This post was updated Jan. 23 at 5:07 p.m.
Striving to parallel last season’s undefeated record at home will be a tall order for the Bruins.
But the team made its first step towards repeating perfection Tuesday.
Coming off a 13-0 home record in 2024, No. 6 UCLA women’s tennis (1-0) opened its dual-match season against Loyola Marymount (0-3) with a 7-0 shutout at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. The Bruins extended their home winning streak to 18 matches – dating back to Mar. 31, 2023.
“You get that energy here,” said coach Stella Sampras Webster. “Energy is huge in college tennis because it’s all about momentum changes.”
Doubles play started strong for the Bruins, with junior Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer and sophomore Ahmani Guichard winning their set against Camilia Samel-Druz and Kim-Michaela Zahraj 6-2.
After four games, No. 6 seniors Kimmi Hance and Elise Wagle found themselves knotted at two against Fiona Arrese and Isabella Tcherkes-Zade.
“Kimmi and I historically may not start our best,” Wagle said. “Unfortunately, we’ve been in those situations before, and we have something to focus on … It’s having that mindset and continuing to try and get to that level of play that we know we can get to.”
Hance and Wagle only lost one of the next five games, ultimately securing the doubles point 6-3.
For good measure, No. 4 freshmen Olivia Center and Kate Fakih took down Anastasia Bozova and Stefania Rogozinska-Dzik 6-4.
“In the beginning, I felt like I came out a little bit nervous in doubles,” Center said. “What really helped me in these matches was just to focus on the point in front of me.”
Center carried that focus into singles – steamrolling past Grace Balasian in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.
“It was the first season match ever for me, but it was really fun and exciting, and there was so much good energy,” Center said. “I’m excited to go again.”
Two and a half hours into the match, all courts had been settled and in favor of the Bruins. Well, all but one.
On court one, Hance – who had fallen in her first set to Rogozinska-Dzik 6-3 – won the tiebreaker of her second set 7-6 (4), forcing a third.
Hance’s teammates, who gathered on court two, cheered her name from the sidelines through a decisive third and final set.
“The team cares about each other so much. It’s a really special chemistry with this team,” Sampras Webster said. “I’m sure Kimmi appreciated that kind of energy from her teammates and even people in the stands.”
And chants morphed into celebration when Hance clinched the third set 10-4 to put the nail in the Bruins’ shutout.
“Every point is important, and every match is important,” coach Sampras Webster said. “It’s just nice to win.”
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