M. tennis: Pampoulov's wins animate tennis team's lineup

Luben Pampoulov was never the card in UCLA’s back pocket. He was an ace of spades that everyone knew would turn the Bruins’ decent playing hand into a gem. But for the first three months of the season, it was a hand the Bruins could not play.

His insertion into the men’s tennis team’s lineup on April 2 immediately transformed a roster that opened the season with a mediocre 11-5 record. With Pampoulov, the team reeled off 11 straight victories before falling in the finals of the NCAA Championship.

He finished the season 8-2 in singles and paired with Phillip Gruendler to go 13-1 to capture the Pac-10 Championship in doubles.

If there was one match that signified his impact, it came at the end of the season against Illinois. The Fighting Illini had defeated a Pampoulov-less Bruin squad 4-0 in February, but in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, Pampoulov’s 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 win over Brian Stolt propelled the Bruins to a 4-2 victory.

With UCLA losing senior Tobias Clemens, Pampoulov is expected to take over the top spot next year.

It shouldn’t be too tough a transition for a player who is already one of the best cards in the deck.

Compiled by Andrew Finley, Bruin sports senior staff.