Looking at the 7-0 UCLA women’s tennis team’s win
over UC Santa Barbara on the scoreboard, it might seem like the
Bruins spent an easy afternoon at the Los Angeles Tennis
Center.
But in fact, the Gauchos gave No. 12 UCLA more trouble than
could be imagined, with the Bruins committing unforced errors on
crucial points that kept them on court for longer than
necessary.
“I am happy with the way we competed but not with the way
we played,” UCLA coach Stella Sampras Webster said.
The Bruins were a stronger team, and even on a day when things
did not go entirely their way on the technical side, the team could
count on its experienced players to find a path to victory.
“We were stronger mentally and eventually made them
crack,” said No. 2-ranked Laura Gordon, who played her
doubles match but sat her individual match out because of an eye
infection.
Sampras Webster chose a different lineup than in the
Bruins’ previous match against Loyola Marymount, and despite
collecting the doubles point with three wins, she was not
completely satisfied with the team she chose.
“They really pushed us in two of the doubles, and I cannot
say that our No. 2 and No. 3 pairs are definite,” Sampras
Webster said.
The No. 1 pair, Riza Zalameda and Gordon, got off to a slow
start, with UCSB breaking UCLA’s serve in the first game. But
as the match went on they committed less errors and eventually won
8-3.
“It was a tough match but the more balls we get in, the
better we will get,” Gordon said.
The No. 3 doubles pair of sophomore Elizabeth Lumpkin and
freshman Ashley Joelson won its match, 8-1, while the No. 2 pair,
junior Alex McGoodwin and sophomore Tracy Lin, won its match, 9-8,
in a tiebreaker.
With Gordon out, the lineup was changed before the singles
matches, with freshman Anna-Viktoria Lind playing at No. 4 singles
for her first collegiate singles match. The Swede beat her opponent
6-0, 6-1, adjusting well to competing in vastly different
conditions than she is used to.
“I usually don’t play on outdoor hard court where
the ball bounces higher,” Lind said. “But I have
adjusted my game and it went well for me today.”
Lind also had to adjust to the team aspect of the sport, from
warming up all together to cheering her teammates on while
playing.
“I look at the scoreboard to see how they are doing and
above anything else, it motivates me to play among a team,”
Lind said.
Another freshman in the lineup, Ashley Joelson, convincingly
beat her opponent 6-2, 6-2, as the No. 6 player.
“I am very happy with the freshmen; it was a good day for
the Bruins,” Sampras Webster said.
UCLA will face Rice on Thursday, and the Owls will present a
greater challenge.
Sampras Webster reckons that the match against Rice will be
tougher than the previous two meets this season.
“It will be good for the team as we will be tested more
this time,” Sampras Webster said. “I know the assistant
coach very well as she played here so I am looking forward to
Thursday.”