By Craig Sanders
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels tripped on a large hurdle Saturday when they visited the fifth-ranked Arizona women's tennis team.
The Wildcats swept the Rebels in singles on their way to an 8-1 dual-match victory, making it the fourth sweep in the five-match winning streak. Arizona has won 29 of its last 30 singles matches.
"Everyone is so fired up to play us now," sophomore Stephanie Sammaritano said. "That's why we can't overlook anyone. UNLV is much better than Washington or Washington State. Sweeping them in singles was great."
Vicky Maes, Arizona's No. 1 singles player, was the only Wildcat to be taken to three sets. UNLV's Marianne Vallin was dominated 1-6 in the first set before bouncing back in the second 6-2. Maes was able to rebound as she put together a 6-2 victory.
Arizona's only loss was a surprising one. The Wildcats' No. 1 doubles team of Eva Maria Schurhoff and Vicky Maes, ranked No. 5 in the nation with a 9-1 record, lost in pro sets 8-6 to UNLV's Marianne Vallin and Astrid Copano.
The Wildcats' lineup of Maes, Schurhoff, Sammaritano, Angela Bernal, Melody Falco and Betsy Miringoff have been dominating recently despite having no one ranked above 48th.
The Wildcats have one match remaining in their seven-match home stand. Their last loss was 5-1 to second-ranked UCLA March 10.
Arizona improved to 15-3 overall and 5-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference South. UNLV dropped to 11-4 on the season.
The UA will have a week to recuperate before their match with fourth-ranked Texas at the Robson Tennis Center Saturday at 11 a.m.