The UCLA men’s tennis team is hoping to learn from
experience. That’s why, with more than two weeks remaining
before the Bruins begin play in the NCAA Tournament, the team is
working so hard on conditioning. “From my experience last
year, it’s really an exhausting event,” senior Kris
Kwinta said. “Whoever is better prepared physically is going
to win.” In last season’s NCAA championship match,
Baylor appeared to be the fitter team and cruised to an easy 4-0
victory over UCLA. The No. 6 Bruins (21-3) don’t want that to
happen again, and that’s why they’re so happy to have
several weeks to work on their conditioning before the tournament
begins. “I think it’s great,” senior Alberto
Francis said. “Now we can work a lot on fitness and try to
get ready for NCAAs. “In the finals last year we were a
little tired. I think we can be better this year.” Following
last weekend’s Pac-10 championships, the Bruins are back at
practice this week, considering the two-week layoff without
competitive tennis much more of a blessing than a burden. “I
want them to build up and recharge a bit,” coach Billy Martin
said. Play in the NCAA tournament begins May 14. The co-Pac-10
champion Bruins will likely host a regional, though the draw
won’t be released until May 4. Martin must submit his
finalized lineup for the NCAA tournament by Monday, May 2. And even
though competitive matches won’t be played for another two
weeks, there is plenty of work to be done. The goal is to be able
to play four complete matches in four successive days. The Bruins
know from experiences how demanding that can be. “The
important goal is the NCAAs, and that’s what we’re
focused on,” Kwinta said.
LOOKING BACK AT OJAI: The Pac-10 Championships, held last
weekend at Libbey Park in Ojai, were relatively forgettable for the
Bruins. Luben Pampoulov, ranked No. 5 in the country, didn’t
play because he was battling an illness, and Benjamin Kohlloeffel,
ranked No. 9, was concentrating on his studies. Of the four Bruins
who played in the main draw of the tournament, none progressed past
the round of 16. “I think everybody went there with more
expectations,” said Kwinta, who lost to Washington’s
Alex Slovic in the round of 16. “We just played too
relaxed.” Kwinta was most disappointed with doubles, where he
and Francis lost to Sam Warburg and KC Corkery, the No. 1 ranked
team in the country, in the semifinals. That loss came a week after
Francis and Kwinta had defeated the Stanford duo in Palo Alto.
Martin, however, wasn’t too concerned about his team’s
performance at Ojai. “I never feel that our intensity is the
same as it is for the team event,” he said. “I ask the
guys to give a little more for the team.”
SING THE SORROW: The men’s and women’s tennis teams
have been relegated to practicing on the back courts of the Los
Angeles Tennis Center as preparations are being made for Spring
Sing, which is this Friday. It’s something that Martin could
live without. “I always start fuming out my ears,” he
said jokingly. Martin said he has been asking for the last 10 years
for Spring Sing to be held the weekend that the tennis teams are at
the Pac-10 championships. His pleas have been unsuccessful.