Most incoming collegiate tennis players enroll at their schools in the fall. They spend their first quarter or semester adjusting to their new lifestyles while adapting to a different level of competition in individual tournaments.
But not UCLA women’s tennis sophomore transfer Gabby Andrews.
The Pomona, California, native was around 16 years old when the Bruins first recruited her, coach Stella Sampras Webster recalled. After consideration, Andrews elected to spend a year at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, before coming to Westwood.
Despite using a year of NCAA eligibility at a junior college, Andrews says her intention was always to get to UCLA.
“UCLA was always my dream school,” Andrews said. “I wanted to challenge myself not only on the tennis court but academically and I thought UCLA was a good place to be for that.”
With the addition of Andrews and other first-year players for UCLA, freshman Ena Shibahara and redshirt freshman Jada Hart, Sampras Webster said she feels confident in the young lineup, and expects Andrews to be a key asset for the team.
“She is very key to our success. We’re definitely invested in her,” Sampras Webster said. “We knew that coming in it was going to take some time for her to feel comfortable and we’re excited to see how she’ll improve and get better and (we) believe that she will get better as the season goes on.”
At Tyler in the 2015-2016 season, Andrews was an All-American in singles and doubles, an ITA Collegiate All-Star and the ITA JUCO Region II Rookie of the Year. This year, however, she has lost both of her matches.
Even before playing a match or even coming to UCLA, Andrews knew the transition was going to be tough. Although her experience at a junior college would be similar, she said she understood that playing with the Bruins was going to be new.
“I knew the transition was going to be tough, trying to balance school and tennis,” Andrews said. “Coming from a JC, I knew it was going to be completely different.”
Junior Kristin Wiley has paired with Andrews for doubles play this season, posting a 2-0 record together.
Although not knowing one another may have had some initial effects, Wiley said the relationship between the two partners is solid and off to a good start.
“We didn’t know each other before so we just kind of had to figure it out,” Wiley said. “We hadn’t really practiced together but I think we play well together. We get along well off the court so I think that carries on the court.”
While the awe and angst of the transition may have worn off, Andrews is still getting accustomed to smaller details at UCLA. She said her school performance is keeping pace, and she can look forward to the season’s challenges.
“I’m pretty situated,” Andrews said. “Next quarter I have different classes in buildings I don’t know but so far I feel pretty adjusted. Before I was trying to get a handle on all my classes, but now I’m just pretty much looking forward to our upcoming matches.”
The Bruins will play UC Santa Barbara and Saint Mary’s on Feb. 3 and 4, respectively, at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center.