During a Monday practice, yells of “Go Bruins!” punctuated each conditioning run, volley winner and team huddle. Practicing for a Wednesday matchup against No. 3 USC (10-1), No. 12 UCLA (8-2) straddled the line between focused intensity and relaxed play with laughter, encouragement and cheers.
With the team slowly returning from injury, the Bruins said players are determined to give as much as they can with what they have, especially when playing their crosstown rivals.
Senior Robin Anderson said although she struggled in her return to singles against Pepperdine and during practice Monday, she will be ready to play on Wednesday regardless of her form.
“If I’m struggling, I’m giving 100 percent of what I have,” Anderson said. “I want to stay on the court to let them know I’m fighting just as hard as they are.”
After barely getting by the upset-minded Pepperdine Waves in Malibu who’ve claimed the Texas Longhorns and TCU Horned Frogs as victims prior to the matchup, the Bruins said that they can’t come out flat against the Trojans.
“They all know what’s at stake,” said coach Stella Sampras Webster. “We never want to lose to USC, but ultimately it’s a tennis match. I expect them to come fired up with lots of energy, particularly in doubles.”
Playing against their sparring partners, the freshman tandem of Kristin Wiley and Terri Fleming honed in on their team chemistry and communication to prepare to battle USC’s top-ranked doubles teams.
“We’re coming out with energy,” Fleming said. “It’s more intense, but we need to come out against ‘SC with positivity.”
On and off the court, the Bruins said they continue to emphasize controlling their emotions, especially against the Trojans – not being too amped up and not being too nonchalant, but aiming for the middle, where their best tennis is.
UCLA next travels to Waco, Texas, to face its last nonconference opponent, No. 4 Baylor (12-2), before starting Pac-12 play. The Bears have steadily climbed the rankings with a lineup featuring four singles players in the top 100. After making it to the Sweet 16 last year, Baylor will host the NCAA championships this year. The Bruins will get a chance to familiarize themselves with Waco and Baylor’s atmosphere before returning to defend their championship in May.