With a late start in the weekend, the Arizona men’s tennis team won its first match yesterday against Minnesota.

The Wildcats came out strong, never letting their opponents believe they would back down. The outcome reflected this confidence with a 6-1 victory over the Golden Gophers. With another win under their belt, the Wildcats are now 7-1.

The squad struck its first doubles point and then quickly moved on to singles play.

Sophomore Ravid Hazi stepped up to the plate in his solo match-up, crushing his opponent 6-1, 6-1.

“”I’m glad I got my job done and took the win,”” Hazi said. “”We have all been playing great and fighting hard as a team, but there are many matches still ahead of us.””

Another match that stood out was with UA freshman Andres Carrasco when he beat his challenger 6-3, 6-2.

Carrasco said that he has been getting more confident and playing better. But he and his teammates are aware that today’s match against San Diego State University will be a tough one. The match will be held at the Robson Tennis Center at noon.

UA head coach Tad Berkowitz is keeping his eyes on the prize by anticipating his team’s consistency.

“”We need to come out with the same intensity (today) as we have the past couple of weeks,”” Berkowitz said.

“”(San Diego State) is a very good team,”” Carrasco said. “”And I think (today) will be a serious test that will make us a dangerous team in the (Pacific 10 Conference). It’s also a great opportunity to keep growing as a team.””

The early-week matches seem like they should have an effect on the Wildcats but the players said it doesn’t change a thing
for them.

“”I guess it’s weird to play on a Sunday and Monday,”” Hazi said. “”But it’s the same preparation and the same thing. Every match, we’re getting more confident and coming together, so it won’t affect our playing level. We try to always be aware and ready, no matter what.””

W-tennis drops pair after rain delay

Tucson weather has been confusing many as they put on jackets and scarves one day, then shorts and tank tops the next. Likewise, the Arizona women’s tennis team (5-3) had its ups and downs when it lost to both Sacramento State (1-5) and Long Beach State (0-6) this weekend.

The match against Long Beach was rained out Friday, leaving Sacramento State as Arizona’s first opponent Saturday.

Arizona’s Claire Rietsch managed to win her team’s only set on the No. 2 court, 7-5, 6-2.

The rescheduled match against Long Beach State took place yesterday. The Wildcats came out with high ambitions but couldn’t get close enough to grab the win.

Arizona sophomore Katie Orletsky seemingly was on the road to capture her opponent in the No. 6 spot, easily winning the first game, 6-1, but the next two were a different story as Orletsky’s opponent won 6-3, 6-4.

“”Starting in the second (game my opponent) started being more aggressive with her backhand,”” Orletsky said. “”I stopped being so aggressive and played more into her game.””

Players said they could have won the matches, but they just didn’t do what they needed to on the key points.

The women also said UA head coach Vicky Maes was happy with the way they fought with their hearts and the amount of effort they put forth.

“”(Maes) along with most of us, I think, are just frustrated with our close matches,”” Orletsky said. “”I really hope we can start converting our opportunities to wins.””