Team spirit and confidence remain key factors in helping the No. 58 women’s tennis team succeed.
After defeating No. 49 Denver (3-3) yesterday and Cal Poly (3-2) on Saturday, both by scores of 6-1, the Arizona women’s tennis team (7-0) is tied for its best start since 1985. Only the 1997 squad has started that well since then.
“”Everybody competed their hearts out,”” freshman co-captain Danielle Steinberg said.
After strong play in doubles yesterday, the team continued to fight in singles. Steinberg started off the winning trend by finishing her match in only 25 minutes with a score of 6-0, 6-0.
“”I was in the zone today,”” Steinberg said. “”I played so good and everything happened, one of those days that everything clicked.””
Arizona head coach Vicky Maes said the style of play that Steinberg brings to the team is no surprise to her.
“”She’s playing and cruising through her matches,”” Maes said. “”She’s not only winning but completely dominating, and it’s driving her opponents nuts.””
The Wildcats swept Denver in doubles. Senior Stephanie Balzert paired with sophomore Juliette Mavroleon to continue their winning streak.
“”Trusting each other is the key,”” Mavroleon said. “”We both have stuff that we do well and good communication is pretty much the key in (doubles). We’ve been really good at understanding what we want do together against the other team and getting the teams to play at our strengths.””
Both players having aggressive styles of play equals great on-court chemistry, Balzert said.
Juniors Kasia Jakowlew and Jessie Rochefort competed in doubles together for a change in the lineup at the No. 3 spot. The change came after Jakowlew and senior Iza Ferriera lost 8-6 on Saturday to Cal Poly junior Carol Erickson and freshman Shannon Brady.
In order to gain more strength at the No. 3 spot in doubles, Maes said change is needed when appropriate.
“”I’ve never had a year of coaching where I could go in the team room after every single match and say great job no matter what happened,”” Maes said. “”It’s the way that we win that I’m excited about, playing hard and competing hard.””
Mavroleon said the team did well this weekend.
“”We put on a great group effort from working hard together at practices,”” she said. “”Our team spirit being as high as it is, I think we are going to do a lot of damage … if not damage, make it a lot harder for teams to beat us.””
