Tuesday, February 18, 1997
M. TENNIS:
UCLA puts fears to rest with stellar play, wise lineup changesBy
Mark Shapiro
Daily Bruin Staff
It has been an interesting ride for that curiosity known as the
UCLA men’s tennis team.
Going into this weekend’s matches against Arizona and Arizona
State, the Bruins (8-1) were fighting to end the schizophrenia that
has characterized their early season play.
A few examples: Contrast a 4-3 loss to 12th-ranked Boise State
with a 7-0 stomping of sixth-ranked Pepperdine, or a No. 1 doubles
team that can lose two of three dual match contests and then take
the National Indoor Title. Or, how about a singles lineup that has
had different occupants at every slot except No. 1 and a doubles
lineup that can blow the fences off against Pepperdine’s vaunted
lineup and then almost blow the doubles point to Santa Barbara?
If this weekend is any indication, the Bruins have put this
behind them and are heading in the right direction.
Not only did UCLA win both matches handily, but it did it with
the same lineup and with consistent play up and down the
lineup.
On the eve of the first match, the concern was that the
inconsistent play would manifest itself in one form or another over
the weekend. A 7-0 victory over Arizona and a 5-2 victory over
Arizona State went a long way toward putting those fears to
rest.
With a revamped lineup, the Bruins disposed of their foes from
the desert. No. 1 Eric Taino went 2-0 over the weekend as he posted
straight-set victories both days, dropping a total of six games
along the way.
Defying the idea that merit allows for a rise, heavy hitting but
inconsistent Alex Decret moved into the No. 2 singles spot with
Matt Breen sliding to No. 4. Both players justified the move after
neither one dropped a set over the weekend.
Freshman Kevin Kim also went undefeated over the weekend,
posting a pair of victories.
Sophomores Vincent Allegre and Jason Cook split their weekend
matches at the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. After they
both won against Arizona, they were upended against the Sun Devils,
with both matches going three sets.
JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin
Eric Taino lets partner Jason Thompson handle a ball vs.
ASU.