Top matchups to watch in 2017

It’s almost a wrap for fall sports, but there are plenty more teams and games on the horizon. From gymnastics at Pauley Pavilion to women’s water polo at Spieker Aquatics Center and tennis at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, the Bruins will compete against the top teams in the country in bids to win national championships. Here are some of the top games to watch next quarter.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
(Daily Bruin file photo)

Men’s volleyball
UCLA vs. Ohio State

The Buckeyes, who edged the Bruins in five sets in last years’ national semifinals, are the reigning NCAA champions. They’ll have AVCA National Player of the Year junior outside hitter Nicolas Szerszen back along with senior opposite Miles Johnson, last year’s NCAA Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. UCLA coach John Speraw’s squad will be looking to avenge that close semifinal loss where the Bruins failed to convert on match point in the deciding set.

Women’s water polo
UCLA vs. Stanford
USC might be the crosstown rival, but in the pool, Stanford might be the one to beat in women’s water polo this year. The Cardinal and the Bruins sent a handful of athletes to train for the 2016 Olympics, but they’re all back, a few with some hardware from Rio. Stanford will have gold-medalists senior Maggie Steffens and freshman Makenzie Fischer while their fellow national teammates redshirt senior Rachel Fattal and freshman Maddie Musselman will suit up for UCLA in a matchup with national title implications.

(Daily Bruin file photo)
(Daily Bruin file photo)

Gymnastics
UCLA vs. Oklahoma
The Bruins and Sooners have been the standard champions in women’s gymnastics, collecting eight national titles between them. When they face off this year, they’ll have the usual core of their teams, as well as several key freshmen. Oklahoma has freshman Maggie Nichols and sophomore Brenna Dowell, who both won gold medals at the 2015 world championships and nearly made the cut for the 2016 Olympics. But UCLA, the first college team to have an Olympic gold medalist on the roster, have freshmen Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian, both with plenty of international experience. Both women won Olympic team gold medals in 2012 and 2016 respectively while Kocian also earned an individual silver medal on the uneven bars in Rio this year. With skilled athletes and creative coaches on both sidelines, this meet brings together a who’s-who of college gymnastics.

Women’s tennis
UCLA vs. Stanford
It’s a rebuilding year for UCLA after the graduation of Cat Harrison and Kyle McPhillips. Sophomore Alaina Miller has a year of experience under her belt, and the Bruins will reload with freshman Ena Shibahara and redshirt freshman Jada Hart, who combined to win the US Open Junior Tennis Championships in girls doubles. The biggest test and match for coach Stella Sampras Webster’s young team will be matching the Stanford Cardinal, the reigning NCAA champions. A pair of seniors, a standout freshman and some solid sophomores will go head-to-head with the Bruins in a match that could likely decide the Pac-12 champion.

Men’s tennis
UCLA vs. USC
The Bruins and Trojans are arguably two of the best tennis programs in the country, especially on the men’s side. They’ve combined to win 37 of 73 NCAA titles and have produced dozens of All-Americans between them. Every matchup comes down to the wire between these powerhouses with the duel set for 2017 to be no exception. Expect the match to be a prelude to their fourth straight meeting in the Pac-12 tournament this spring.

(Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
(Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Beach volleyball
UCLA vs. USC
USC has dominated the newest NCAA sport for the last few years, especially behind the play of seniors Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes. The All-Americans are back and will challenge UCLA’s young, growing team once again. The Bruins dropped the first game to the Trojans 5-0, but nearly came up with the upset in the second game before losing 3-2. If UCLA wants to play for a national title, the tough road will force them to get through USC.

Softball
UCLA vs. Florida
The UCLA and Arizona softball rivalry is legendary, but it’s the visiting Florida team that will be a big game for the Bruins this year. The Gators have won two of the last three national championships and were the top-ranked team for most of last year. Their star catcher Aubree Munro has graduated along with infielder Kelsey Stewart, but Florida will bring their depth against UCLA, a program with an NCAA-best 11 titles, but none since 2010.

Baseball
UCLA vs. Texas
In a bounce-back season, every game is equally as important. But the big name on the UCLA baseball team’s schedule this year is Texas. The Longhorns, who expressed interest in hiring UCLA coach John Savage in June, have a new head coach at the helm of their storied program, but should still challenge the young Bruins team this spring. The early season series could set the tone for either program as they each battle to make the College World Series in June.

(Michael Zshornack/Assistant photo editor)
(Michael Zshornack/Assistant Photo editor)

Men’s basketball
UCLA vs. Arizona
There’s not much to say when these two Pac-12 powerhouses clash. Last year, then-junior Bryce Alford scored a buzzer-beater to clinch the win over Arizona. And whenever these two teams get together, there’s always more than enough drama to power them. Freshman forward TJ Leaf was a one-time Arizona recruit, ready to play for Wildcat coach Sean Miller before decommitting and coming to coach Steve Alford’s Bruins instead. With star freshmen on both sides of the court, both games between UCLA and Arizona are sure to be stuffed with highlight moments and big plays.

Women’s basketball
UCLA vs. South Carolina
Two of the top women’s basketball teams are looking to take the next step in elevating their programs. For the Bruins, that means coming out with a win against one of the top-three teams in the country after dropping multiple close games last year. UCLA took South Carolina down to the wire in Pauley Pavilion before losing 68-65. They followed up that close loss with a Sweet 16 finish, their best since 1999. They’ll get another crack at Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks, including two of the best players in the country junior A’ja Wilson and senior Alaina Coates, and look to carry momentum from a potential win into conference play.

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