By
Dan Komyati
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Cats look to avenge first-ever defeat to Oregon today
Just days after junior No. 1 singles player Lindsey Blau decided to leave the UA women's tennis team citing differences with her coaches, the Wildcats will try to pick up the pieces when they play host to New Mexico and Oregon.
The Wildcats will meet the Ducks at 1:30 p.m. today and the Lobos at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Both matches will be held at UA's Robson Tennis Center.
Oregon has played well lately and won their last three matches by a combined set score of 19-1.
UO has defeated the Wildcats just twice since 1985.
UA head coach Brad Dancer said he will be looking for a more loose and focused Wildcat squad today.
"Hopefully, we'll be a little less nervous this weekend," Dancer said after his team appeared a little tense despite dominating Northern Arizona last weekend.
The Wildcats will try to continue an 11-match unbeaten streak against New Mexico tomorrow. The Lobos are in the midst of a four-game road trip after defeating Oklahoma and losing to Tulsa last weekend.
Both the Wildcats and the Lobos have defeated Northern Arizona by a 7-0 margin so far this season.
While the No. 25 Wildcats remained the fifth-ranked team in its region, three UA singles players find themselves ranked in the singles poll.
Senior Michelle Gough is ranked No. 3, freshman Debbie Larocque is No. 19 and junior Laresa Marino is No. 24.
