The UCLA women’s tennis team fell a few points short of a championship sweep in the Wilson/ITA Southwest Regionals on Monday.
After the tandem of senior Yasmin Schnack and junior Andrea Remynse won the doubles title on Sunday, Schnack was set to play for the singles title on Monday against USC’s Maria Sanchez, who took out Remynse in the semifinals.
However, Schnack was unable to avenge the defeat of her doubles partner, coming up short against Sanchez in three sets, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.
Schnack expressed her disappointment in defeat after the match, commenting that her own mistakes were what made the difference.
“I was kind of pressing and going for too much too soon,” Schnack said. “But she definitely didn’t just beat me, I gave her more than a few mistakes. It’s definitely disappointing.”
UCLA coach Stella Sampras Webster seconded Schnack’s notions, saying that the senior had her chances to take over the match.
“Yasmin is obviously playing at a high level, and she had some opportunities to win today,” Sampras Webster said. “She just couldn’t convert them.”
But Sampras Webster was far from getting down on her senior captain, knowing that Schnack’s experience and leadership will play a vital role in the Bruins’ success this season.
“She’s really going to set the tone for our team and going to be our leader,” Sampras Webster said. “Her work ethic and commitment is what you want in a player and in a leader, and we want to continue to get that from her.”
Despite Monday’s loss, Sampras Webster is more than satisfied with the Bruins’ performance in the preseason tournament.
“Overall it was a great performance by the Bruins,” Sampras Webster said. “Yasmin and Andrea proved they are a great doubles team.”
“We had some good wins and most importantly, our players got to compete,” she added.
And Schnack, despite her disappointing defeat, could not help but express her optimism about what lies ahead for the Bruins.
“We had a good showing,” Schnack said. “Although we had a couple tough losses, I know we have such a good team, so I’m really excited.”