UCLA tennis teams starting to solidify lineups
Players compete for lineup spots as fall concludes
By Chris Isidro
The fall tennis schedule, while it won’t even be a memory when
the dual matches heat up, sorted a few things out for the UCLA
men’s tennis team.
The early tournaments provided a stage for Bruins who wanted to
prove they belonged higher up on the ladder. Sophomore Eric Lin and
junior Heath Montgomery made the most of their opportunities,
hoping they emerge from the shuffle between the third and sixth
positions.
"Montgomery and Lin were the two players who improved the most
upon their games and it showed in their results," head coach Billy
Martin said.
Lin, who played mostly No.6 singles last season, defeated two
seeded players en route to a third round and quarterfinal
appearance in the two fall tournaments the Bruins entered.
Montgomery, No. 5 on last year’s ladder, reached the quarterfinals
in both tournaments and gave teammate Robert Janecek a difficult
time in their match at the Rolex Invitational, taking him to three
sets.
While the fall tourneys gave Martin some clues on how to shape
the lineup, nothing is solidified. Two more tournaments loom on the
horizon, giving Loren Peters and Rae Cho another opportunity to
show their mettle. With recruiting for the Winter Quarter still in
progress, the Bruins may have additional weapons at their disposal
come January.
"The dual matches don’t start until February, and I don’t really
have to make a decision until then," Martin said. "But the fall
schedule helped sort out the ladder."
* * *
The women’s team built a great deal of momentum for the season
ahead, notching victories in their two fall tournaments.
Keri Phebus continued to prove last season’s run to the NCAA
finals was no fluke, reaching the finals in both tournaments. At
the All-American Tournament, she cruised by an elite field,
toppling No. 1 ranked Lucie Ludvigova of Texas in the
semifinals.
Jane Chi made her case for the top-spot on the Bruin team
getting to the semifinals at the All-American and claiming the
title at the Rolex Invitational after defeating Phebus in straight
sets.
The true strength of the team, however, may lie at the bottom
positions. Battle-tested veterans Paige Yaroshuk and Susie
Starrett, who have both sparkled in preseason play, will anchor the
middle of the lineup while Stephanie Chi and Anicia Mendez round
out the starters.