Men staying home after disappointing season

After suffering two consecutive 7-0 losses during a trip to Southern California in mid February, the Wildcat team diminished, losing 12 of its remaining 14 matches.

"These schools are a heck of a lot farther ahead than us," UA head coach Bill Wright said after UCLA and Southern Cal swept the Wildcats.

The other teams in the Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division proved to have longer strides than Arizona as well.

The Wildcats loss all 10 of their conference matches on their way to a last place finish.

The 5-14 team saw many injuries during the season.

Of the 10 players on its roster, more than half of the players sat out at least one match.

Recruits Jean-Noel Lacoste, a freshman, and junior transfer Jerome Oliveri frequented the injury list for much of the season.

"We have to be optimistic," said senior Roland Kupka, while Arizona was at the pinnacle of its injuries. "All we can do is bear down and make the best of the situation."

One highlight of the season was Tom Haugland, one of three seniors.

He was the deciding factor on two separate winning occasions by squeezing out a singles victory with the overall score tied at three points each.

"He's been in that spot before so his experience was a big help," Wright said.