Putting passion, preparation in play

The few people who were around after the UCLA women’s tennis practice on Monday afternoon were treated to an impromptu match between two of the Bruins’ best.

Junior Riza Zalameda and freshman Yasmin Schnack dueled in the flickering shadows of the afternoon sun as coach Stella Sampras Webster and a few players looked on.

“I didn’t tell them to play. This is just them being competitive,” Sampras Webster said.

Competitive may have been an understatement.

As the match progressed, the intensity level grew, with Zalameda’s power being countered by Schnack’s calm finesse. Zalameda danced, hopped and lunged her way around the court, zipping her serves with devastating accuracy, muttering angrily with each point lost. Schnack returned each ball coolly, reared up and smashed one forehand after another down the lines.

Coach Sampras Webster hopes for the same kind of passionate play when the UC Irvine Anteaters invade Westwood for a match with the No. 15 Bruins. Irvine (5-1) comes into the match riding the momentum of consecutive sweeps in their last two matches against San Diego State and Hawai’i. UCLA also swept Hawai’i earlier in the season.

“Their No. 1 player is good. We play them almost every year, and each time they have put some good teams together,” Sampras Webster said.

The Anteaters are led by two-time defending Big West Player of the Week Becky Bernhard, who has beaten two top-75 players in the last two weeks. Because the Bruins (4-2) face two tough tests this weekend, with matches at Cal and Stanford, there is some concern that UCLA might be caught looking past tomorrow’s opponent. According to freshman Stephanie Wetmore, that won’t be a problem.

“It’s important to play point by point and not look ahead, or you lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish,” Wetmore said.

Coach Sampras Webster said that her team was focused on Irvine, and showed confidence in UCLA’s prospects tomorrow.

“I feel good about our team going in, dominating like we should,” she said. “Everyone is always excited to compete.”

Sampras Webster also raised the possibility of further changes is her lineup. On Friday against Fresno State, she put Schnack at the No. 3 spot, moving Tracy Lin up to the second position. Both players responded with impressive victories.

“I was impressed with how Tracy played in winning a tough match. Yasmin was very excited to get her first home win.”

There is, as always, room for improvement, but Sampras Webster’s younger players are beginning to mature as the season progresses.

“Yasmin is feeling more comfortable. She needs to be brave and use her volley,” Sampras Webster said.

Wetmore also is feeling more comfortable as a Bruin. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wetmore admitted to experiencing growing pains during the fall season, but has adapted to both collegiate life and the level of tennis, all while leaning on her veteran teammates for support.

“I think our team strength and support gives us an advantage over our opponents,” Wetmore said. “It’s nice to have the extra support.”

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