Tuesday, February 3, 1998
Undefeated Bruins, Waves meet in match of local rivals
M.TENNIS Pepperdine match will provide tough competition for ’98
team
By Stephanie Chan
Daily Bruin Contributor
In a head-to-head competition between two undefeated teams, one
team has to lose. If weather permits, that team will be determined
today as the No. 2 UCLA (5-0) tennis team faces the No. 12
Pepperdine (7-0) team.
This match is not only about the teams’ current records. It is
about the past, present and future records in this match-up of
local rivals.
The Bruins have the lead in the history books, with a record of
35-12 against the Waves since 1967.
Last year,UCLA and Pepperdine split, each winning on the other’s
home court.
In their first 1997 match-up, the Bruins waved good-bye to
Pepperdine, 7-0. In the second match, the local crown was passed to
the Waves. They defeated the Bruins 4-3.
The Bruins’ 1997 loss, however, took place without the services
of then No. 1 position player Eric Taino and No. 6 position player
Jason Cook.
The Bruins might be facing the same absences this year. Taino
has graduated and Cook’s status is doubtful after he fell on his
wrist last week in practice.
This 1998 Bruin team will look to veterans Vince Allegre, Matt
Breen, Alex Decret, Brandon Kramer, freshman Jean-Noel Grinda and
redshirt freshman Chris Sands to raise the team’s record to
6-0.
The Pepperdine tentative line-up features only three returners
from last year, Mike Jessup, No. 35 Brad Sceney and Anthony
Ross.
In last year’s dual matches, Decret defeated Sceney, 6-4, 6-4;
Cook defeated Ross, 7-5, 6-4; Jessup defeated Decret, 6-2, 6-7,
6-2; and Breen defeated Sceney, 6-2, 7-5.
But history is history, and this is now. If the Waves’ arrival
is not matched by additional splashes of rainwater, the Los Angeles
Tennis Center will become the battleground for local bragging
rights.