Monday, December 1st, 2008

W. tennis: Women’s tennis breaks four-game winning streak with heavy singles losses

The women’s tennis team saw their four-game winning streak slowly crumble before their eyes yesterday in Austin, Texas. After a tough battle, No. 13 Texas (4-1) defeated No. 8 UCLA (6-4) 4-3.

Though the Bruins were able to secure the doubles’ point, they could not hold on to win three of the six singles matches.

The loss in singles play could be attributed to the injuries of key freshmen Daniella Bercek and Alex McGoodwin.

However, head coach Stella Sampras Webster felt the team had enough depth without these players to beat the Longhorns.

“We are definitely better with (Bercek and McGoodwin), but we had faith and confidence in the team without them,” Sampras Webster said.

With Bercek and McGoodwin sidelined, junior Lauren Fisher and freshman Nina Yaftali were placed in the reconfigured singles lineup.

Yaftali lost in two sets, while Fisher came out with a three-set win.

Fisher and junior Sarah Gregg were the two Bruins able to secure victories in singles play.

Both came back from a first-set loss to win their games. Fisher, playing at the No. 4 position, won 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 and Gregg, playing at No. 3 held on with a 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory.

The four losses for the Bruins came at the No. 1, 2, 5 and 6 positions. At No. 1, sophomore Jackie Carleton lost 6-4, 6-1. Sophomore Laura Gordon, at No. 5, lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Yaftali, playing at the No. 6 position, lost 6-2, 6-2. And in the final and deciding match, at the No. 2 position, sophomore Feriel Esseghir lost 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

During Esseghir’s match, some controversy arose. Esseghir was given a point penalty for being in the bathroom for over the 90 second allotted time.

Although there was disappointment in singles play, the Bruins were proud of their doubles performance. With the injuries of both Bercek and McGoodwin, the match against the Longhorns was the first time the No. 2 doubles team of Fisher and Gordon, and the No. 3 doubles, Yaftali and Gregg, had played a match together.

“Though we lost, there were definite positives that came out of the game. This was the first time our No. 2 and 3 doubles played together,” Fisher said.

Sampras Webster attributed the loss to the Longhorns to a lack of conditioning.

“Players need to get in better shape. To win a three setter, you need to be in good shape,” Sampras Webster said.

The Bruins’ next match is at home against No. 12 USC this Wednesday. The Bruins hope to beat the Trojans to stay undefeated at home.