A 1-7 record may not be the best start to the season, but with more than half of their matches left and ill and injured players finally on the mend, the University of Washington women's tennis team is not ready to be counted out. After notching their first win of the season last weekend against Illinois, the women are eager to play more tennis.

"The win was really special for the team," said freshman Morgan Ramser, who made her college singles debut last weekend. "It gave us confidence for our next matches."

Coach Jill Hultquist was impressed by her team's ability to fight through adversity and come out winners.

"It was a great win, and the girls had to dig deep," she said. "The desire to win really showed."

The UW faces a stiff challenge in UCLA and USC, its opponents this weekend. UCLA is No. 15 in the International Tennis Association's latest rankings, and USC is No. 8. Both teams have strong rosters — particularly USC, which boasts five nationally ranked singles players, led by No. 12 Sarah Fansler, and four ranked doubles teams. UCLA also has a claim to fame in their coach, Stella Sampras Webster, sister of tennis legend Pete Sampras.

Tough competition is something the UW will have to get used to, as all but two of the teams they will face this season are ranked. Out of the nine teams in the Pac-10 conference (Oregon State doesn't have a tennis program), the University of Washington is the only one that is unranked.

"The tough schedule has been hurting us," Hultquist said. "It could have been easier, but with the Pac-10 conference so strong that's just the way it turned out. It's definitely a big challenge for the girls."

As formerly ill and injured players return to service for the UW, however, Hultquist believes her team has a fighting chance in every match.

"We've been struggling, but we're getting healthier," she said. "I'm not as worried about if players can finish their matches. We'll be in the hunt for more wins."

The UW will face UCLA at 12 p.m. on Friday and USC at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches will take place at Nordstrom Tennis Center. Admission is free, and free pizza and soda will be provided for fans.

Reach reporter Risa Pavia at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.