By
Dan Komyati
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Texas player kicks, screams her way to a loss against Larocque
Once again, the UA women's tennis team wore their hearts on their sleeves and battled one of the nation's best teams to the last point. Unfortunately for Arizona, the Wildcats once again found themselves yesterday on the wrong end of a disheartening defeat.
Texas junior Kaysie Smashey battled back from a set down to outlast Arizona freshman Perrine Pernin, 1-6, 7-5, 6-1, giving the No. 11 Longhorns a 4-3 victory at Robson Tennis Center.
The Wildcats would ultimately split their six singles matches with Texas (14-6 overall, 8-0 Big 12), but in what has been the deciding factor all season, they failed to capture the doubles point.
In an intense and heated confrontation at No. 1 singles, Debbie Larocque would fight back from match point to earn a 6-2, 0-6, 7-5 victory against the Longhorns' Vladka Uhlirova.
Uhlirova complained following most points and fired both insults and tennis balls at Larocque in an attempt to rattle the freshman.
"I don't care it, just makes me stronger," Larocque said of her opponent, who kicked the net and smashed a wooden post during a post-match tirade.
"I was nervous because before the match I was switched from No .4 singles to No. 1. I just decided to play for my team and for myself. I really enjoy playing at No. 1."
The 18-year old freshman has responded to her recent switch to the top of the UA lineup. She improved to 2-2 at that position, earning her 22nd victory of the year.
Determined singles play was seen throughout the Wildcats lineup yesterday despite the loss.
Junior Sophie Regnier's fifth consecutive victory, a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Michelle Krinke, kept the Wildcats competitive until the very end. Junior Laresa Marino also chipped in, notching an impressive victory at No. 3 singles against Rebekah Forney, 7-5, 6-4.
Despite failing to capture the doubles point for the 11th time in as many losses, UA head coach Brad Dancer said he liked what he saw from his team.
"We had a lot of strong (individual) performances, but our doubles play was pretty weak," said Dancer. "We're not playing good doubles, and here's another day where that decides the match for us."
The season will come down to the wire for the No. 40 Wildcats (6-11 overall, 1-9 Pacific 10 Conference), who may need an upset victory in one of their final three matches to qualify for the NCAA Championships. They play host to No. 9 California on tomorrow at 1:30.
"If we win any of the next matches we'll be in (the NCAA tournament)," Dancer said. "It's too bad because this was such a tight match. It would have - without a doubt - put us in."
