The UW women’s tennis team hopes to bounce back from a tough loss to the University of Oregon on Tuesday with a match against the University of Portland today in its last non-conference match of the season. Portland is one of the few unranked opponents that the UW women, also unranked, will face this season.

The Pilots (10-7) are coming off of a 1-2 performance through the Bay Area last weekend, losing to San Francisco (3-4) and Saint Mary’s (0-7), but knocking off Santa Clara (5-2).

The UW (2-13), meanwhile, is still struggling with health problems that have kept much of the team from playing at 100 percent.

“When I made the schedule last year, I thought that it wouldn’t be a problem if we had one or two injured players, because I would have other healthy players to put in the match,” coach Jill Hultquist said. “Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.”

Although the women’s team currently has eight players on their roster, two are unable to play due to injury and eligibility concerns, and nearly all of the remaining six are struggling with illness and injury themselves. In order to play a match, Washington must be able to field at least six players, meaning that even those who are not fully healthy must compete through the pain and hope not to injure themselves further.

Things are looking up for some of the women, however. Junior Mathilde Cor — a French native — started off the season unable to play due to mononucleosis. Since her return, she has played No. 1 singles and doubles for UW and has won four matches in a row at that position.

Freshman co-captain Joyce Ardies has also been performing well over the past couple of weeks, with victories in three of her last four matches. She is now 13-10 this season.

Ardies’ leadership has also proved key to the team’s chemistry, as the women work to remain positive in spite of all their setbacks.

“With so few healthy players, it’s been hard to get wins, but Joyce is naturally stepping up,” said assistant coach Fernando Sanchez.

The match against Portland will take place at noon today at Bill Quillian stadium, weather permitting. Free pizza and soda will be provided, and free parking is available for fans that tell the parking attendant they are attending the women’s tennis match.

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