no longer playing for money and met all the other criteria as specified by the NCAA amateur guidelines.

“We got lucky in her situation,” Kigel said. “It’s a bit of a loophole.”

Lukic, who is the oldest player on the Bucs’ roster and the only one who is married, has a sense of humor about her status as a worldly freshman.

“I don’t think I’ve wasted my time,” Lukic said in a bit of an understatement.

It’s hard to argue with Lukic, who has traveled virtually all around the world, rattling off places in Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia, just for starters.

Lukic is a versatile athlete. She tried gymnastics until she outgrew the sport, and she also competed in karate.

“I got as high as a blue belt,” Lukic said with a laugh. “But I’m still very dangerous.”

That’s especially true on the tennis court. Just ask Bartenstein, a top-30 Division I player who was beaten on her home court by a Division II “rookie.”

Lukic prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. She flashed a stellar backhand that she uses for power or as a deadly drop shot.

“The backhand is my favorite shot,” Lukic said.

The rest of her game isn’t bad either. Kigel said Lukic’s serve is “decent” and “good” but it can get better, especially considering her height advantage.

“She’s very good all-around,” Kigel said. “From the way she hits, the way she moves, her mind — she’s very professional.”

The scary thing for Lukic’s opponents to consider is that she is not yet in top condition. In the week before her win over Bartenstein, she made three transcontinental flights from Serbia to Barry and back again as she straightened out visa issues.

Each one of those flights, including connections, represents about 18 hours of travel time.

Lukic won’t rule out playing pro tennis again after she has graduated from Barry — she is a sophomore academically and plans on studying international business.

College, though, suits her perfectly for the moment.

“I’m used to being an individual on the court,” she said. “But now with all these girls on my team, it feels like family.”