Hockey team to play Weber State this weekend
The No. 23 Arizona hockey team takes on the Wildcats of Weber State at the Tucson Convention Center Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The UA will look to get over .500 for the first time this season, and ACHA Division II Weber State should provide a great opportunity to do just that.
Although Arizona struggled during the start of the season, going 1-3-1 against all ranked opponents on the road, it has picked up its performance lately. The team split a road series against No. 8 Iowa State and then returned home to outscore Division II Texas by a combined score of 26-0 during its first series of the season at the TCC.
While head coach Sean Hogan said Weber State should be more competitive, the team still feels confident going into the series.
Weber State is 4-7-0 on the season with 6-2 and 4-1 losses to future Arizona opponent Colorado State, a team currently unranked in the ACHA Division I.
During the Texas series, Hogan was able to get the entire team playing time, with the lone exception being freshman goalkeeper Bob Schultz.
This weekend Shultz will get his first start of the season and of his collegiate career.
If the UA wants to fulfill its preseason goal of returning to the national tournament after several years of missing out, this is a series that’s a must-win.
— Kyle Johnson
Swim coach Hansen faces old squad
They’ve had an extra week to prepare, and today at 2 p.m. at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, the Arizona men’s and women’s swim team will take on the Wisconsin Badgers. It’s the first big meet for head coach Eric Hansen, who’s in his first season at Arizona after spending 12 years coaching the Badgers.
“We’ve put in a good week of training last week, and then we’ve been using this week to prepare for not only Wisconsin, but also for USC and ASU,” said associate head coach Geoff Hanson. “We need sharper details, starts and turns. We’ve been working on that stuff, and we need to take a step forward.”
Taking a step forward will be a tough task against Wisconsin, whose women’s squad was ranked 17th in the end of the season poll, while Arizona was ranked 10th.
For the men, senior Cory Chitwood realizes the road will be a tough one as well, but he expects great things from his team.
“I want to see some energy from our team,” he said. “We’ve been very specific in practice, and I want to see everyone jumping in the pool like it’s their last race.”
On Saturday, the Arizona men’s and women’s diving teams will be one of nine schools competing in the USC Invitational in Los Angeles. Seniors Ainsley Oliver and Ben Grado, who have five first-place finishes in three meets thus far, will lead the way for the Wildcats.
— Cameron Moon
W-tennis wants redemption at Memphis Invitational
After coming off disappointing losses in the ITA Regional Championships, the Arizona women’s tennis team will compete in the Memphis Invitational this weekend. Play will begin today and last through Sunday.
Seniors Natasha Marks and Debora Castany, sophomores Lacey Smyth, Kim Stubbe, Susan Mc Rann, and freshman Hailey Johnson will travel to compete in Memphis.
As all the ladies will compete in singles play, Marks and Stubbe will pair up to play as one doubles team, while Mc Rann and Johnson will form the other doubles team.
“We’re excited to compete with teams outside of our conference,” said head coach Vicky Maes. “It is excellent preparation for our spring season, when chances are high we will face some of these teams.”
The Wildcats’ competition includes tournament host Memphis, Mississippi, Tulsa, Arkansas and Alabama.
All matches will be held at Racquet Club of Memphis.
— Iman Hamdan