Tennis seeks pair of Texas-sized wins to stay undefeated

If the Arizona men's tennis team is going to remain undefeated it's going to have to do it against two formidable opponents - Texas Tech and Rice.

ERIC M. JUKELEVICS/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior Steven Capriati returns a serve last week in a home match against UC Santa Barbara. The Wildcats face Texas Tech today at Robson Tennis Center.

No. 43 UA (5-0 overall) has an opportunity to finish its non-conference schedule undefeated, which will give it a huge boost entering Pacific 10 Conference play next week.

However, it won't be easy when UA faces the higher-ranked Owls at home on Sunday.

"At this point in the season, I am very pleased with the play of the team," UA assistant coach Bob Helmig said. "Everyone is fighting hard in their matches and that is good to see. We have prepared a lot this week, and we need everyone to put everything in every match to be successful."

Individually, UA senior Steven Capriati is coming off his first loss of the season and Helmig said he is looking forward to stepping on the court and regaining his winning ways.

"He will definitely bounce back," Helmig said. "He has played well all season and nothing will be different this weekend. It is just one match, and he is excited for the all-Texas weekend."

Besides Capriati, UA's other two top players - junior Tom Lloyd and sophomore Whi Kim - are undefeated on the season.

"Whi has played well for us this season," Helmig said. "He has been challenged and he has succeeded. He has played tough this season just like the rest of our team has. I am happy the way everyone is playing."

Texas Tech, who the Wildcats face today at 1:30 p.m., is not ranked, but Helmig said UA cannot afford to overlook any of its opponents.

On the other hand, the No. 39 Owls (2-0) come to Tucson as a premier team on the national level as they have defeated Iowa and Nebraska so far this season.

With conference play approaching, a win over Rice would mark the first time this season that the Wildcats have defeated a higher-ranked opponent.

"We are getting better," UA head coach Bill Wright said. "We have two more matches before it gets real serious. We are working really hard and playing really well."

First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Robson Tennis Center against Texas Tech.