UCLA tennis teams starting to solidify lineups

Published: Thursday, December 1, 1994

Players compete for lineup spots as fall concludes

By Chris Isidro

The fall tennis schedule, while it won't even be a memory when the dual matches heat up, sorted a few things out for the UCLA men's tennis team.

The early tournaments provided a stage for Bruins who wanted to prove they belonged higher up on the ladder. Sophomore Eric Lin and junior Heath Montgomery made the most of their opportunities, hoping they emerge from the shuffle between the third and sixth positions.

"Montgomery and Lin were the two players who improved the most upon their games and it showed in their results," head coach Billy Martin said.

Lin, who played mostly No.6 singles last season, defeated two seeded players en route to a third round and quarterfinal appearance in the two fall tournaments the Bruins entered. Montgomery, No. 5 on last year's ladder, reached the quarterfinals in both tournaments and gave teammate Robert Janecek a difficult time in their match at the Rolex Invitational, taking him to three sets.

While the fall tourneys gave Martin some clues on how to shape the lineup, nothing is solidified. Two more tournaments loom on the horizon, giving Loren Peters and Rae Cho another opportunity to show their mettle. With recruiting for the Winter Quarter still in progress, the Bruins may have additional weapons at their disposal come January.

"The dual matches don't start until February, and I don't really have to make a decision until then," Martin said. "But the fall schedule helped sort out the ladder."

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The women's team built a great deal of momentum for the season ahead, notching victories in their two fall tournaments.

Keri Phebus continued to prove last season's run to the NCAA finals was no fluke, reaching the finals in both tournaments. At the All-American Tournament, she cruised by an elite field, toppling No. 1 ranked Lucie Ludvigova of Texas in the semifinals.

Jane Chi made her case for the top-spot on the Bruin team getting to the semifinals at the All-American and claiming the title at the Rolex Invitational after defeating Phebus in straight sets.

The true strength of the team, however, may lie at the bottom positions. Battle-tested veterans Paige Yaroshuk and Susie Starrett, who have both sparkled in preseason play, will anchor the middle of the lineup while Stephanie Chi and Anicia Mendez round out the starters.