Friday, February 28, 1997
W. TENNIS:
Team ready to face weekend matches vs. Boise State, LoyolaBy Christie DeBeau
Daily Bruin Contributor
After weeks of travelling, the UCLA women's tennis team can finally settle in at home. Today at 1:30 p.m., the Bruins will begin a four-match home stand at the LATC, competing against No. 22 Boise State. Following that match, the Bruins play again on Saturday at noon, facing 59th-ranked Loyola Marymount.
Returning from the USTA/ITA Women's National Indoor Collegiate Team Championships in Madison, where they tied for fifth, the Bruins are well-prepared and confident for the upcoming matches.
"The team is getting better and better. They're very eager, and they love to compete," UCLA head coach Stella Sampras said. "The players got the feel of what college tennis is about the spirit, the intensity, the hard work. It was a positive trip. We got to see where we stand. I'm pleased with how we came back after Duke to beat Pepperdine and get a little revenge."
The Bruins posted a 4-2 win over Pepperdine Sunday, avenging a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the eighth-ranked Waves earlier this season.
With two matches this weekend, UCLA does not have much time to bask in the glory of victory. The Bruins' upcoming matches are important, and they need to stay focused.
"Every match is important, (so) the players need to take them one at a time," Sampras said. "They need to continue to play their game and be up for the matches because these teams are out to get us. We need to be ready to start competing again."
Fatigue seems to be the biggest obstacle that UCLA will face in the matches ahead.
"A lot of us are a little tired after a long week, but I feel the team will be ready to play and will get more prepared for Arizona and ASU next week," Sampras said.