Friday, February 12, 1999
Either UCLA, USC must face first loss of season
W.TENNIS: Bruins, Trojans expect heated rematch
of November tournament
By Audrey Jing
Daily Bruin Contributor
An ancient rivalry heats up when two undefeated teams hit the
courts in Los Angeles. The No. 8 UCLA women’s tennis team travels
across town to take on No. 13 USC Saturday at noon in an attempt to
extend its winning streak to six.
"It’s going to be a big one because it’s USC," coach Stella
Sampras said. "They’ve done pretty well so far. We’re looking
forward to it."
Last season the Bruins went 2-0 against the Trojans, recording
twin 5-4 wins to narrow the all-time series record to 27-30.
Familiar faces will likely clash on the court, as the Bruins and
the Trojans split titles at the preseason International Tennis
Association Regional tournament in November.
UCLA’s Cristina Popescu got a taste of what Southern Cal No. 1
Ditta Huber offers, when Huber defeated Popescu in a close 6-4, 7-6
in the finals. The doubles championship went to Bruins Annica
Cooper and Amanda Basica, who defeated Huber and Kara Warkentin
6-1, 7-6.
But UCLA knows it does not have an easy road ahead. Huber is
ranked 13th in the fall ITA rankings while Warkentin is tied for
48th. Jacqui Boyd checks in at No. 83 in singles while Huber and
Warkentin hold the No. 30 doubles ranking.
"They have very good players – especially in the top three,"
Popescu said. "It’s gonna be tough and there will be some hard
matches, but we’re used to it. We’ll just fight hard and give it
our best."
The Bruins are confident coming into the contest. They are
coming off a five-match winning streak that includes big wins over
No. 15 Pepperdine and No. 12 Arizona State. The singles lineup is
also on a roll, having dropped only four matches total in five
contests.
The Bruins have added strength in doubles as well. Cooper and
Basica are 15-2 this season, and Popescu and freshman Petya
Marinova are 4-0.
"We’re getting stronger in every position – both singles and
doubles," Basica said. "We should do pretty well down there."
USC is currently 6-0 in dual matches after Monday’s 7-2 win over
Colorado. Both teams are 2-0 in Pac-10 play.
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