With its eyes set on hosting a regional in May’s NCAA Tournament, the men’s tennis team must use every opportunity to pick up wins over inferior competition. This weekend presents two chances, as No. 15 UCLA (11-6, 2-0 Pac-12) hosts two of the Pac-12’s weakest teams, Arizona (8-13, 0-2) and Utah (10-8, 0-2). Riding a […]
Author Archives: Matt Cummings
Men’s tennis finds promise in 4-1 loss to USC
It always hurts to lose to a rival. But for the UCLA men’s tennis team, Saturday’s 4-1 road loss to No. 5 USC provided signs of encouragement. “I’m not super disappointed – I don’t like losing to them but I know they’re a great team,” said coach Billy Martin. “I think we’re close. I mean, […]
Pacific Coast tournament serves as encouragement for doubles team
Relaxation was the word for the doubles pair of junior Karue Sell and sophomore Joseph Di Giulio this past weekend. Playing at the beachside Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship tournament in La Jolla, UCLA’s No. 2 doubles team reached the semifinal, thanks to a calm and collected attitude that mirrored the feel of the whole […]
Men’s tennis wins singles, doubles points for 5-0 victory over Tulsa
Just three days earlier, senior Dennis Mkrtchian had collapsed on the sideline of the second court with a high heart rate, feeling lightheaded as the trainers hovered over him in the middle of his match against Stanford. He said he didn’t know where he was at one point. Tuesday was much different for the Bruin […]
UCLA men’s tennis triumphs 5-2 over Stanford
Down a point in the tiebreaker of the first set, Martin Redlicki called a let. After serving, the UCLA freshman had seen a ball roll onto the court behind his opponent, Stanford’s David Wilczynski. But Wilczynski claimed the ball had already been there before Redlicki’s serve. Within moments, Stanford coach Paul Goldstein lost a protest […]
Men’s tennis prioritizes determination in effort to end losing trend
Billy Martin didn’t mince words. “I’m tired of talking about positives,” said the UCLA men’s tennis coach. “The positive is that we got to start playing better and winning. No excuses. We really got to step up.” The No. 12 Bruins’ road loss in Waco, Texas, to the No. 5 Baylor Bears (8-2) on Sunday […]
Men’s tennis looks to prove itself against No. 5 Baylor Bears
Senior Dennis Mkrtchian is well aware of the rivalry between UCLA and Baylor tennis. During his four years at UCLA, Mkrtchian has grown accustomed to the Bears’ gritty playing style. “They’re a fighting team, they’re as physical as it comes,” Mkrtchian said. “They love to grind, they love to make you hit a million balls […]