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Men's tennis drops crucial match to ASU

Team plays waiting game on NCAA regional

After surging 28 spots in the national poll and significantly increasing its chances of receiving an at large playoff berth, the UA men's tennis team lost to Arizona State Saturday 6-1 in Tempe.

As a result, Arizona's post-season picture has been significantly clouded.

"We're definitely on the bubble for getting in (the regionals)," assistant Bob Helmig said.

Leading off in doubles play for the No. 48 Wildcats (10-11 overall, 2-5 Pacific 10 Conference) was junior Jean-Noel LaCoste and sophomore Michel Stopa, who registered an 8-4 win against freshman Mitchell Bowen and sophomore Matt Klinger.

With matches always starting with doubles play, it was important to start off with the team's strongest pair. Playing the last three matches in the No. 1 position, LaCoste and Stopa have provided the team stability.

"Jean-Noel and Michel are defiantly are best doubles team," Helmig said.

Throughout the year, the coaches determine the lineup by the partners' ability, slotting them where they most likely will face opponents of equal status. But this reasoning isn't the only factor.

"We try to find the right chemistry," Helmig said. "We see how well they combine together."

The No. 54 Sun Devils (8-12, 1-6) went on to win five out of six matches in singles play, all in straight sets.

Earning the lone UA point in a shortened match was sophomore Caleb Marquardt, who defeated freshman Mitchell Bowen 6-1, 2-6, 2-1.

During the first set, Bowen severely rolled his ankle as Marquardt coasted through the set. Having to hobble throughout the second set, Bowen began going for tough and risky shots, not returnable by Marquardt.

ASU had clinched the match by the third set, though, and Bowen withdrew from the match.

The devastating loss sends the team into waiting for the 64-team field to be announced.

Even though rankings are taken into account for the regional berths, other factors help Arizona's case. With seven wins against ranked opponents and being in the tough Pac-10, the Wildcats find themselves in the same position as ASU, No. 61 San Diego (14-8) and No. 59 Oregon (11-8).

UA is 1-3 versus these opponents, with the only victory against the Sun Devils, 4-3 on Feb. 26 in Tucson.

"It's too early to say, but our fingers are crossed," Helmig said.