The Arizona women's tennis team will try to end its seven-game losing streak today when it faces Washington State in Tucson. The Wildcats will face stiffer competition in No. 6 Washington tomorrow.
One of the Wildcats' problems has been their tough schedule, as nine of their 13 matches have been against top-25 opponents. Arizona (4-9, 0-3 Pacific 10 Conference) has a record of 1-8 in those matches, compared to 3-1 against non-top-25 foes, with its only loss coming to then-No. 35 Oklahoma, which has since risen to No. 15 in the rankings.
Washington State will be the first non-top-25 team Arizona has faced since New Mexico on Feb. 12.
"We really need to get a win after seven losses in a row," assistant coach Petar Danolic said. "Just the feel of victory would help."
The Cougars (5-10) have no players ranked in the top 100, and their top player has yet to win a match in the first position. Arizona defeated WSU last year 5-2, and holds an 8-1 edge in the all-time series.
Washington (15-3) is led by No. 18 Dea Sumantri, Claire Carter and Erin Hoe, and boasts the No. 6 doubles team of Carter and Sumantri. UA juniors Maja Mlakar and Dianne Hollands, ranked seventh, will have a challenge on their hands.
"Obviously, they're a tough team," Danolic said. "It's going to be a tough match, but it's just like any other match. I think we showed that we can compete against the best, and hopefully we can break through one of those two times."