Bruins’ growl meets Lobos’ howl on courts
Montgomery’s out, Muskatirovic’s in for today’s matchup
By Mark Shapiro
Daily Bruin Contributor
After a week’s hiatus from dual match play and a grueling
weekend tournament, the undefeated UCLA men’s tennis team takes the
court today to face the 15th-ranked University of New Mexico.
The No. 2 Bruins are riding a four-match winning streak into the
contest, but will face their highest-ranked opponent thus far today
at 1:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
"I think they’re a good team," UCLA head coach Billy Martin
said. "Their returning guys are pretty strong and they are a
hard-fighting team and they are going to be pretty strong down the
line."
To say that seniors Tad Berkowitz and Chris Treibly lead the
Lobos on the court from their one and two positions, respectively,
is a bit of a stretch, considering that they have yet to post a
single victory in a dual match this year. Coming into today’s
match, they are both 0-2.
However, the Lobos defeated ninth-ranked University of South
Alabama earlier this year.
Even with this ranking and early-season victory, UNM is not the
kind of team that is striking fear into the hearts of the
Bruins.
"We’re probably the strongest against most teams at number two
and three," Martin said. "At four, five and six, we should be able
to hold our own. I want us to be relaxed, I don’t think it will do
us any good to be uptight and worry about an opponent that I think
we should beat."
The Bruins’ lineup will be similar to those they have fielded
thus far, with one exception. Senior Heath Montgomery has been
relegated to spectator status by a ankle injury he suffered over
the weekend. In his stead will be freshman Brandon Kramer, who is
1-0 in his first campaign.
***
Bruin Eric Taino made the biggest dent in the draw at last
weekend’s Palm Springs Invitational, advancing all the way to the
quarterfinals where he came up against a Hill too steep to climb.
Cal’s No. 1, Michael Hill, that is.
Before losing, Taino cruised through his early matches, taking
out two touring pros in the process.
"I won matches that I had to win easily," Taino said. "When it
came to a tough match I wasn’t able to keep that same level. I
thought that I competed well, I didn’t play well enough to beat
(Hill). I know that it will come, I just need to play matches."
***
The Bruin’s No. 2, Srdjan Muskatirovic, was forced to miss the
Palm Springs tournament all together due to some trouble with his
right shoulder that flared up in the dual match against Boise
State.
"There was no sense in trying to risk it," Martin said. "There
was no need for him to push it and risk us losing him. It was a
smart decision on his part."
After taking a few days to convalesce, Muskatirovic will be back
at full strength for today’s match.
SCOTT O/Daily Bruin
Bruins No. 2 Srdjan Muskatirovic nursed an injury last weekend
in Palm Springs, but will play today against New Mexico at the Los
Angeles Tennis Center.
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