The No. 57 Arizona women's tennis team had a successful start to the Pacific 10 Conference Tournament yesterday in Ojai, Calif., as two players advanced to the quarterfinals.
Senior Dianne Hollands beat Southern California's Dianne Matias, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round, then went on to beat UC Berkeley's Stephanie Kusano in the second round, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.
"Di played two 3 1/2-hour matches today," said Arizona head coach Vicky Maes. "She showed the heart of a champion."
Sophomore Kasia Jakowlew also showed the heart of a champion, as she took down Washington State's Aleksandra Stefanova, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. She then defeated California's Marion Ravelojaona, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Senior Kelly Perry upset one of the best players in the country in Washington's Dinka Hadzic, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6.
She ran out of gas against Stanford's Alice Barnes, losing 6-0, 6-1.
"Kelly played great against Dinka," Maes said, "and Barnes is one of the best players in the country, so I'm very proud of her."
Senior Maja Mlakar received a hard draw in Stanford's Anne Yelsey, who won 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Junior Stephanie Balzert was also beaten by a Cardinal. Whitney Deason defeated Balzert, 6-3, 6-4.
Junior Iza Ferreira, who had not played in the spring, was taken out by Oregon's Ester Bak, 6-2, 6-0.
The girls who lost in the first round get to play one consolation match today, and everyone who made the quarterfinals will play a match, as well.
Doubles play also continues today, as Perry and Jakowlew will team together for the first time.
"We had a tiring day (yesterday)," Maes said. "But the girls are excited, and ready for doubles."