When the season began, UCLA women’s tennis coach Stella
Sampras Webster knew her team’s success would hinge upon
whether the Bruins could field a reliable doubles lineup.
So far, so good. Heading into their match against USC in the
third round of the NCAA Tournament, the Bruins’ doubles play
has become the backbone of their attack.
“We’ve made some changes throughout the
season,” Sampras Webster said. “Now that they know who
they’re playing with, they are working better together. They
know their partners better now.”
For Sampras Webster, the team’s No. 1 doubles spot was
never in question, as Riza Zalameda and Daniela Bercek were ranked
as high as second in the nation during the season and are currently
ranked fourth.
But the second and third doubles teams were an area of concern
early in the season. Over their first five matches, Sampras Webster
used three different doubles lineups, partly to figure out which
teams worked out best and partly because of injuries.
Now, however, the doubles lineup looks to be set in stone with
Alex McGoodwin and Laura Gordon in the No. 2 slot, while Sarah
Gregg and Tracy Lin hold down the third position.
The results are undeniable: The Bruins have won 10 of 11 matches
and have won the doubles point in all but one of those
victories.
“I think at this point, we have found the right
teams,” said McGoodwin, who has seen action in both the No. 1
and No. 2 doubles courts.
“We’re all pretty comfortable with each other. We
worked up to this point all year, now we just have to go out and
execute.”
McGoodwin teamed with Gordon midway through the season and the
pair have not split since, compiling a respectable 9-3 record.
“We were kind of up-and-down at first,” McGoodwin
said. “We had a couple of bad matches and a couple really
good matches, but right now we both feel that we are playing really
well.”
As for the third doubles team, after being shuffled around
during the season due to injuries, Gregg and Lin have solidified
the back end of the lineup.
The stability of the doubles teams has been vital to the
Bruins’ second-half run, allowing the team to carry a great
deal of momentum to Athens, Ga., for their match with the
Trojans.
“We know what we need to do,” Sampras Webster said.
“I think we know our strengths and weaknesses now, and we are
working together more as a team than individuals out
there.”