Wednesday, November 18, 1998
Individuals shine in light of Regionals
RECAP: Strong outing overall includes singles finalist, doubles
championship
By Audrey Jing
Daily Bruin Contributor
While united it stands, the UCLA women’s tennis team does pretty
well divided too.
The Bruins showcased the strengths of their individuals before
the rest of the West at the ITA Women’s Tennis Regional Tournament
last week.
After sending all eight of its players into battle in both
singles and doubles competition, the Bruin team emerged with a
singles finalist, a doubles championship and many strong
performances for an impressive preseason showing.
"We had an excellent tournament," coach Stella Sampras said. "It
really showed that our players can be among the top in the nation
in the college rankings. The way our players played gives us some
confidence going into the season."
The tournament was a chance for the Bruins to get a feel for
their regional competition and get an indication of where they
stand in relation to the other teams. It was also an opportunity
for players to build individual results for their collegiate
rankings.
UCLA was established as a force not to be reckoned with from the
very start, as four Bruin players were seeded among the top six in
singles competition.
Third-seeded Christina Popescu and fifth-seeded Amanda Basica,
both back in action after suffering from shoulder injuries last
season, led the Bruin singles charge. Both powered through the
first four rounds before squaring off against each other in an
all-Bruin semifinal. Popescu defeated Basica 6-2, 5-7 6-2 to
advance to the finals.
The final round saw a crosstown matchup of Popescu and
fourth-seeded Ditta Huber of USC. Huber prevailed over Popescu 6-4,
7-6 for the win.
"I’m happy with my performance, even though the last match was
disappointing," Popescu said. "It was a long week and I’m pleased
with how good of a shape I’m in right now. It shows we’ve been
training well, and that’s good to know."
Victory, however, was still in the Bruins’ cards when doubles
action came around.
The fifth-seeded tandem of Basica and junior Annica Cooper took
the road to the finals, upsetting the third-seeded Arizona State
team of Allison Bradshaw and Alison Nash 6-1, 6-7, 6-2 in the
semifinals.
In the other semifinal match, USC’s seventh-seeded Huber and
Warkentin disposed of second-seeded Maggie Cole and Sarah Donovan
of San Diego State to set up another Bruin-Trojan final.
This final belonged to UCLA, however, with Basica and Cooper
taking the crown in a 6-1, 7-6 victory.
"We had a good tournament," Cooper said.
"I’m happy with how well we played the whole way through. We’ve
improved a lot since last year."
Other doubles action saw UCLA’s fourth-seeded 1997 All-American
duo of Katia Roubanova and Elizabeth Schmidt, and ninth-seeded
Brandi Freudenberg and Popescu both recording a second round win
before falling in the third round.
"Our doubles is getting better," Sampras said.
"I hope this year we’ll be able to pull a lot more matches with
our doubles."
With the completion of the ITA Regionals, the Bruins have an
empty schedule until the Milwaukee Tennis Classic, which runs Jan.
5 to 10.
The Bruin lineup consists of seven returning players and
freshman rookie Lindsay Taub. Key returners include Cooper, Basica,
Freudenberg, Popescu, Roubanova and Schmidt.
Last season the Bruins finished 5-3 in the Pac-10 and 17-11
overall. They tied for ninth place in the NCAA Championships and
ended the season ranked 14th in the nation.
"Fourteenth is not where we should be," Cooper said. "With
everyone back, there’s no where to go but up."DERRICK KUDO/Daily
Bruin Senior Staff
Annica Cooper and teammate Amanda Basica won their doubles
semifinal match at the Rolex Regionals competition in Irvine last
season.
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