Bruins' growl meets Lobos' howl on courts
Bruins' growl meets Lobos' howl on courts
Montgomery's out, Muskatirovic's in for today's matchup
By Mark Shapiro
Daily Bruin Contributor
After a week's hiatus from dual match play and a grueling weekend tournament, the undefeated UCLA men's tennis team takes the court today to face the 15th-ranked University of New Mexico.
The No. 2 Bruins are riding a four-match winning streak into the contest, but will face their highest-ranked opponent thus far today at 1:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
"I think they're a good team," UCLA head coach Billy Martin said. "Their returning guys are pretty strong and they are a hard-fighting team and they are going to be pretty strong down the line."
To say that seniors Tad Berkowitz and Chris Treibly lead the Lobos on the court from their one and two positions, respectively, is a bit of a stretch, considering that they have yet to post a single victory in a dual match this year. Coming into today's match, they are both 0-2.
However, the Lobos defeated ninth-ranked University of South Alabama earlier this year.
Even with this ranking and early-season victory, UNM is not the kind of team that is striking fear into the hearts of the Bruins.
"We're probably the strongest against most teams at number two and three," Martin said. "At four, five and six, we should be able to hold our own. I want us to be relaxed, I don't think it will do us any good to be uptight and worry about an opponent that I think we should beat."
The Bruins' lineup will be similar to those they have fielded thus far, with one exception. Senior Heath Montgomery has been relegated to spectator status by a ankle injury he suffered over the weekend. In his stead will be freshman Brandon Kramer, who is 1-0 in his first campaign.
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Bruin Eric Taino made the biggest dent in the draw at last weekend's Palm Springs Invitational, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals where he came up against a Hill too steep to climb. Cal's No. 1, Michael Hill, that is.
Before losing, Taino cruised through his early matches, taking out two touring pros in the process.
"I won matches that I had to win easily," Taino said. "When it came to a tough match I wasn't able to keep that same level. I thought that I competed well, I didn't play well enough to beat (Hill). I know that it will come, I just need to play matches."
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The Bruin's No. 2, Srdjan Muskatirovic, was forced to miss the Palm Springs tournament all together due to some trouble with his right shoulder that flared up in the dual match against Boise State.
"There was no sense in trying to risk it," Martin said. "There was no need for him to push it and risk us losing him. It was a smart decision on his part."
After taking a few days to convalesce, Muskatirovic will be back at full strength for today's match.
SCOTT O/Daily Bruin
Bruins No. 2 Srdjan Muskatirovic nursed an injury last weekend in Palm Springs, but will play today against New Mexico at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
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