Wildcats now await seeding for the NCAA tournament after tough time at the conference championships

The UA men's tennis team took to California this weekend, looking to claim a stake in the Pac-10 championship.

The Wildcats enjoyed moderate success during the four-day Pac-10 tournament that was played in conjunction with the 103rd annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament held in Ojai, Calif. Despite failing to advance past the semifinals in any of their matches, Arizona played well enough to earn themselves a fourth-place finish in the 10-member conference.

"I think some of the guys played better than others," assistant coach Bob Helmig said. "We had some tough first round matches across the board."

In singles play, Arizona's young guns led the way for the Wildcats in the Invitational-Draw category. Daniel Andrus won the only singles match for Arizona on the opening day of play. The freshman defeated Scott Felsenthal of Washington 6-3, 6-1.

Andrus fell in his second-round matchup to Steve Berke of Southern California in a match that went the distance, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

None of the four Wildcats participating in the main-draw singles matches were able to post a victory, including junior Whi Kim, who dropped his match to No. 124 Johan Berg of Southern California, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

Arizona enjoyed its most success in doubles play. After receiving a bye in the first round of doubles competition on Friday, Kim and his partner Paul Warkentin sent Thomas Bieri and Manuel Kost of Oregon to an 8-6 loss.

In the doubles semifinal match on Saturday, the pair was unable to advance, falling to KC Corkery and James Pade of Stanford by a final score of 8-4.

In the invitational bracket, the duo of Andrus and Tim Mullane fended off Cal's Dean Wallace and Wayne Wong by a score of 8-4. The pair was not as successful in its next match, however, dropping the decision to Carter Morris and Sam Warburg of Stanford, 8-6.

"Doubles was very good. We shuffled some things around; we came together," Helmig said. "All in all, we are confident in the doubles teams we have. We know exactly what we are going to do at regionals."

Arizona now awaits word from the NCAA, who will decide the national tournament seedings this week.

Despite not advancing any player past the semifinals, Helmig feels his Wildcats will be ready for the NCAAs.

"We were hoping for more wins, more results," Helmig added, "but we're in a good place now, looking forward to the regionals."

"We want our players to be sharp, rested, eager and ready to go. At this point, it's fine-tuning their games and fitness. These guys have played a lot of tennis in the last six weeks, and some guys need a little more rest than the others."

"Whenever you know you are going to get into the postseason, it gives you that extra mental and emotional lift."

Arizona heads into the 64-school NCAA tourney ranked No. 32 in the country. Seedings and locations will be announced Wednesday afternoon on ESPN News at 2:05 p.m.