Battling back after losing the first set hasn’t been the
major problem for the UCLA women’s tennis team. Sustaining
the energy to pull out the third set has.
In their 5-2 loss to USC on Wednesday, the Bruins lost all three
three-set matches. They are now 5-10 in three-set matches for their
five losses. But recovering from matches has limited the Bruins
ability to work on conditioning in practice.
“It’s hard because they’re still tired (the
next day),” coach Stella Sampras Webster said. “We
can’t break them down too much.”
INJURY UPDATE: Daniela Bercek, who did not play
singles against the Trojans, remains day-to-day. The freshman is
undefeated in dual matches this season, aside from the Pepperdine
match in which she was forced to retire because of her foot
injury.
“The sooner she’s back, the better,” Sampras
Webster said. “She just wasn’t ready to play singles
against ‘SC.”
Sophomores Shilpa Joshi and Nina Yaftali have taken turns
filling in during Bercek’s two-game absence, both losing
matches at the No. 6 position. Regardless of her singles status,
Bercek will still be available for doubles. In the Bruins’
loss to the Trojans, she and Sarah Gregg lost to Anca Anastasiu and
Dianne Matias 8-3.
UPCOMING MATCH: The Bruins will look to end
their two-game losing skid while evening up their Pac-10 record
(0-1) at home tomorrow against No. 23 Oregon. The Bruins beat the
Ducks 5-2 last season in Eugene.
“They’re much tougher than last year,” Sampras
Webster said. “They have a new player in at No. 2, and
everyone else is back.”