Wildcat Wrap: Arizona men’s and women’s tennis get big wins on senior day

Editor’s note: With several sports going on, Wildcat Wrap serves as a recap that focuses on the Arizona programs that we do not have the time to cover on a regular basis but are certainly worthy of recognition.

The Arizona men’s and women’s tennis programs each ended their home schedule in style with senior day victories.

The No. 11 Arizona men swept BYU 4-0 on Saturday to move to 20-4 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12. The win marked Arizona’s fourth consecutive sweep over a conference opponent.

Colton Smith, the No. 4 ranked singles player, contributed to the win with a doubles victory followed by a straight set win in singles play. No. 5 Jay Friend continued his stellar season with a straight set singles victory as well.

Arizona concludes the regular season with a visit to rival ASU this coming Saturday. The Wildcats already beat the Sun Devils in Tempe once this year, a 4-0 sweep on March 1.

On Sunday the women’s tennis upset No. 37 TCU 4-1 to cap off senior day. No. 31 Arizona has taken down three top-50 ranked opponents in its last five matches.

The Wildcats did it the hard way, losing the doubles point and then sweeping singles play. No. 50 Josie Userau led the way with a comeback three-set win on the top court.

Arizona moved to 17-8 and 7-4 in Big 12 play with the win. The UA will hit the road to face Colorado on Friday and Texas Tech on Sunday to conclude the regular season.

Beach volleyball

Arizona beach volleyball hosted the Wildcat Spring Challenge over the weekend, splitting four matches. The Wildcats are now 16-9 on the season.

Arizona opened the invitational Friday with a 4-1 win over Utah followed by a 4-1 loss to ASU. Four of Arizona’s five points over Utah came in straight sets.

On Saturday, the Wildcats faced No. 1 ranked TCU and gave the Horned Frogs a tough match before falling 4-1. Arizona’s court 3 pair of Ashlyn Zilliken and Madeline Walker earned the Wildcats’ lone point.

All three of Arizona’s matches against Big 12 opponents counted as out of conference.

Arizona finished the event with a 3-2 victory over Pepperdine. The UA travels to Boise, Idaho this weekend to face Portland and Boise State on Sunday.

Men’s golf

Men’s golf got a head start on Masters week by competing at the Augusta Hawkins Invitational over the weekend, though the tournament was played at Forest Hills Golf Club, not Augusta National.

The Wildcats placed seventh out of 15 schools. Oklahoma State and Texas tied for the championship.

Arizona’s Zach Pollo led the team with a fifth-place finish, shooting a 5-under on the third and final round.

Arizona returns to action next week when it plays at the Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz from April 14-16. The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel.