By
David Stevenson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA falls to ASU, defeats Loyola Marymount
Winners of four of its last five matches, Arizona split its weekend series, defeating Loyola Marymount only to lose to Arizona State.
Sunday, No. 54 UA (7-2 overall, 0-2 Pacific 10 Conference) defeated the Lions, (1-5) 5-2, sweeping all three doubles matches courtesy of a new doubles lineup. Sophomore Tom Lloyd and freshman Whi Kim - who were first paired last weekend - won 8-4 for their second win of the season.
"We couldn't get a doubles point to save our life, so we changed it around in Texas and it's been doing well." Lloyd said.
Lloyd scratched himself from the singles lineup after the match because of bone chips in his left foot.
Eyeing this upcoming weekend's tough schedule, he values the extra rest .
"I wanted to play, but I need the rest to get ready for next weekend against (UC) Irvine and San Diego," Lloyd said.
Junior Steve Capriati's 6-1, 6-1 win extended his four-match winning streak. Freshman Roeland Brateanu and Kim each followed with wins of their own. A third freshman, Carl Hagman, came up short (4-6, 6-2, 6-7 (7)) in the final match of the day.
Due to the match's length, the last set was played to 10 points, which disappointed the freshman.
"It's tough to play the third match to 10 points," he said. "In this type of match, you can almost beat anybody or lose to anybody."
Though he came up on the losing end, the entire team lined his court during the match, cheering him through every point.
"It's really a great feeling to have everyone behind you" Hagman said.
With Hagman playing in the No. 2 slot, Kim in the No. 3 hole and Brateanu playing the No. 6 spot, the three freshmen seemed to have shed their inexperience.
"These guys are supposed to play well," Lloyd said. "It's nice to see them live up to their expectations."
The win helped to salvage a weekend that started off slowly for the Wildcats.
In Tempe Saturday, the Wildcats fell to No. 24 ASU (6-3, 2-1), 5-2. Capriati's 6-4, 6-2 win and Brateanu's 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 victory provided the only points of the match.
"It was a dogfight every match, everyone was pumped to play," senior Jari Niskala said.
