Friday, February 28, 1997
W. TENNIS:
Team ready to face weekend matches vs. Boise State, LoyolaBy
Christie DeBeau
Daily Bruin Contributor
After weeks of travelling, the UCLA women’s tennis team can
finally settle in at home. Today at 1:30 p.m., the Bruins will
begin a four-match home stand at the LATC, competing against No. 22
Boise State. Following that match, the Bruins play again on
Saturday at noon, facing 59th-ranked Loyola Marymount.
Returning from the USTA/ITA Women’s National Indoor Collegiate
Team Championships in Madison, where they tied for fifth, the
Bruins are well-prepared and confident for the upcoming
matches.
"The team is getting better and better. They’re very eager, and
they love to compete," UCLA head coach Stella Sampras said. "The
players got the feel of what college tennis is about  the
spirit, the intensity, the hard work. It was a positive trip. We
got to see where we stand. I’m pleased with how we came back after
Duke to beat Pepperdine and get a little revenge."
The Bruins posted a 4-2 win over Pepperdine Sunday, avenging a
heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the eighth-ranked Waves earlier this
season.
With two matches this weekend, UCLA does not have much time to
bask in the glory of victory. The Bruins’ upcoming matches are
important, and they need to stay focused.
"Every match is important, (so) the players need to take them
one at a time," Sampras said. "They need to continue to play their
game and be up for the matches because these teams are out to get
us. We need to be ready to start competing again."
Fatigue seems to be the biggest obstacle that UCLA will face in
the matches ahead.
"A lot of us are a little tired after a long week, but I feel
the team will be ready to play and will get more prepared for
Arizona and ASU next week," Sampras said.