W. tennis: Women’s tennis breaks four-game winning streak with heavy singles losses

The women’s tennis team saw their four-game winning streak
slowly crumble before their eyes yesterday in Austin, Texas. After
a tough battle, No. 13 Texas (4-1) defeated No. 8 UCLA (6-4)
4-3.

Though the Bruins were able to secure the doubles’ point,
they could not hold on to win three of the six singles matches.

The loss in singles play could be attributed to the injuries of
key freshmen Daniella Bercek and Alex McGoodwin.

However, head coach Stella Sampras Webster felt the team had
enough depth without these players to beat the Longhorns.

“We are definitely better with (Bercek and McGoodwin), but
we had faith and confidence in the team without them,”
Sampras Webster said.

With Bercek and McGoodwin sidelined, junior Lauren Fisher and
freshman Nina Yaftali were placed in the reconfigured singles
lineup.

Yaftali lost in two sets, while Fisher came out with a three-set
win.

Fisher and junior Sarah Gregg were the two Bruins able to secure
victories in singles play.

Both came back from a first-set loss to win their games. Fisher,
playing at the No. 4 position, won 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 and Gregg, playing
at No. 3 held on with a 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory.

The four losses for the Bruins came at the No. 1, 2, 5 and 6
positions. At No. 1, sophomore Jackie Carleton lost 6-4, 6-1.
Sophomore Laura Gordon, at No. 5, lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Yaftali,
playing at the No. 6 position, lost 6-2, 6-2. And in the final and
deciding match, at the No. 2 position, sophomore Feriel Esseghir
lost 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

During Esseghir’s match, some controversy arose. Esseghir
was given a point penalty for being in the bathroom for over the 90
second allotted time.

Although there was disappointment in singles play, the Bruins
were proud of their doubles performance. With the injuries of both
Bercek and McGoodwin, the match against the Longhorns was the first
time the No. 2 doubles team of Fisher and Gordon, and the No. 3
doubles, Yaftali and Gregg, had played a match together.

“Though we lost, there were definite positives that came
out of the game. This was the first time our No. 2 and 3 doubles
played together,” Fisher said.

Sampras Webster attributed the loss to the Longhorns to a lack
of conditioning.

“Players need to get in better shape. To win a three
setter, you need to be in good shape,” Sampras Webster
said.

The Bruins’ next match is at home against No. 12 USC this
Wednesday. The Bruins hope to beat the Trojans to stay undefeated
at home.