UCLA women’s tennis prepares to take on Miami at NCAAs

The UCLA women’s tennis team’s newest opponent in the NCAA championships, the University of Miami, is a familiar foe.

In fact, the Hurricanes’ coach used to be a Bruin.

Years ago, coach Stella Sampras Webster of UCLA acted as the assistant coach to Paige Yaroshuk-Tews of Miami during Yaroshuk-Tews’ time playing on the UCLA women’s tennis team. Now still good friends, the two coaches will meet on Thursday, this time on opposite sides of the net to watch their teams battle in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA championships.

“We know each other quite well, and our families know each other,” Sampras Webster said. “I know Paige is very competitive, and her teams are always very competitive, so we have to be ready to battle.”

This familiarity will give the No. 5 seed Bruins some idea of what to expect heading into the match against the No. 12 seed Hurricanes, and allow the Bruins to use their knowledge of the Hurricanes’ players to their advantage.

The last time the Bruins faced the Hurricanes, at ITA Indoor Championships last season, the Bruins celebrated a 4-2 win. However, in the 2009 season at the NCAA championships, the Hurricanes defeated the Bruins in a Sweet Sixteen match just like the one being played Thursday. The Bruins hope their familiarity with the team will help them start their winning streak against Miami.

“We can practice what we think they’re going to throw at us,” said sophomore Catherine Harrison. “It’s definitely an advantage as opposed to going into a match completely unknown.”

The team has been practicing since arriving in Athens, Ga. on Sunday in an effort to become acclimated to the unforgiving heat and humidity of the South. While several players are used to playing in such conditions, the team as a whole must be well-hydrated and prepared to prevent cramping and help decrease recovery times.

“We have to be prepared physically and mentally,” said junior Chanelle Van Nguyen. “Every one of these teams are good, and they’re going to fight for every point.”

UCLA Women’s Tennis: Three Keys to 111

As the fifth-seeded UCLA women’s tennis team begins NCAA Round of 16 play in Athens, Ga., take a look at three keys for the Bruins to pull off four straight wins and UCLA’s 111th national title.

1. Defend the Doubles Point

The Bruins gained their 25th consecutive doubles point of the season in the NCAA second-round match last weekend. UCLA brings to the table two of the top 10 doubles teams in the country, and their continued consistency is key to continued success in Athens.

2. Rest and Rehydrate

It seems like a given, but when facing the extreme heat and humidity Georgia provides, adequate sleep, stretching, time off the court and hydration are essential to winning games. Last year, fitness and recovery time lagged for the Bruins at the NCAA championships, but coach Stella Sampras Webster placed a great deal of emphasis on fitness and health this year in hopes of pushing the team over the hump.

3. Details, Details, Details

Details will prove to be especially important to the Bruins this upcoming week. While UCLA was ranked in the top five teams in the country for the majority of the season, in a tournament, it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference. From individualized workouts to increased focus on every decision a player makes mid-match, each player’s day must be tightly centered if the Bruins are to bring home a title.