After losing eight straight matches, the Arizona women's tennis team desperately needed a win. It got one yesterday, routing Washington State 6-0.
But yesterday's long-awaited victory secured only a weekend split for the Wildcats, who faced Washington Saturday after being rained out Friday. They lost a 4-3 match, but the players said the loss only motivated the team more for yesterday's win.
"Obviously, confidence-wise, with all the close 4-3 losses that have been coming lately, it's been hard to really be upbeat about things," junior Diane Hollands said. "But it was a good win, and we all played really well."
Arizona improved its record to 5-10 and won its first Pacific 10 Conference match of the year against the Cougars (5-14). The Wildcats had lost their previous three matches by 4-3 scores, but were not going to let this one become close.
In doubles competition, the team of junior Maja Mlakar and Hollands won 8-1 over Orsolya Sallai and Chris Martinez. While senior Debbie Larocque and freshman Kasia Jakowlew lost in the second position, junior Kelly Perry and freshman Jessie Rochefort defeated Nora Gaal and Zorana Roganovic 8-1 to get the doubles point.
"Hopefully, if we can transfer our play to the rest of our matches, then we'll definitely improve," Hollands said.
In singles play, the Wildcats won five matches, with one match canceled in the third set because of rain. Hollands, playing on court one, easily handled Lorena Arias 6-0, 6-1. Mlakar, on the other hand, needed a third set to win her match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 over Sallai.
Larocque, Perry and Rochefort also won in two sets, while sophomore Iza Ferreira's match was canceled when the match went to a third set.
The Wildcats took on the nation's No. 6 team in the Huskies, but were unable to pull out a victory. Arizona took two of three doubles matches, with Mlakar and Hollands upsetting the No. 6 doubles team of Claire Carter and Dea Sumantri 8-2.
"We were really looking forward to playing them because they were well-ranked and it was a gauge to see where we stand," Hollands said. "(The doubles win) was a good win for us going into the end of the season, so we can hopefully make doubles for nationals. We have a lot more confidence now that we're beating those well-ranked teams."
Perry and Rochefort also won their match 8-4, while Larocque and Jakowlew lost 8-3. Singles play did not go as well for Arizona. Only Hollands and Perry won for Arizona in six contests.