By
David Stevenson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA's season a preview of tomorrow's tournament
To say the UA men's tennis team had a good season is an understatement.
A team with just one senior in the lineup, No. 38 Arizona (12-9 overall, 2-6 in Pacific 10 Conference) overcame the inexperience of new players.
Tomorrow they begin postseason play at the NCAA Regionals. But the newcomers galvanized the playoff berth.
Junior Steven Capriati transferred from Southern Florida to get away from home. He adjusted well and played in the No. 1 position in the singles lineup all season.
Capriati broke into the national rankings at No. 84 on April 18. He lost to No. 67 Nic Dubey in the final home match of the year against Arizona State. It wasn't easy for him through the season, though.
He fought back problems and missed matches against Stanford and California because he was ill with a 103 degree temperature.
Now at No. 92, he's excited about his new team.
"We're all friends on this team, something I really like." Capriati said.
Freshman Carl Hagman played mostly in the No. 2 position during the season. He took over when sophomore Tom Lloyd came down with recurring injuries in his right foot and hip.
Hagman quickly adjusted and had two big wins against Washington's Andrej Bizjok and California's Adrian Barnes to score the teams two biggest upset wins of the year.
"I don't think about what kind of ranking he has, I just go out an play my game," Hagman said.
Freshman Whi Kim bounced in between the No. 3 and 4 positions. He was the 2000 Indoor Singles champion and at one point had a 10-match winning streak.
"It is a great feeling to have your team behind you," he said. "It just gives you confidence when your teammates know you can win."
Senior Jari Niskala provided the most experience on the team. Despite making the lineup after a long summer workout, the senior played mostly in the No. 5 position in the lineup.
Niskala - a team favorite - often arranged off-court activities to keep the team loose. Teammates said that movie nights and basketball games helped keep UA together throughout the season.
"Jari, well he doesn't have the greatest lay-up I've ever seen," junior Brian Jackson said.
The senior said his favorite moments of the season came in upset victories against three Pac-10 opponents.
"Beating Cal, Washington and ASU during the year were the best moments of my career," Niskala said.
