Team reloads after top players depart

After a strong fall season, the women's tennis team is anxious to start the regular season. With the addition of two freshmen, the team is hoping to replace last year's top three players.

"Everyone's been working hard and are ready to start," Arizona head coach Vicky Maes said.

The team will be able to look to returning seniors Stephanie Balzert and Iza Ferreira for experience, but team captains are junior Kasia Jakowlew and freshman Danielle Steinberg.

"Kasia has always been active and involved in team issues," said Ferreira. "Danielle is very mature, has great experience and is responsible with everything she does."

While Steinberg is a freshman this year, she is already 21 years old, having delayed her collegiate career by serving in the Israeli Army for two years. Her eligibility for this year is pending, Ferreira said.

This means that the Wildcats will only be using seven total players while Steinberg waits to receive clearance to play.

Going into the season, Maes said she thinks that the girls are more prepared than in previous years.

Adapting hasn't been much of a challenge. - Kasia Jakowlew, junior

"Everyone made huge strides in the fall and has improved on what they were expected to improve upon," Maes said.

Ferreira said that the conditioning aspects of practice as well as the actual practices have been harder this year than in the previous years she has been at Arizona, which should bolster the team's endurance when they begin regular season competition.

Entering play in the tough Pacific 10 Conference will be the hardest challenge for the Wildcats. California, UCLA and Southern California are all in the top 20, with the Trojans ranked No. 5.

The coaches are hoping that the girls will be able to step up and come together at the same time this season.

"The girls feel like they can live up to the challenges with the teammates this year and are more comfortable playing each other," Maes said.

Not only are they more comfortable, but the entire team's spirit is high, Jakowlew said.

The addition of sophomore Juliette Mavroleon, a transfer from the University of Miami, will bring added competition for the top spots. She joins the class of sophomore Camelia Todorova, who played for the Wildcats last year, giving the Wildcats a duo of players in each class.

The team is diverse in more ways than one, comprising members from countries across the world, including Germany, Brazil, Sweden, Slovenia, Israel, and Canada.

"Adapting hasn't been much of a challenge," Jakowlew said. "We really enjoy each other's company and look at it as a learning opportunity to know each other's background."

After the long break of practice and anticipation, the Wildcats kicked off their season against NAU on Saturday in an exact replica of the results from 2005.

The Wildcats (1-0) defeated NAU 7-0, with each team member winning her individual match along with two out of three doubles teams taking the win. The win increased Arizona's undefeated record against the Lumberjacks to 13-0.