At least they can take the same plane home together. That is the
small token of consolation senior Sara Walker and freshman Jackie
Carleton can take with them after they both lost in straight sets
in the second round at the NCAA singles championships in
Gainesville, Fla. on Tuesday.
With the Bruin players ranked higher in both matches, the early
round losses were unexpected. Walker, ranked 12th nationally, lost
to 59th-ranked Tammy Encina of Tennessee 6-3, 6-1, and the
20th-ranked Carleton lost to 33rd-ranked Julie Smekodub 6-4,
7-5.
Carleton had her chances, but like the men’s team just one
day earlier, she fell just short. She had the opportunity to even
the match at one set all, leading 5-3 in the second set, but
Smekodub came back to win the next four games.
“There were really close games with lots of deuces,”
Carleton said. “I was dictating the points, but wasn’t
capitalizing on them. I didn’t close out points, games or
sets.”
Nevertheless, Carleton was pleased with the season overall.
“I made All-American and got to play in the NCAAs,”
the freshman said. “It’s been a very good experience
and next year I’ll hopefully come out even
stronger.”
Walker, on the other hand, will not have a chance to redeem
herself next year. After falling to Encina, whom Carleton had
thrashed 6-0, 6-2 earlier in the season, the senior’s career
at UCLA is over. The four-time All-American leaves UCLA with an
overall record of 123-45.