Cold weather, strong winds and high altitudes.
The women’s tennis team has never been accustomed to these conditions, as it is typically warm and sunny at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. But the Bruins will have to endure the unfamiliar climate change when they journey to Colorado and Utah this weekend for what will be their longest road trip of the regular season.
The weather may force matches to be played indoors, but as of now, UCLA will compete outdoors against each Pac-12 opponent.
The circumstances in Boulder and Salt Lake City – each city sits more than 4,000 feet above sea level – will affect UCLA’s game plan heading into each contest.
“The balls fly a lot more, so (players are) going to want to go a little tighter in their rackets just to have some extra control,” said coach Stella Sampras Webster. “We are going to have to make adjustments and just get acclimated really quick and understand what the altitude does.”
Since Colorado (6-11, 1-5) and Utah (10-8, 1-5) joined the Pac-12 in 2011, No. 20 UCLA (11-4, 3-1) has had two excursions eastward into the mountainous areas of the two schools. The Bruins have yet to be fazed by the 2,000-plus mile expedition, as they garnered a 4-0 record and outscored the Buffaloes and Utes 20-3 combined during the trips in 2011 and 2013.
But this year’s squad faces an immense amount of pressure to continue the trend.
UCLA must win the two matches to remain in contention for the one of 16 spots to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in May. As of now, the Bruins are on the cusp of obtaining one of these positions because of their strong record, top-20 ranking and formidable strength of schedule.
While players are aware of the importance and advantages that come with playing host for the first two matches of the tournament – UCLA owns a 10-3 home record this season – they are more focused on finishing the regular season on a high note.
“We aren’t really thinking about whether we’re gonna host or not, we leave that up to the coaches,” said senior Kyle McPhillips. “But if we have to travel, we’ve traveled a lot for indoors and we played dual matches in other places so we’d just treat it like any other away match.”
In each of the last two matches, UCLA has had to come from behind to secure victories. This is due in part to the Bruins’ doubles woes, which have been lingering problems for the team throughout most of the season.
The team has failed to receive the doubles point in three straight matches and has an 8-15 record on courts two and three combined.
“We need some more on-court time and (have to) get the chemistry going,” said sophomore Terri Fleming. “Doubles (play) is hard because it is only six games and no advantage, so anything can happen. But I feel like as long as we get two of the teams going early, we can capitalize on the doubles points.”
The Bruins may alter the doubles pairs this weekend, especially with the addition of sophomore Maia Magill back into the lineup, Sampras Webster said. Magill has been sidelined for more than a month with an undisclosed foot injury.
“She hasn’t played a whole lot, so it is going to take some time for her to get into form,” Sampras Webster said. “But I think we are going to try and mix things up a little bit this weekend and see what happens.”