Playing in their second match in as many days, the No. 8 UCLA women’s tennis team steamrolled No. 15 Fresno State, 6-1 Thursday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
Despite the back-to-back matches, the team looked in top condition and at times outlasted the Bulldogs (3-4) when endurance counted the most.
UCLA was coming off an unexpectedly close 4-3 victory over Pepperdine on Wednesday, but they handled the stronger Bulldogs with less trouble, clinching all but one singles match.
Fresno State boasted two of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s top 15 doubles tandems, including the top-ranked duo of Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova, but the Bruins took the doubles point.
UCLA sophomore Andrea Remynse and junior Yasmin Schnack, ranked No. 6 nationally by the ITA, handed Fresno State’s top team their first loss of the season, winning 8-5. It was smooth sailing for the Bruins from there.
“They definitely played great tennis, and to beat that team, they had to play well,” coach Stella Sampras Webster said of her No. 1 doubles team.
“They’re really showing that they’re a solid No. 1 team that can beat anyone in the country.”
The Bruins went on to win the next five singles matches. Senior Ashley Joelson ceded the only point of the day to the Bulldogs when she came up just short of another comeback win, falling to Fresno State’s Tinesta Rowe 6-4, 3-6, (10-2).
Schnack continued her hot streak in singles, sweeping the Bulldogs’ Melanie Gloria 6-0, 6-3. Schnack has yet to lose in singles this year, amassing a 10-0 record, with her last three victories at the No. 1 spot usually occupied by Remynse.
“Andrea’s been hurt, so we’re trying to get her back in the lineup,” Sampras Webster said. “Yasmin’s playing really well, so it was a good opportunity for Yasmin to play (No. 1).”
Remynse played singles on Thursday for the first time since injuring her groin in practice early last week, immediately following the National Team Indoor Championships. She beat Petukhova 6-3, 7-6(6-3).
But for the Bruins, the most important thing gained on the day was confidence. After losing to two top teams at the Team Indoors, the relatively easy win over the Bulldogs reassured them.
“I think our players just came out really focused, and I think the doubles point set the tone for our match today,” Sampras Webster said.