Of the three UCLA men’s and women’s tennis players who advanced in singles to Saturday’s NCAA individual tournament quarterfinals, just one survived to play another round.
No. 2 seeded junior Marcos Giron took a straight set win (6-1, 6-3) over California’s Ben McLachlan to earn a berth in Sunday’s semifinal round.
UCLA men’s tennis freshman Mackenzie McDonald and UCLA women’s tennis junior Chanelle Van Nguyen, however, weren’t as fortunate in their respective singles matches. McDonald dropped his match to Texas’ Soren Hess-Olesen (No. 9-16 seed), 6-3, 0-6, 6-2. On the women’s side, Van Nguyen (No. 9-16 seed) fell to Duke’s Ester Goldfield, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The losses brought both of the players’ seasons to an end. McDonald finished as one of the nation’s standout freshman, while Van Nguyen walked away as a key player on her team’s national championship run.
The only Bruin tennis player left competing, Giron, will face Hess-Olesen in Sunday’s semifinals.
Compiled by Chris Kalra, Bruin Sports senior staff.
