Wildcat men win both matches over the break

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Monique Allegre returns a ball during a match against UCLA March 13 at Robson Tennis Center. The UA women's tennis team will face Northwestern this Thursday at Robson.

The Wildcats defeated the Miners 5-2 and the No. 35-ranked Boilermakers 4-3.

Arizona was led Saturday by senior Adnan Novo, who defeated Osvaldo Biffe 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the No. 1 position. Arizona's Pascal Salasca, Michel Stopa, Caleb Marquardt and Alex Brown also pulled out victories.

Against Purdue, Novo garnered the No. 1 spot, beating Jason Marshall 6-4, 7-5. UA junior Jean-Noel LaCoste placed second over Derek Myers 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Marquardt and Brown also pulled out wins.

"The guys played really well," UA head coach Bill Wright said. "In both matches against UTEP and Purdue UA was down in doubles play and responded well to that and finished strong."

UA did lose two matches over the break, to Southern Cal March 12 and to UCLA March 13.

Arizona next hosts Stanford Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Robson.

Women's tennis swept over the break

The UA women's team did not fare as well over the break, dropping to 4-9 on the season and 0-7 in the Pacific 10 Conference.

The Wildcats lost to Southern Cal 5-3 March 12 and to UCLA 5-1 March 13 in conference play.

"A goal of ours is to knock off a team in the top 15," UA head coach Stephanie London said. "It was our first go at it, it will just take time."

Arizona then lost a non-conference match to Texas 5-1 Saturday. UA's lone win came from freshman Lindsay Blau in the No. 1 spot as she defeated the Longhorns' Michelle Faucher 3-6, 7-6, 6-0.

"Individually each girl is improving here and there," London said. "We just have to bring it all together now."

The Wildcats next play Northwestern Thursday at 2 p.m. at Robson Tennis Center.

Katie Fonken can be reached at Katie.Fonken@wildcat.arizona.edu.