Wednesday, February 5, 1997
M. TENNIS:
Taino, fellow teammates serve up incredible performancesBy Mark
Shapiro
Daily Bruin Staff
If this match establishes a pecking order, then the UCLA men’s
tennis team will be one of the first at the feeding trough.
In a showdown with sixth-ranked Pepperdine University in Malibu
on Tuesday, the second-ranked Bruins (5-1) came up with a 7-0
thumping of the Waves in one of those victories that can define a
season.
After an early season where they lost their first dual match in
over a year and had trouble finding their form amidst the rain, the
Bruins earned back the confidence that had been a bit shaky coming
in.
"This was a great victory for us and one that will give us that
shot in the arm," UCLA head coach Billy Martin said. "As
disappointing as the Boise St. loss was, this was just as
good."
Right from the start the rout was on as Pepperdine’s vaunted
doubles lineup surrendered the first point of the match with little
more than a whimper.
UCLA’s Eric Lin and Kevin Kim had only a few anxious moments
against the second-ranked doubles team in the nation of Troy Budgen
and Brad Sceney, while Matt Breen and Alex Decret made short work
of their opponents, 8-2.
It was the No. 2 doubles match that highlighted the evening. as
seniors Eric Taino and Jason Thompson came up with a truly
memorable performance in their 8-3 victory.
"This was incredible," Martin said. "Taino and Thompson were
incredible. This was one of the best doubles matches I’ve seen
played in college."
Riding high on that wave, the Bruins cruised through the singles
matches to close out their evening.
In the featured match of the evening , Taino took on 19th-ranked
Simon Aspelin at No. 1 singles.
There really wasn’t much to watch as Taino made short work of
his much-feted foe, 6-4, 6-2.
The results were much the same the rest of the way down the
singles ladder. Breen, Kim and Vincent Allegre all captured
three-setters while Decret and Jason Cook both rolled to straight
set victories.
With the meat of their schedule on the horizon, including a
title defense at the National Team Indoors in Louisville two weeks
away, Tuesday’s victory came at a perfect time.
"We started off on a high note," Martin said. "This gives us
confidence."
ASUCLA Photography
Talented Bruin senior Eric Taino