The 10th-ranked Arizona women's tennis team beat the Pacific Tigers 5-1 yesterday in its season opener at the UA's Robson Tennis Center.

The Wildcats' top four players won their matches. Two doubles matches were still in progress when the Wildcat went to press, but their results had no bearing on the winner. Arizona's No.1 player, sophomore Vicky Maes, fresh off a clay court championship in the Milwaukee Tennis Classic Jan. 14, defeated Pacific's Bente Grina 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 despite a lingering hip injury.

Arizona's No. 2 player, junior Stephanie Sammaritano, easily disposed of the Tigers' Marcela Sanchez 6-0, 6-2. The Wildcats' only singles loss came when Pacific's Marsa Kuurne beat junior transfer Khristen Pietrucha 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

"I think it was a good first match," Arizona head coach Becky Bell said. "I think that sometimes the first few matches of the season are a little tougher and UOP was a decent team. I was very proud of some of our players."

Arizona enters the season with high hopes after a disappointing finish in the NCAA tournament last season. The Wildcats lost to then-No. 8 Duke in the second round after finishing the season with a 16-7 overall record and a No. 8 ranking in the nation. The team finished third in the Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division.

Last year's season was highlighted by victories over six of the top 10 teams in the nation, including a win over eventual national champion Texas. Arizona climbed as high as a No. 4 ranking, its highest ever, before beginning a late-season slide.

Transfers Khristen Pietrucha from Kentucky, Olivia Gravereaux from France and Karen Goldstein from Mexico will join freshmen Monique Allegre and Brooke Herman on this season's Wildcat squad. The newcomers will join the solid core of returners Maes, Sammaritano and sophomores Betsy Miringoff and Erin Pavelko.

"So far this year we're looking pretty good," Sammaritano said. "I think (last year) was a learning experience. The NCAA is the biggest tournament of the year and something we have to be ready for. We didn't really know where we were when we entered last year."

The Wildcats will travel to Seattle for the Pacific 10 Conference Indoor Championships tomorrow.