Advantage, Bradley

  KEITH ENRIQUEZ/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Though only a
freshman, Megan Bradley will be a key contributor
in the Bruins’ run at the NCAA title.

By Brian Kiley
Daily Bruin Contributor

Freshman Megan Bradley wasted no time eliminating any doubt that
she could compete at the collegiate level.

In her first tournament, the Adidas Invitational in September,
Bradley defeated All-American teammate Sara Walker 6-4, 6-3 in the
final to win the tournament.

“She’s not a typical freshman,” head coach
Stella Sampras said of her prized recruit. “She brings a lot
of experience.”

Bradley, a Columbia, Mo., native, finished the 2001 season as
the top-ranked junior in the United States and is considered the
top recruit in the nation.

Expectations are high for Bradley, who played doubles in the
U.S. Open last August, but she is ready to contribute to the
team’s success.

“I don’t look at (the expectations) as
pressure,” Bradley said. “Just as more of a
challenge.”

Bradley could have opted to turn pro, as players of her ability
often do at this point in their careers, but she decided she wanted
to experience college.

“The pro lifestyle is a very hard lifestyle,” she
said. “You’re away from your family and you miss out on
things that normal kids get to experience. I just thought I’d
give myself the opportunity to come here and see what I can do
academically and socially.”

Bradley, who hopes to major in communications, brings several
years of big tournament experience to UCLA. She was the singles
champion and a doubles semifinalist in the Girls 18s division at
the 2001 Easter Bowl, one of the most prestigious junior
tournaments in the nation. Bradley has also played in Junior
Wimbledon and the Junior U.S. Open. This fall, Bradley nearly upset
top-ranked Bea Bielik of Wake Forest in the Riviera All-American,
losing 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

“I know what it’s like to be in big matches,”
said Bradley. “I know what it’s like to have to pull
through on big points. I’ve been on teams before, and I think
in terms of leadership, I’ll be able to be there when my team
needs me.”

While she has played team tennis before, collegiate tennis is
still a big transition from the primarily individual junior
circuit. The camaraderie that comes with team tennis has made the
adjustment easier for Bradley.

“In college, everything is a lot more enjoyable,”
she said. “I actually enjoy coming to practice because I know
that there are seven other girls out there that are going through
the same thing I am. When I’m struggling I can just look over
and see that my teammates are struggling too. We’re all in
this together.”

Bradley’s outlook toward the team and the team’s
success is one thing that has got the attention of her coach and
teammates.

“She’s got an attitude, and not in a bad way,”
Sampras said. “She’s got a winning attitude.”

“She’s very motivating,” said sophomore Lauren
Fisher, who plays doubles with Bradley. “She works very hard
and is just a great team player.”

Walker, who along with Bradley is ranked in the top 10
nationally in singles, recognizes how much the addition of Bradley
will help the Bruins this season.

“She brings a lot of enthusiasm (to the team),” she
said. “She’s a strong player, so she’ll play near
the top of the lineup, which definitely will help. She’s just
a good addition to our team.”

Athletic success is nothing new to the Bradley family.
Megan’s father, Phil, played quarterback at the University of
Missouri and also played major league baseball. Her father’s
athletic experience has been very beneficial to Megan.

“He’s been very supportive,” she says.
“And he can tell me a lot about what it takes to make it to
the next level.”

The next level for Bradley is very clear. It is nothing short of
an NCAA title for UCLA.

“We have one of the deepest teams out there,” said
Bradley. “I just want us to believe that we can compete with
everyone because I really think that we can. I want us to just have
fun and do well.”