MOST IMPROVED FEMALE ATHLETE: LAURA GORDON

Upon arriving in Westwood four years ago, Laura Gordon embarked
on what would become one of the greatest climbs in UCLA
women’s tennis history.

Beginning her career on a team full of scholarship athletes and
several big names as a mere walk-on, Gordon was cast into the
shadows of her peers.

But in the last year alone, the senior worked her way out, and
took the main stage with great success ““ playing at the No. 1
singles position.

“When I saw all the people playing No. 1 my first few
years, I thought they were all on another level and I never
pictured myself as being on that level,” Gordon said.

In the space of one year, the Colorado native jumped five
positions to accomplish the feat in shocking fashion.

After guiding the Bruins to the third round of the NCAA
Championships this season, Gordon received praise from Florida
coach Roland Thornqvist, who said he hadn’t seen any past
player improve to that degree, and in the time Gordon had while at
UCLA.

Her energetic style and sheer power helped propel her to a No.
17 national ranking in singles, and push her teammates, who fed off
the energy emanating from court No. 1.

“It helps me to know that people are counting on
me,” Gordon said.

In the past, Gordon struggled to carry her dominant form through
the entirety of the match.

“She’s always had a lot of power, but she was only
able to play at a high level for a set or a set-and-a-half in the
past,” UCLA coach Stella Sampras Webster said. “But now
she’s been able to maintain that level for a longer period of
time.”

Through the course of the season, Gordon was able to compile an
impressive 25-13 record, with all but two of the losses coming to
players ranked within the top 20 nationally.

“We’ve got some big shoes to fill next year because
she has been the rock of this team,” Sampras Webster
said.

Compiled by Ajaybir Behniwal, Bruin Sports senior
staff.