Squad takes on Runnin’ Rebels at L.A. Tennis Center

 

By Gilbert Quiñonez
Daily Bruin Contributor

UNLV’s players might not be what prevents UCLA from
getting a victory today ““ the recent rainstorm could prevent
the match from taking place if it continues. Even worse, the team
has had limited practice time because of the rain.

“We need to get some covered courts,” UCLA
men’s tennis head coach Billy Martin said. “If we
don’t practice today (Monday), that would be three days with
no practice before a match. I know it’s a big wish, but we
need to keep up with the Joneses.”

This shouldn’t hurt the team too much, though.

“We’re ready,” said junior Jean-Julien Rojer.
“We practiced a bit over the weekend. It shouldn’t be a
problem.”

Another problem facing the Bruins is the possibility of looking
ahead to Friday’s match against USC.

“We have got to beat UNLV first before we can beat
USC,” said team captain Erfan Djahangiri, much to the
pleasure of Martin, who was smiling in the background.

The Bruins know the Runnin’ Rebels fairly well. Players
from both teams competed at the recent National Collegiate Tennis
Championships, with players from the two teams matching up against
each other eight times, UCLA winning seven of the eight.

  COURTNEY STEWART/Daily Bruin Junior Erfan
Djahangiri and the rest of the men’s tennis team takes on
No. 57 UNLV today at the L.A. Tennis Center. A few players also
have friends on UNLV’s team. Djahangiri is good friends with
Thomas Schneiter, UNLV’s No. 1 player.

“We are both from Switzerland, we grew up together, we are
about the same age,” he said.

Rojer also knows some players on the team.

“It’s always tougher to play your friends,”
Rojer said.

Considering the main factors, UCLA should win this match. UCLA
is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, coming off a 2-0
start.

This is No. 57 UNLV’s first match of the season. Also, it
is never easy to win at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, where the
Bruins have had a great home record over the years, going 13-1 last
year.

The starting lineup, which has been rotating this year, will be
decided at the time of the game.

“We have four guys that can play No. 1, and we’re
still trying new things for No. 2 and 3 doubles,” Martin
said.