Coach Ramirez, "These girls are beatable"

The No. 48 Arizona women's tennis team has a tough task ahead of them this weekend.

The Wildcats (5-3, 0-1) face No. 1 Stanford (9-0, 4-0) today at 1 p.m., and meet No. 15 California tomorrow at noon. Both matches will be at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center.

"They're a great team, but they are beatable," said Arizona assistant coach Brian Ramirez of the top-ranked Cardinal.

Ramirez should know better than anyone, as he was an assistant at Stanford until this year.

He said a lot of teams defeat themselves before Stanford even walks onto the court.

"One of the biggest reasons they win is their reputation," he said. "But if you go out there and remember they are regular people, who make mistakes and get nervous like anyone else, then you've got a shot."

If Arizona plans on accomplishing this daunting task, Ramirez said, it needs to go out and play to the best of its ability.

"This team won't walk on the court and give them (Stanford) stuff," he said. "They're going to get their points, but the more you make them compete, the better it is for us."

Arizona head coach Vicky Maes said she is excited at the chance to play the Cardinal.

"I told all of the girls, they are good enough to beat Stanford," Ramirez said. "They just have to play their game and let Stanford get in their own way.

They'll make mistakes."