For the first time all season, the UA women's tennis team will hit the court as a team, not just as individual players.

With the individual season behind them, the No. 51 Wildcats begin their team season this weekend against a trio of lower-ranked opponents at home in the Robson Tennis Center.

The three-team dual meet will pit the Wildcats against No. 52 Kansas State tomorrow, No. 53 San Diego Saturday and No. 56 New Mexico Sunday.

"We are very confident we can beat any team in the country," UA head coach Vicky Maes said. "At the same time, we realize that we have to show up every match. We are going to need a 100 percent effort from everyone fighting behind each other to be successful this weekend."

UA is led by sophomore Debbie Larocque and freshman Maja Mlakar, who are the top two individual players as well as the No. 1 doubles team for the Wildcats.

Mlakar made her name known nationally last weekend at the Pac-10 Indoor Championships by defeating No. 7 Megan Bradley of UCLA and No. 23 Racquel Kops-Jones of California.

"I was very pleased with Maya's play," Maes said. "She should have won her semifinal match, but for a freshman to show up at a Pac-10 meet and beat the No. 23 and No. 7 (players) in the country is pretty impressive.

"She has made a statement to the rest of the field. I know she can beat anyone."

Mlakar said she is surprised at the success she is having at such a young age.

"I played some top girls and I did not expect those results," Mlakar said

The Wildcats are expecting senior Laresa Marino, who is a three-year player for the Wildcats but has been slowed by injuries this season, to return to the roster this weekend.

"We are confident everyone will be in the lineup," Maes said. "Laresa will be able to play some doubles for us this weekend. That is tennis - everyone has to play through injury."