Victorious Bruins clip Rice Owls’ wings

Monday, March 1, 1999

Victorious Bruins clip Rice Owls’ wings

MTENNIS: UCLA’s record vs. non-Pac-10 opponents perfect; USC
next match

By Dave Denicke

Daily Bruin Contributor

Despite the spectacular start to the season for UCLA (12-1),
there are still questions surrounding the lineup.

After the Bruins’ drubbing of the Rice Owls, the doubles tandem
of Jason Cook and Brandon Kramer – ranked ninth in the country –
made their bid to play in the top position.

"We’ve already proven ourselves. Coach Martin knows we’re
capable of it (playing No. 1 doubles)," said Cook. "Grinda and Jong
are a good team as well, but if Martin gives us the go, then we’re
in there."

The ninth-ranked duo responded to a rare No. 1 appearance with a
win over the Owls’ 18th ranked combination of Efe Ustundag and
Shane Stone, 8-5.

The play of Cook and Kramer has made head coach Billy Martin’s
job a bit more difficult, especially given Jong-Min Lee’s recent
rash of injuries. "I’m just not sold on who our best team is. I
feel like we have two No. 1 teams," said coach Martin.

While UCLA’s doubles play set the tone for the afternoon,
winning all three matches, singles play determined the match.

Brandon Kramer dispatched his opponent faster than you can say
Prakash Venkataraman, to give UCLA a 2-0 lead. The junior from
Reno, Nevada won 6-0, 6-1.

"He was a little psyched out that he was playing UCLA. I felt
like no matter what he did, the guy couldn’t hurt me," said
Kramer.

Marcin Rozpedski quickly followed Kramer off the court, thanks
to a 6-1, 6-1 victory, and then Jean-Noel Grinda put the cling wrap
over the Owls, overcoming No. 17 Ustundag 6-3, 6-4.

Grinda also teamed up with his third doubles partner of the
year, Zach Fleishman, and cruised to an 8-2 victory.

On court three, Cook made things interesting. After winning the
first set 6-2, the second set got a bit tighter, with Cook needing
two breaks of serve against Fabion Giraud to take to take the
second set 7-5.

"He started playing better, but I had a mental let down. That’s
been the history of my four years of college tennis, so I guess I’m
keeping it a tradition now," said Cook.

In all, UCLA won five of the six singles matches and all three
doubles contests. UCLA has not lost to a non-conference opponent
this year, posting a 10-0 mark outside of Pac-10 action.

UCLA will get a chance to improve on its 2-1 conference mark
with a trip to the land of Troy this Wednesday. Less than three
weeks ago UCLA handed Southern Cal their only loss of the year,
5-2.

The big difference for this match will be the hostile road
environment.

"I feed off of it. I like the hostile crowds," said senior Cook.
"I just have to control myself not to peg a ball into the stands
and try to hit someone. But it’s not a new thing with
‘SC."GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Jean-Noel Grinda, currently ranked 14th in men’s college tennis,
beat his opponent from Rice in straight sets on Saturday.

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