Team to meet its match vs. USC

Friday, February 12, 1999

Team to meet its match vs. USC

M.TENNIS: After sweeping USD, squad confident as it gets ready
to play No. 15 Trojans at home

By Dave Denicke

Daily Bruin Contributor

Hatfield against McCoy. Capulet against Montague. Bruin against
Trojan.

This Friday, the men’s tennis match against USC at the Los
Angeles Tennis Center not only pits two top-15 teams against each
other, it sets off a rivalry.

"It’s definitely not just another match. I marked this on my
calendar right when I got the schedule,"said freshman Zach
Fleishman. "We’re preparing for this a little harder."

On Wednesday, UCLA’s men’s tennis got into the right frame of
mind, sweeping the University of San Diego 7-0.

Since their match against Irvine had been scratched twice due to
rain, UCLA’s dual match against USD was the first competition for
the Bruins since New Mexico on Feb. 2.

"We looked a little rusty, and I expected that," said head coach
Billy Martin. "We’re a little behind on practice, but overall I’m
happy with the match (as we) get ready for ‘SC."

Despite blustery court conditions against San Diego, UCLA
completely dominated play. No Bruin lost a match in singles or
doubles, with senior Jason Cook needing only three sets to clinch
victory.

Among the first Bruins to wrap up his singles match, sophomore
Jean-Noel Grinda overcame swirling winds to defeat Rudy Rodriguez
6-1, 6-1.

"Today it didn’t affect me too much. We both played a serve and
volley game, so the wind didn’t blow around (the ball), like on
ground strokes," said Grinda.

Another sophomore, Chris Sands, dispatched of Torero Sean Cooper
6-2, 6-0. Sands is undefeated in dual play this year and posts a
6-0 record in singles.

"I just go out and give my best every day," said Sands. "I’ve
been down a couple of times, but you just keep fighting, and it’s
turned out for the best so far."

UCLA’s record this year is 5-1 in dual match competition. Its
only loss came at the hands of Arizona State. Southern Cal,
however, defeated ASU in Tempe, and Martin feels this victory
against Arizona State gives the Trojans an edge.

Said Martin, "They beat ASU, and we didn’t. You’d have to say
they deserve more respect than we do.

"I’m hoping my guys will come out with an attitude and take the
challenge to play USC. As of now, they (USC) have proven themselves
to be the better team of the two."

But if the rankings are any indication, then maybe the Bruins
deserve a little more credit than that. UCLA enters the match
ranked fifth in the nation, while Southern Cal is No. 15. Last
year, the Bruins won both matches 5-2 and still hold the all time
series edge of 48 to 29.

"It’s ‘SC. Anybody that’s grown up in Southern California knows
‘SC’s our big arch-rival," said Martin. "We usually have a really
good turnout, which makes it more exciting."

Doubles competition begins at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on
Friday at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free to UCLA students.

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