Depleted Wildcat men's team hosts Michigan

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat After the Wildcats lost their top freshman recruit to injury senior Roland Kupka says the team needs to "bear down and make the best of the situation." Arizona faces Michigan today.

The Wildcats (4-3 overall, 0-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division) regained the services of one of their top recruits, Jerome Oliveri last weekend, but lost their other top recruit Jean-Noel Lacoste over the weekend.

"We have to be optimistic," senior Roland Kupka said. "Now it will be very, very difficult, but all we can do is bear down and make the best of the situation."

Lacoste, a freshman from Stockholm, Sweden, pulled his groin two weeks ago. His matches over the weekend further complicated the injury.

"Injuries are a part of anything, but we're just trying to keep as positive as we can," UA head coach Wright said.

Lacoste will spend this afternoon's 1:30 match at Robson Tennis Center against Michigan on the sideline.

"It's really frustrating, especially because I was playing really well before this happened," Lacoste said."Now it's even worse and makes me think I maybe should have chosen not to play last weekend."

It has been eight years since Michigan (2-2 overall) was on Arizona's schedule and that match was canceled due to rain.

"It's nice to see some new faces. We don't see them that much, but they always have a good team," Wright said.

The Wolverines lost 6-1 to Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday.

Wright said he expects the Wolverines, who are ranked 30th in the nation, to enjoy playing on Robson Tennis Center's courts.

"They're an indoor team that is very solid," Wright said. "Usually indoor teams play good on our courts because they're fast, so it'll be to their liking."

Freshman Brad McFarland was recruited by Arizona but opted to play for Michigan. He has been playing in the lower singles positions for the Wolverines.

Kupka said a victory today with a depleted team would fire them up going into the matches against UCLA and Southern Cal this weekend. UA was swept in Los Angeles last month.

"It's not a conference match, but it's still important," Kupka said. "We need some confidence for the weekend and if we get a win (today), it would make life much easier."