Unusual for Arizona in the midst of a drought, bad weather led the No. 30 Wildcats to have to contain their enthusiasm until the rain subsided, delaying their match and eventual 4-3 loss to No. 63 Penn yesterday.

The Arizona women’s tennis team was pumped and ready to come home to end its four-game losing streak – yet the match didn’t go exactly as planned.

“”The rain delay didn’t have an effect,”” said freshman Danielle Steinberg. “”We just weren’t 100 percent ready.””

Arizona started strong with Steinberg easily winning her match in a timely fashion. About 20 minutes after the first serve Steinberg had finished off her opponent 6-1, 6-1.

“”I was happy to get the job done,”” Steinberg said.

Sophomore Camelia Todorova didn’t seem shaken from the delay either. She followed suit and finished her match in just two sets in the No. 5 slot.

With Arizona up 3-2, the pressure was on freshman Tina Razloznik when her match went into three sets. The competitiveness and drive she showed wasn’t enough, though, as the Wildcats were forced into doubles play.

“”We were very flat today and didn’t compete well as a group,”” assistant coach Brian Ramirez said.

By this time, there was no natural light remaining for the girls to play under, so the court lights went on.

In the No. 2 position, Steinberg and Todorova won their match against Penn. But two more match achievements were still needed in order for the winner to be decided. It was up to junior Kasia Jakowlew and junior Jessie Rochefort, playing in the No. 1 slot, along with senior partners Stephanie Balzert and Iza Ferreira to finish it off, a task they could not complete.

“”The girls are tired and have been pushed hard,”” said Ramirez. “”They are just worn out.””