W. tennis set upon revenge against Tigers this afternoon
Team hungers for redemption after last year's ugly loss
By Hye Kwon
Daily Bruin Staff
As the UCLA women's tennis team gets ready to face Pacific today at 1:30 p.m., it is haunted by the ghost of seasons past. The Bruins have endured some painful losses to the lowly Tigers over the years, but last season's 5-3 debacle should rank right up there at the top of the ghastly list.
It is true that the Bruins were less than healthy for that match and had to default at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles positions because of injuries. But the injury excuse offered little consolation for the Bruins, who have taken it upon themselves to get revenge.
"It was an embarrassing loss for us last year," UCLA assistant coach Stella Sampras said. "We still remember that match clearly and we want to get revenge badly."
This afternoon, UCLA (8-2) will get a chance to avenge that loss when it takes on Pacific at the Sunset Courts. Like last year, the Tigers come into Westwood as big underdogs. Thus far in the season, Pacific has accumulated a 1-7 record, which has prompted cries of "overrated" for its preseason ranking of 43rd.
The Tigers have dropped matches against Arizona State, Pepperdine and Washington State - all teams that UCLA has beaten this year. Considering that fact, the Bruins should have no problems this afternoon. Then again, that was the pre-game prediction for last year's match.
Of the six Tigers that normally see action, the only player who has a winning record at any position is Marsa Kuurne at the top slot. Kuurne started the season at the No. 4 spot, but she replaced the winless Bente Grina and has won her last three matches at the No. 1 slot.
For No. 7 UCLA, confidence is soaring after a good showing at the National Indoors last weekend. The Bruins finished the tournament with a 2-1 record - the only loss coming to No. 1 Florida. A demolition of No. 12 South Carolina and a convincing win over No. 4 Georgia comprised the two victories.
Defending NCAA champion Keri Phebus looked like herself in the tournament, defeating two ranked opponents: Tina Samara of Georgia and No. 3 Jill Craybas of Florida. Paige Yaroshuk also fared well, as she defeated 17th-ranked Anne Chauzu.
As good a brand of tennis as Phebus and Yaroshuk are playing, the hottest Bruin is Stephanie Chi. Chi, who has played all 10 dual matches at the No. 3 spot, has yet to drop a match. Furthermore, at the National Indoors, Chi sailed through her opponents with three straight-set matches.
"That's what we expect from Stephanie," Sampras said. "She's not ranked high because she didn't play in the preseason tournaments. If she did, she'd be right up there."
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