Marcin Matkowski & Jean-Julien Rojer | Men’s tennis, doubles
Olympic Update
Although Matkowski and his partner Agnieszka Radwanska were awarded the fourth seed in the mixed doubles tournament, they were eliminated in the first round by Australia in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Rojer met a similar fate in men’s doubles when he and his Dutch partner, Robin Haase, fell in the first round of men’s doubles to India in three sets, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2.
Westwood Reaction
“With every team there is that rivalry, but from day one we preached that our main goal was to win a team championship, and both Marcin and Julien bought into our philosophy. They were great team guys, and I never doubted for a minute their commitment to win as a team, which is why they have gone on to succeed in their careers.” said UCLA men’s tennis coach Billy Martin on the two former Bruins, who teamed up at UCLA to become the third Bruin pairing ever to win the ITA All-American Championship in 2001.
Rosie White | Women’s soccer
Olympic Update
Rosie White, a rising sophomore at UCLA, is the second youngest player on the New Zealand team by a mere 11 days. New Zealand went 1-2 in the group matches with a victory over Cameroon. New Zealand lost to Team USA, and White’s teammate from last year at UCLA, Sydney Leroux, in the first round.
Westwood Reaction
“Coming back from the Olympics she’s going to bring to our team that experience. There is nothing more nerve-racking than walking out on to a field, and there’s just so many fans, especially at the Olympics, so many nerves; she’ll bring that sense of calm. She is one of the favorite personalities of the team as well, she brings us all together, so we can’t wait to have her back,” said rising junior midfielder Sarah Killion.
Adam Wright | Men’s water polo
Olympic Update
Adam Wright and the USA Men’s water polo team are looking for redemption in this year’s Olympics after falling short in the 2008 Beijing Olympics to Hungary in the gold-medal game. Wright and the United States are 3-1 so far in London, with victories over Montenegro, Romania and Great Britain and a loss Saturday to Serbia. The top four teams from both six-team groups advance to the knockout stage of the competition. The loss to Serbia doesn’t affect the United States’ medal chances as they are second in their group. Wright’s participation in these Games marks his third trip to the Olympics. With the help of Wright, the United States will look to avoid deja vu of the 2008 Games when they play Hungary today.
Westwood Reaction
“If you watch the game, you constantly hear a voice constantly in the water telling the other people what to do, where they should be, that’s Adam. He is a coach in the water, a vocal leader and does all the dirty work that the team needs to succeed. … He is a serious competitor, which is why he loves the Olympics,” said UCLA men’s water polo assistant coach Daniel Leyson.
Sydney Leroux | Women’s soccer
Olympic Update
Sydney Leroux, who graduated last year, has proven herself a key component to the relentless attack of the U.S. women’s team. Her Olympic appearances in games played thus far have been as a substitute, a role in which she’s excelled. In the U.S.’ quarterfinal match against New Zealand ““ which Leroux’s former teammate and current Bruin, Rosie White, plays for ““ Leroux entered the game in the 81st minute and worked quickly, scoring her first and only goal of the tournament in the 87th minute to seal the U.S.’ 2-0 victory. The U.S. will meet Canada in the tournament’s semifinal today, a game in which Leroux will face her former teammate, Chelsea Stewart.
Westwood Reaction
“As a soccer player, I know she’s been dreaming about it since she was little, putting that gold medal around her neck. Sydney, being the youngest one on the team, and finally getting some playing time and getting her first goal today. I think a gold medal would just be the icing on the cake of what has been a really great year for her,” said Sam Mewis, rising sophmore midfielder.