Jan. 21, 2002

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State tennis team opens its 27th year of competition when it plays three ranked opponents in dual matches at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz., this weekend.

K-State plays No. 52 Arizona on Friday at 11 a.m., No. 58 New Mexico on Saturday at 11 a.m. and No. 53 San Diego on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Here's a look at Kansas State and its competition:

KANSAS STATE
The 52nd-ranked Kansas State Wildcats return five letterwinners from last year's team that finished No. 55 in the final ITA poll with a 12-10 overall record and 7-4 Big 12 mark.

Senior Alena Jecminkova is K-State's No. 1 singles player and ranked No. 70 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason rankings. Additionally, Jecminkova and freshman Andrea Cooper are K-State's top doubles team and enter the 2002 season ranked 58th in the ITA rankings.

ARIZONA
The Arizona Wildcats finished 6-14 last season and have two ranked players. Sophomore Debbie Larocque is ranked No. 54, while freshman Maja Mlakar is No. 89. The doubles team of Larocque and senior Laresa Marino are ranked No. 40.

Arizona leads the all-time series with Kansas State, 3-0. The teams last met on Jan. 23, 2000, in Tucson with Arizona winning, 8-1.

NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Lobos were 16-9 last year and are 1-0 this season after beating Northern Arizona, 7-0 on Sunday. New Mexico leads the all-time series with K-State, 6-1. The Lobos beat the Wildcats 4-3 last year in Albuquerque.

SAN DIEGO
The Azetcs finished the 2001 season with a 13-9 record. The all-time series is tied at 1-1 with Kansas State winning the last meeting, 5-4, on Jan. 21, 2001 in Tucson.