By Craig Sanders
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The fifth-ranked Arizona women's tennis team completed its second straight singles sweep yesterday on its way to an 8-1 blitzing of Washington.
The Wildcats, who defeated 13th-ranked Southern Cal 6-0 March 11, improved to 12-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference South. The UA remained No. 5 in the new Rolex Collegiate Tennis Rankings.
Arizona came out with a strong performance, winning its first five matches in just over an hour. Only the Wildcats' No. 4 player, Angela Bernal, struggled with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Kari Luna. As a team, Arizona's 6-0 victory in singles decided the match before doubles play began.
"Our victory over USC and today's win were very strong mental matches for us," UA coach Becky Bell said. "We came back after spring break and remained focused. All of the girls have worked really hard for this."
The Wildcats' No.1 player, Vicky Maes, defeated Washington's Lisa Proctor in straight sets 6-0, 6-1. Her game appeared varied and she used a more subtle approach in contrast to her usual power game. Maes concentrated on backspin that placed the ball at a higher angle, eliminating many of the slashing shots into the top of the net that has plagued her in recent weeks.
"I just tried to play with the wind," Maes said. "I was more patient and waited for my chances instead of forcing them. It was a really good match for me."
Arizona used an experimental lineup in doubles, moving No. 2 doubles players Melody Falco and Stephanie Sammaritano into the first position. They replaced UA's nationally-ranked team of Maes and Eva Maria Schurhoff. Falco and Sammaritano came through, defeating Washington's Kim Frost and Lisa Proctor 6-2, 6-3. Arizona's only loss came when Maes and seldom-used freshman Erin Pavelko lost the No. 3 match to Karin Cosit and Luna 6-7, 3-6.
The victory over the Huskies ensures that the Wildcats will not have a losing season.