Women's Tennis: Wildcats finish regular season in Tempe


By Matthew Bassin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday, April 15, 2005

The No. 51 Arizona women's tennis team is looking to get a little revenge tomorrow.

Arizona (7-11, 1-6 Pacific 10 Conference) travels to Tempe to face No. 24 ASU (9-7, 3-3) tomorrow at 1 p.m.

ASU got the better of the Wildcats when the teams squared off in Tucson March 12.

This time, Arizona thinks the outcome is going to be different.

"Doubles (play) is what cost us last time," said Wildcat assistant coach Brian Ramirez. "They were more aggressive. They're one of the few teams that took it to us in doubles this year."

Arizona has had a strong doubles team this year and hopes to get the better of ASU this time.

"We're playing for pride," said head coach Vicky Maes. "This is for bragging rights."

The Wildcats have beaten the Sun Devils on their home court each of the last three years.

"Last time we played, the match came down to one point," Maes said. "It was tight the whole way."

Arizona needs this win if it hopes to make the NCAA Tournament.

This is also the last regular-season match for seniors Dianne Hollands, Maja Mlakar and Kelly Perry.

"We're all fired up," Hollands said. "We're getting revenge in doubles."

Ramirez said there are certain things that cost the Wildcats the match, besides losing the doubles point.

"We've worked on things that hurt us last time," Ramirez said. "Hopefully things will go our way this time."

Maes said the courts at ASU are slower than at home, which should help the players on court five and six.

"It will slow the ball down," Maes said. "It'll give our girls more time to square up."