The University of Hawai'i women's tennis team heads to Northern California this weekend for a four-match roadtrip. The Rainbow Wahine will face San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 21, Sacramento State on Tuesday, Feb. 23, Stanford on Wednesday, Feb. 24 and Santa Clara on Friday, Feb. 26.

 

The Rainbow Wahine (1-5) will be more than ready to face its Nor Cal opponents after a little more than a week's rest since concluding a four-match Southern California road trip against San Diego State on Feb. 11. UH is on a three-match losing streak with their last two losses coming against ranked squads. In all, four of UH's five losses this year have come against nationally ranked teams.

 

This road trip will possess a similar challenge for the Rainbow Wahine, who are facing two nationally ranked opponents in No. 8 Stanford and No. 59 Sacramento State. Stanford boasts two nationally ranked singles players in the top 20—No. 16 Mallory Burdette and No. 18 Hilary Barte. The pair are also ranked No. 2 in the nation for doubles play. Sacramento State has a nationally ranked player as well, No. 26 Katrina Zheltova.

 

The Rainbow Wahine will rely on lone senior Sophie Kobuch, a two-time all-Western Athletic Conference selection. Kobuch has won 45 career singles matches, is 3-2 in dual matches so far this season and is coming off a singles win against nationally ranked San Diego State last week.

 

Meanwhile, Slovakian newcomers Katarina Poljakova and Barbara Pinterova will also be instrumental in helping the Rainbow Wahine gain their first victory since Feb. 7 against Cal State Fullerton. Pinterova, a sophomore transfer from the University of Florida, is off to a great start in this season with a record of 4-2 in singles and 3-3 in doubles. Her Slovakian counterpart, Poljakova, is also starting off well this season with a 2-1 record and is coming off a big singles win against nationally ranked San Diego State last week.