By Steve Fanucchi
Arizona Daily Wildcat
A young but experienced Arizona men's tennis team began its 1995 season yesterday by stomping the University of Texas-El Paso at Robson Tennis Center.
The first dual match of the year proved to be nothing more than a nonconference win. Not only did the UA win the overall match by a score of 7-0, it did it with ease.
The Wildcats' confidence played a key factor in taking over the dual match, which members of both teams originally thought was going to be close.
The fast courts proved to be very costly, as the Miners could not keep up with the Wildcats' strength.
Arizona is currently ranked seventh in the Region VIII Rolex Collegiate Rankings and UTEP came to Tucson ranked fourth in the Region VII rankings.
The seventh-ranked player in the country, Jan Anderson, easily defeated Alen Galic 6-1, 6-1.
"I felt really good out there today, my serve was good and my forehand worked really well," Anderson said.
Playing in the No. 2 position was junior Chris Jenkins, who defeated Gwenym Tongoona 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
Sten Sumberg, who was recently out due to an injury, played very well and defeated Rogelio Puente 6-2, 6-1, despite coming into yesterday's match not 100 percent.
"I felt I played very well considering my knee. I served very well throughout the match and attacked to the net when I thought it was necessary to put the ball away," Sumberg said.
Right from the get-go, Sumberg played all of his shots extremely well, placing them down both lines,
making Puente move all over the court.
"I just got off to a really great start, I played really well and just killed his confidence," Sumberg said.
Freshman sensation Roland Kupka continued to impress his coach with a long battle in the fourth spot. Kupka defeated Ralph Scholten 6-2, 7-6.
Eddie Schwartz and James Rey both won their singles matches in straight sets. Schwartz defeated Jose Lopez 6-3, 6-4 and Rey defeated Aitor Zubiarrian 7-6, 6-0.
In doubles, Anderson and Schwartz defeated Urlaub and Natbert 8-5. Jenkins and Rey won over Tongoona and Zubiarrian 8-1. Sumberg and Kupka lost to Galic and Puente 8-2. All of the doubles matches were played on a pro set Ä best out of three winners wins the one point for the overall standings.
When the Wildcats took their rackets out of their bags, they did not expect to sweep the Miners. To start the season like this is something that will stay in the minds of the players for a long time.
Arizona head coach Bill Wright was in awe over the sweep of the Miners.
"I think the guys played outstanding, hoping the wind did not blow them away," Wright said.
The Wildcats will next host the University of Utah today in Tucson.