When the men’s tennis team makes its trip to Albuquerque, N.M., this weekend, it will be competing again after taking last weekend off.

That’s nothing compared to Jason Labrosse’s nine-month hiatus.

The No. 61 Wildcats (1-1) travel to New Mexico to take on No. 63 Nebraska (1-1) tomorrow at 1 p.m. and No. 73 New Mexico (1-1) Sunday at 11 a.m., and for the first time this season, Labrosse, a junior, will be in the lineup.

Labrosse missed the entire fall season with a sore back and has not played a match since the NCAA Tournament last May.

Labrosse played at the No. 5 singles spot last season, but as of yesterday, UA head coach Tad Berkowitz had yet to decide where he’ll fit him in for the weekend’s matches.

“”It will probably take him a little time to get back into the flow of things,”” Berkowitz said. “”But he’s a good emotional leader for us, so I think he’s definitely going to help us this weekend.””

Although the pain is mostly gone for Labrosse, he said he is still dealing with some discomfort.

“”Pain-wise, it still bothers me, but not like it used to,”” Labrosse said. “”I’ve been doing everything that I could before, so I’m feeling pretty confident.””

The rest of the team is coming off a week-and-a-half break after a 4-1 loss to St. Mary’s on Jan. 15.

The Wildcats have fared well against the Lobos recently, beating them 6-1 last season with much of the current roster.

– Bobby Stover