Men's tennis hosts nation's best in final homestand

UA's men's tennis team (4-6 overall, 1-4 Pacific 10 Conference) should be nervous for a 1:30 p.m. engagement with top-ranked Stanford today, but don't expect any sweaty Arizona tennis palms.

"We know they are very good, and have only lost game in one match all season, but I told the guys that we have nothing to lose," senior Jerome Oliveri, the team captain, said.

The Cardinal has won all 13 of its matches this year and holds an unblemished 3-0 mark in the Pacific 10 Conference.

"There is no team in the country that is close to Stanford, but we'll start at 0-0 on Friday and try to win all the matches," senior Roland Kupka said.

Saturday, No. 24 California will enter the Wildcats' den, the Robson Tennis Center, with an 8-2 overall record and a 2-1 Pac-10 mark.

"It's a big match, because we feel that we have a chance to beat them, and are being realistic about our chances against Stanford," Oliveri said. "All of our energy is focused on California."

Three Arizona players will don red and blue tennis jerseys for the last time at home.

"I hope it's not going to be too emotional," Kupka said. "I've lived part of my life on these courts, and these matches mean that part of my life is almost coming to an end."

"For me, it's really not a big deal," senior Michael MacKay said. "It's just another match and I just want to win."