Same state, same approach for women’s tennis.

Last weekend, UA assistant coach Brian Ramirez received a progress report from sophomores Natalia Toporowska and Katie Orletsky at the Bulldog Invitational in Fresno, Calif. This weekend, the trio returns to the Golden State for the Cal invitational Tournament in Berkeley, Calif.

Arizona aims

to bring the same mindset of improving on the individual goals that essentially define the fall tournament season, Ramirez said.

Specifically, both athletes need to improve the mental portions of their game and focus on executing each area of play, he added.

“”They both know exactly what they need to be doing, but they need to force themselves mentally to do it all the time,”” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said positive reinforcement and regular reminders can help them understand they’re on the right track. Traveling back-to-back weekends together allows Ramirez to monitor every aspect and progress of the women’s game.

“”We can see one week to the next how well they understand what they’re doing and the thought process to actually executing,”” he said. “”We’re going to see if they can grasp it mentally and make progress in the area.””

Ramirez said both athletes are battling a virus, but that they are
closer to full health after a week of coping with sickness.

Last weekend, Orletsky and Toporowska met overall expectations in singles and doubles play. Toporowska
defeated Pacific’s Jolanta Twarowska 6-4, 6-3 but withdrew from second- round play due to sickness.

Orletsky concluded Arizona’s tournament with a loss to
Santa Clara’s Myra Davoudi, 6-3, 5-7, 10-8.

Both Orletsky and Toporowska have outlined specific areas to focus on. Ramirez said the athletes spent time this week solidifying stroke production, which in turn decreases unforced errors.

“”Fall has very little to do with winning or losing,”” he said. “”Yes,
we want to have the girls win matches … but the reality is if that’s the focus, we’re not going to get far. We just need to be
focused on executing our game plan and fundamentals.””

UA head coach Vicky Maes returns this week with her same duo from last weekend’s play in the Minor Invitational in El Paso, Texas.

Senior Camelia Todorova and freshman Jane Huh begin competition at the San Diego State Invitational today in San Diego. Like Ramirez, Maes aims for the players to execute specific game plans and tweak individual strategies.

“”It’s very early in the year, and we are working on changes that
will make the girls better players in the long run,”” Maes said.

Executing game plans in practice is far different than doing so
in match play that brings nervousness and pressure, Maes said.

“”The girls need to be able to overcome that,”” she said.

Last weekend in her NCAA debut, Huh bounced back from an early first-set blunder to defeat Ana Cecillia Trevino of Monterrey Tech 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Huh and Todorova finished third
place in their doubles flight after defeating Texas-El Paso’s
Weronika Bloczynska and Megan Pritchard 8-4.