SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore Perrine Pernin returns a serve in practice earlier this week.

The UA women's tennis team might have finished its 2001 season No. 9 in the Pacific 10 Conference, but with a new coach - Vicky Maes - and a young freshman class, they have reason to be optimistic for 2002.

The Wildcats will play for the first time in more than two months at the Pac-10 Indoor Championships in Seattle this weekend.

"It is important for us to get in as many matches (as possible) before the regular season starts," UA assistant coach Simon Thibodeau said. "This event will gives us a chance to see the competition in the Pac-10 and the level of play needed to compete with the best teams."

Freshman Maja Mlakar, who has added young talent to the roster so far this season, said UA's season prospects are very promising.

"We definitely have a good team this season," she said. "I think we are much better than our ranking right now. I think we can definitely improve our rankings as the season goes along."

Maes said that playing against the elite players from the Pac-10 will allow the Wildcats to make a name for themselves before conference play begins.

"If everyone can pick up a few wins, we will feel more confident heading into our regular season because the Pac-10 is so strong," Maes said. "(The Pac-10) is the strongest conference in the country and any good results this weekend will help us down the road. The level of play is so high in our conference and this event will allow us to see what we need to do to improve."

The No. 51 Wildcats enter the tournament led by Mlakar and sophomore Debbie Larocque, who come in with national singles rankings of No. 54 and No. 89, respectively.

On the doubles side, Larocque and senior Laresa Marino are currently ranked 40th in the nation, but Marino will be sidelined this weekend for unspecified injuries.

Therefore, Larocque will team up with Mlakar, which they did frequently during the fall season.

Their 3-1 doubles record in the fall earned Larocque and Mlakar a No. 56 ranking.

This marks the last individual event for the Wildcats before the team season begins next week, but Maes said they are still looking at this event as a team competition.

"My expectations are that I want them to give 110 percent on every point," Maes said. "We are trying to rebuild pride at UA for tennis. We want the girls to play for the school and the team. If they lose and they give 110 percent, it is not an issue for us."