After four years of competing for Arizona, two Wildcats are entering the last regular season home matches of their collegiate careers. Seniors Daniel Andrus and Roger Matalonga, a captain, will play their last match for the team at home on Sunday.
The duo will be joined by January transfer senior Jeff Groslimond, who came to the Wildcats from Florida State.
“”The four years have gone by very fast. It’s been unbelievable,”” Matalonga said. “”It will be a good weekend if we win.””
At 1:30 this afternoon, the No. 39 Wildcats (10-6, 1-1 Pacific 10 Conference) will play host to Oregon (6-12, 0-2), a team that has lost its last four matches, before facing No. 33 Washington (13-4, 0-1) at noon on Sunday at the Robson Tennis Center.
The Wildcats enter this weekend after going 1-1 last weekend against No. 11 UCLA and No. 53 Southern California, who they beat for only the second time in school history.
“”The guys are excited even though it’s probably a little bittersweet for the seniors,”” Arizona head coach Tad Berkowitz said.
Unfortunately for him, Andrus hasn’t been able to contribute as much as he had hoped, battling an injury throughout most of the season. He has only been able to compete in four matches, posting a 3-1 record, but is still day-to-day, according to Berkowitz.
Both Matalonga and Groslimond have been honored by the conference for their valiant efforts on the court this season. No. 43 Matalonga has been named Pac-10 Player of the Week twice this season, while Groslimond has been honored once.
“”I never expected to get some of the experiences, and I can’t complain because I’ve had good friends and good teammates,”” Matalonga said. “”But I feel like it’s my time to go and let the other guys get new leaders.””