W. tennis hosts
Huskies, Waves
in weekend tilts
By Chris Isidro
One week after clashing with the top teams in women's tennis, No. 7 UCLA could use a breather. But this weekend will be no pit stop for the Bruins.
UCLA hosts Washington and Pepperdine at the Los Angeles Tennis Center as the Bruins resume their dual match schedule after finishing second at the National Team Indoor Championships at Madison, Wisc.
The Bruins, who survived four bruising matches at the tourney, took several days off from practice this week.
"We were just worn out, mentally and physically," said UCLA head coach Bill Zaima.
The Huskies, winless in two meetings against UCLA, play Saturday at 1 p.m. Unranked Washington features freshman Erica Stoloff, 75th in the nation.
Though the Huskies don't look to threaten the Bruins, No. 9 Pepperdine has other plans when they take the courts Sunday at 1 p.m. The Waves finished seventh in Madison, highlighted by a 5-4 upset victory over No. 6 Duke without their No. 2 player Sonja Olejar.
Despite the Waves 48-48 cumulative match record this season, Pepperdine is coming on of late, toppling No. 11 USC and No. 16 Mississippi on consecutive days.
"The upset win over Duke should help us in the rankings," Waves head coach Gualberto Escudero said. "We started the season slowly, but have since beaten five teams in the Top 20."
UCLA holds a 25-5 record over Pepperdine. However, the Waves, who finished fifth in the final polls, split their two meetings last season against the Bruins.