Tennis teams open Pacific10 conference play

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Mike MacKay says that believing in the team will lead the Wildcats to victory this weekend as they take on UCLA and Southern Cal. Arizona did not win a single match in last season's conference play.

Stephanie London does not want her No. 23 Wildcats (2-1), who are coming off a 5-4 loss to ninth-ranked Mississippi last weekend "to be satisfied with just a close loss."

"USC for the last two years has had the same team. They are experienced, but for some reason have not capitalized on that experience," said London, who is in her first coaching season at UA. "I think we can win that match, because our team unity is stronger. Each head-to-head match, however, will still be tight."

The USC match begins today at 2 p.m. and the UCLA challenge is on Saturday at noon. Both Pacific-10 Conference matches will be played at the Robson Tennis Center.

"UCLA is the strongest team, so that's going to be the real challenge," London said. "Everyone will have to step up for us to beat the Bruins."

Freshman Suzanne Zabrodsky, who will playing in just her third UA match, is unfazed by the Trojans and Bruins.

"I think that you should go into a match having no respect," she said. "You just have to go out there and do your job."

Meanwhile, UA men's coach Bill Wright hopes to tame the competition as he leads his No. 61 men's team against second-ranked UCLA and No. 10 USC in Los Angeles. The men take on UCLA today and the Trojans tomorrow afternoon.

"It's tough to go on the road, especially against those teams and their depth, but I think we match up very well," Wright said. "We matchup better against UCLA, because the best player in the country plays for USC."

Senior Mike McKay doesn't need any added motivation for the conference-opening weekend. Last season the team went winless in conference play.

"Anything less than a win won't be a good showing," McKay said. "We just have to believe in ourselves, that's all."