MIKE CHIEN Sophomore Sara Walker follows
through in a match against ASU last month.
By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Contributor
If history repeats itself, UCLA is in excellent position for
today’s match against UC Irvine.
The Bruins’ all-time record against the Anteaters is an
astounding 27-2. Although UCI may bring an underdog’s
fighting spirit, UCLA will be coming in with confidence.
The team has had a great start to the season, moving up in the
rankings from No. 9 to No. 7 after beating Arizona and Arizona
State last weekend. UCI, by contrast, is ranked No. 53.
Despite the disparity in rankings, UCLA is taking the match
seriously.
“We take every match one at a time,” head coach
Stella Sampras said. “It’s going to be a good match for
us to get back after having a week off.”
The match will also serve as preparation for Saturday’s
match against No. 10 Pepperdine in Malibu, giving them a chance to
improve.
“Their game is constantly a work in progress,” UCLA
assistant coach Jon Reeves said.
However, Reeves is confident that the team can win.
“The strength of this team is the camaraderie and that
they’ve got a lot of fight,” he said.
The lineup is subject to change because No. 3 senior Zana
Zlebnik may have fractured her back. Zlebnik has been
rehabilitating for two weeks and is not sure whether she will play.
If she does not play, the rest of the lineup will move up by one
spot.
Zlebnik struggled in the Arizona and Arizona State matches,
losing 6-1, 6-4 and 6-1, 6-2, respectively. However, she feels that
the scores don’t reflect her game.
“I played well against Arizona, although result-wise they
weren’t as good,” Zlebnik said. “I just hope to
get some good matches in.”
Zlebnik’s absence would also affect doubles play, where
she plays with sophomore Sara Walker. The No. 1 UCLA doubles team
will play the undefeated UCI team of Jonni Seymour and Darian
Chappel, who have won 16 consecutive matches dating back to last
season.
“We always want to improve on doubles,” Sampras
said. UCLA swept the doubles in their match against Arizona but
lost the doubles point against Arizona State.
Because tennis is such an individual sport, Sampras takes an
individual approach in preparing the team for singles.
“It is important for each player to think about the
development of their game, to figure out how to win,” she
said.
It is just that development that UCI will have to face
today.