April 9, 2008

Honolulu, HI (UWIRE) -- The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine tennis team will play host to NAIA No. 5 Azusa Pacific today, one year to the day from their last meeting, when the 'Bows prevailed 6-1.

The Rainbow Wahine enter the matches looking to extend their winning streak to two after defeating Hawai'i Pacific 5-2 last Wednesday. The 'Bows are coming off a 14- game slump and have a current win-loss record of 1-14. Azusa Pacific, meanwhile, enters the contest with a 15-2 record after coming off an emotional victory over the NAIA No. 3 Vanguard Lions.

But the real spotlight for the match will be on sophomore Sophie Kobuch, who is currently ranked No. 82 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, as she battles against the Cougars in a singles match.

"She's a good player, very coachable, and every day she comes out she's working hard and learning," head coach Jun Hernandez said.

While the matchups aren't decided until an hour before the match, a likely candidate to face Kobuch is Cougars senior Bay Daniels, who is currently ranked No. 14 in the NAIA. The Kobuch-Daniels matchup would be a rematch from last year, when the two squared off in a match that ended in a 6-3, 6-2 victory for Kobuch.

The Rainbow Wahine will continue their tough schedule against No. 17 Fresno State, No. 43 Saint Mary's, Eastern Washington and Idaho State in the upcoming weeks, while the Cougars will return home to face Master's College (7-9) on April 14 before heading to the Ojai Tournament.

Coach Hernandez isn't looking too far into the future, however, since Azusa Pacific "has always been competitive."

"They have a very good coach, and all of their kids are very well coached. ... We're looking forward to the match on Wednesday," Hernandez said.

The first serve between the 'Bows and the Cougars is set for 4 p.m. today at the UH Tennis Complex.