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Tennis teams face tough Calif. schools

Men host Golden Bears, Cardinal; women face same 2 on

Nearing the end of their Pacific 10 Conference schedules, both the UA men's and women's tennis teams face California and Stanford, this weekend.

The men's team faces No. 33 California (10-6 overall, 3-5 in Pac-10) today. The Golden Bears, who have gone 5-2 in their last seven matches, have already beaten No. 71 Arizona (8-9, 1-8) this season.

Arizona, which fell to Cal 5-2 on April 1, has marked this date as a chance to get revenge and move up the Pac-10 standings.

A victory against the Golden Bears would significantly help the team in its consideration of the NCAA regionals.

"This is the match we've been waiting for," senior Jean-Noel LaCoste said.

In preparation, the team has been conditioning more on the court, while limiting practice time. With the heat increasing and having two matches a week, the team uses this set-up to beat both a hectic schedule and the hot weather.

Tomorrow, No. 1 Stanford (18-0, 10-0) comes into Tucson boasting four nationally ranked players in their singles lineup.

No. 3 junior Alex Kim, No. 12 senior Geoff Abrams, No. 13 sophomore K. J. Hippensteel and No. 94 junior Scotty Scott have held the top four singles positions in Cardinal lineup this season.

In doubles play, the Cardinal team is equally talented. The No. 1 team of Kim and Abrams have held the top national ranking since December, and following them in the second spot of the lineup will be No. 21 Hippensteel and freshman David Martin.

The men's match versus California begins at 1:30 p.m. while tomorrow's match with Stanford starts at noon, both at Robson Tennis Center

The women's team, while retaining a top-20 ranking, head to California to play both California and Stanford.

No. 18 Arizona (9-8, 3-2) is among five other Pac-10 schools ranked nationally. Though the Wildcats are excited about jumping two spots in the poll, the team is still focused on breaking in the top 16, allowing them to be a host during the NCAA regionals.

"If we win one out of (our next) three matches we'll get to 16," sophomore Laresa Marino said.

Coming off of a sweep in Washington last week, UA stops in Palo Alto, Calif. today to face No. 1 Stanford (20-0, 3-0). The Cardinal is currently on a 36-match win streak dating back to Feb. 27, 1999.

Easily defeating the Wildcats 9-0 on March 9, Stanford's singles lineup consists only of ranked players. Laura Granville will likely play in the No. 1 position, as she is also ranked 85th in the world.

In doubles, two out of three duos are also nationally ranked as No. 27 Ashley and Granville lead the way.

Tomorrow, Arizona lands in Berkeley, to face No. 4 California. On a two-match winning streak and led by No. 17 Amy Jensen, the Golden Bears defeated UA 7-2 on March 3.

Doubles is equally strong for the Golden Bears with No. 6 Karoline Borgersen and Anita Kurimay.